Fliers urged to do a better job packing

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- As the United States approaches its busiest travel days of the year, the government is urging air travelers to do a better job packing their carry-on bags.

The Transportation Security Administration says eliminating clutter and placing items neatly in carry-on luggage will translate into fewer minutes in security lines, USA Today reported Monday.

Called SimpliFLY. The TSA's campaign for better packing is aimed at speeding things up at the nation's airports.

TSA spokeswoman Ellen Howe says travelers with cluttered bags are more likely to be pulled aside by airport screeners who will have to search their carry-on by hand.

"If you eliminate clutter, it helps us get a cleaner look at the contents of a bag," Howe says, adding the faster the screener can figure out what's inside, the quicker he or she can clear it.

More than 27 million people are scheduled to fly during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Air Transport Association estimates.

The busiest travel days will be the day before Thanksgiving and the Sunday and Monday after the holiday.