The Web’s Best Guide to Airports and Flights
Airport Security
- Flying the Friendly Skies
Long gone are days when you could breeze through the airport for a last minute check-in, share good-bye kisses at the gate and enjoy friendly chats with your pilot as you board. Such is the state of airline security these days. While we all want a safer airspace, most of us are all too familiar with the trials of navigating today’s airports. With that in mind, use the following guide to make your travel time less stressful for everyone.
Before you even step out the door, make sure you’re prepared with the right clothing and the right amenities in your carry-on. Wearing your Sunday best may no longer be in vogue, but a small amount of strategy will save you time as you work your way through the long lines. Loose, simple clothing will not only make for a more comfortable flight, but it will keep you from having to peel off all of those layers at the security gate. Any metal decorations, such as a belt buckle or jewelry will have to be removed at the security counter. One option is to place all metal, keys and loose change is a container or plastic bag in your carry-on prior to arrival. This will help streamline your check-in process. Another key component of your wardrobe is your shoes. Plan to take them off unless you’re wearing flip-flops, otherwise a pair of slip-ons may be your best bet the next time you hit the airways.
What you choose to bring with you is also a hot topic at airline security checkpoints. Make sure to pack all jewelry, valuables, computer equipment and film in your carry-on baggage. Make sure not to pack anything sharp, even a small pocket knife, in your carry-on. You may pack items such as tweezers, nail clippers (without the file) and safety razors, but any sort of scissors or sharp sporting equipment will have to be stowed with checked baggage. Keep in mind that you’ll have to remove your laptop and place it in a separate bin while moving through security. Smokers will need to pack matches (no lighters) in their checked baggage only, so you might want to take care of that last nicotine fix outside the airport..
Security will want a good look at anything you bring as checked baggage as well. If you choose to lock your bags, know that security can break the lock in order to inspect the items inside. You might avoid this by using a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) recognized locking mechanism, which can be opened by TSA only; however, if you are traveling internationally you will still run the risk of having your locks broken for inspection purposes. A couple of rules of thumb for packing checked baggage: you may pack sporting equipment, even swords and knives, but make sure nothing is flammable or explosive. Flammable items also include alcohol, so think twice about bringing that bottle of wine back from France.
Since security restrictions change often, you can check the Transportation Security Administration’s website for updates each time you travel.
- Stand By for Security
Keep two things with you from the time you enter the airport to the time you board your flight: a current photo ID and your boarding pass. Typically you will be asked to show both items at the security gates (sometimes more than once) and again as you board, but you could be asked to ante up at any time, so it’s best to keep them handy at all times.
Security lines can be long, especially during peak travel times such as holidays. Plan on arriving at least two hours before your flight departs. Airlines recommend arriving three hours before international departures. To help speed the process, most airlines will allow you to print your boarding pass from home so that you can proceed directly to security.
Once in the security lines, keep them moving quickly by removing coats and shoes ahead of time and placing jewelry, change and keys inside your carry-on. As you hit the front of the lines, you can anticipate an x-ray for all carry-on items and a trip through the metal detector. Also note that you could be chosen randomly for a pat-down search. This should be conducted by a screener of the same gender, and you have the option to request a private room should you require additional screening.
Once you have made it through the gates you can relax and grab a coffee while you wait for your flight, but remember, you can't take it (or any liquids) with you on board! REMEMBER: Security Officers have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security.
Item Carry-on Baggage Checked Baggage Cigar Cutters Yes Yes Corkscrews No Yes Cuticle Cutters/Nail Clippers/Nail Files Yes Yes Eyeglass Repair Tools No Yes Eyelash Curlers/Tweezers Yes Yes Knitting/Crochet Needles Yes Yes Butter Knives & Plastic Knives/Safety-Tip Scissors Yes Yes Aerosol Products (Limited Quantities) Yes Yes Safety Razors Yes Yes Metal Tipped Scissors No Yes Toy Weapons (must not be realistic replicas) Yes Yes Umbrellas & Walking Canes (will be searched) Yes Yes Medications and Special Needs Devices Yes Yes Camcorders/Camera Equipment/Laptops/Phones/PDAs Yes Yes Sharp Objects such as Knives/Box Cutters/Razor Blades/Swords No Yes Sporting Goods such as Baseball Bats/Golf Clubs/Ski Poles No Yes Guns & Firearms No Yes Flare Guns/Gun Lighters/Gun Powder No No Tools such as Axes/Drills/Screwdrivers No Yes Martial Arts/Self Defense Items No Yes Explosive Materials & Flammable Items No No Cigarette Lighters No No
Rules on taking liquids on-board