Call it a flex, because at the other end of that line is a flight to somewhere about to call for boarding.
There’s a new viral trend taking Tiktok and Instagram by storm—the TSA aesthetic. What does that look like? Travelers carefully arrange their belongings in their bins during security check, then take a photo (or video) for posting.
Call it a flex, because at the other end of that line is a flight to somewhere about to call for boarding. This is an interesting trend to come about, bringing with it a whole slew of questions alongside an equal amount of “let me give that a try!”
This viral trend challenges content creators to be meticulous in what they have in their carry-on—only the pretty things please! Add in a passport or a printout of a boarding pass for those authentic feels. Scroll through TikTok, and you’ll find tutorials on how to get everything just right, curated depending on your destination. Color-coordinated too! Influencer Piper Taich did find a hack to the mad rush – buy your own bin on Amazon and take the pictures at home. Same effect less stress. As she says in her video, “The point of it is that it’s fun, and it’s art.” What she said.
The question that one needs to ask is how quickly can I get stuff laid out, send it through the machine, and out the other side before some irate passenger notices? And take all those pictures too! Remember, holding up the line at security is a cardinal sin one must never commit! According to the TSA, as long as the line keeps moving, they don’t see it as a problem. From experience, the real aesthetic bin is made up of gadgets laid out, 100ml bottles of liquids neatly packed in a Ziplock bag, then shoes, bag and jackets in the other. Just those travel basics, please!
Some have skirted around this problem by taking their bins off to the side once they are past security. Which is the considerate choice. They can now take the time to curate what goes into their “TSA aesthetic bins,” take their photos, pack everything away, and sprint to the gate. Along the way, they can think of their captions, and post when they get there.
What seems to be overlooked here is the reality of how dirty those security bins are. Imagine all the bags, shoes, and stuff from all over that get placed in them. Heaven knows where those things have been. It’s not like it gets cleaned after each use. The bins have been described as “dirtier than toilets,” with a myriad viruses lying in wait. Fortunately, post-pandemic, spray bottles and wet wipes are de rigeur. Just bring some extras for all the disinfecting that awaits.
Admittedly, the TSA aesthetic is an interesting trend, taking the flat lay to the level of humble brag. After all, one wouldn’t be in line for security if they weren’t about to travel to some (hopefully) exotic destination. It subtly points towards a certain lifestyle without running the risk of being called a showoff. Much like the ubiquitous foodporn posts by diners at some chichi restaurant, or a snap at one of those fancy parties. Friends and followers will like, comment, and share as they aspire for the same.
If there is one thing this whole TSA aesthetic proves, is that there are no lengths to which content creators will go to post that proverbial money shot. Or it could be a symptom of the deep-seated desire to jump on any bandwagon that works, as most are wont to do on social media. No matter how you spin it, those TSA bins are a gnarly sort, so it’s best to get your stuff in and out in the least amount of time.
So is the TSA aesthetic an ooohhh or an ick? That’s up to you. Just don’t hold up the line.
