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Travel Tips
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Making holiday travel merrier
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and air carriers provide the following tips to improve travelers’ experiences in crowded airports during this year’s holiday travel season:
Packing
- Pack valuables, including jewelry, money, laptops, any fragile items, and necessary medications in carry-on baggage.
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- Keep medications, including prescription drugs, in their original containers.
- Do not pack heavy food items in checked luggage. Such foods may cause airport screening machines to alarm.
- Do not overstuff luggage, as it will make it more difficult to close if screeners need to open it for physical inspection.
- Include luggage ID on the inside of luggage as well as the outside.
Screening Procedures
- Remember to follow the recent TSA restrictions for carrying on liquids and gels: all liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 3 oz. or smaller containers, and all such containers must fit into and be placed in a quart-size clear plastic bag. Visit www.tsa.gov for more detailed information.
- When approaching security checkpoints, place all metallic items, including keys, coins, and phones in a carry-on bag or a plastic bag before arriving at the X-ray machine. This allows for easy retrieval of items before exiting.
- Remove coats, jackets, or sport coats and place them in a plastic bin. Sweaters and sweatshirts may be worn through the security checkpoint unless they contain a significant amount of metal or their size and bulk could potentially be used to conceal restricted items.
- Remove laptops and video cameras from their carrying cases and place them in a plastic bin.
Gifts
- Travel with all gifts unwrapped, as any wrapped gifts will be unwrapped and screened at the security checkpoint.
- Remember, gifts count as carry-on items.
Sports Equipment
- Transport skis and ski poles in checked baggage. Ski boots can be included as carry-on luggage.
- Other sporting equipment that could be used as a weapon must be placed in checked baggage.
Shoes
- Save time by removing shoes and placing them in a plastic tray on the X-ray belt at the checkpoint prior to going through the metal detector.
- Passengers wearing shoes that have thick soles or metal, including boots, certain athletic shoes, and platform shoes, may be required to undergo additional screening, even if the metal detector does not alarm.
Bring Photo Identification
- All passengers age 18 and older must carry government-issued photo identification and will be asked to show identification during check in and at security checkpoints.
Check Flight Status
- Stay informed of schedule changes or travel delays by calling the airline or checking the airline’s web site for updates on departure/arrival times and gate information.
Allow Extra Time
- Allow more time than usual for traveling to and from the airport with holiday traffic. Airport parking ramps and security checkpoints will also be busier.
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- Arrive at the airport at least 75 minutes prior to departure for domestic travel and two hours prior for international travel.
Inappropriate Statements
- Do not make thoughtless remarks. Jokes or statements regarding bombs and/or threats during the screening process are taken very seriously and may be grounds for both civil and criminal penalties, and could cause passengers to miss their flight.
Sources: Transportation Security Administration, Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines
