Knowing carry-on rules will make holiday air travel easier

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Do you know what you can put in your carry-on bag?

Federal officials are hoping the predicted 25 million people who will move through U.S. airports over Thanksgiving know.

Transportation Security Administration chief Edmund "Kip" Hawley said TSA airport checkpoints will be "fully staffed around the country and ready to go," but passengers will play a big role in speeding up screening. (Watch Turkey Day travel tips -- 8:05 )

The key is for travelers to know the restrictions imposed after an alleged terror plot was uncovered in August to blow up several jets with liquid bombs.

TSA officials have imposed what they now call the 3-1-1 for Carry-ons rule. (TSA made a list, you're better off checking it twice)

Liquids, gels and aerosols in 3-ounce containers are allowed in carry-on luggage as long as they are in a 1 quart, clear plastic, zip-top bag. One bag per passenger can be placed in a plastic bin for screening.

No lighters are allowed on flights.

"This is not complicated," Hawley said. "If checking a bag, put it (liquids and gels) in your checked bag and you won't have to deal with it."

A full list of travel tips is available at www.tsa.gov.

Bag maker Hefty announced this week that it will provide than 1 million quart-size zip-top bags to major airports around the United States to help with holiday travel, The Associated Press reported. Glad Products Co. also is offering thousands of free bags to travelers, according to AP.

The airline industry defines the Thanksgiving holiday travel period as Friday, November 17 though Tuesday, November 28, said Jim May, president of the Air Transport Association, which represents the major airlines.

Some 2 million people will travel by air each day, with the busiest days being Sunday, November 26 and Monday, November 27, May said.

Planes are expected to be 80 percent full, he said.

The TSA offered these travel tips:

Remember the 3-1-1 carry-on restrictions.

Use the airline's Web site to check-in for your flight.

Travel with a valid government-issued photo ID.

Place all metal objects in a carry-on bag.

Put ID tags on all bags.

Remove destination tags from previous trips.

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