Packing for Air Travelling

A MUST read for anyone travelling by air.

Airport lines will be longer than usual, x-ray scanners seem to be sensitive enough to count your fillings, and the extra security measures that are in place may not be familiar to you if you don't fly frequently.

Here are some tips to help you breeze through the airport and on to your plane with plenty of time to spare.

Before the Airport

       Do not pack or bring prohibited items to the airport. There are a number of items you're not allowed to bring on the plane at all, and some items that can only be carried in your checked baggage.

       When bringing gifts for friends or relative, leave your gifts unwrapped. If your luggage is inspected, you would need to unwrap your nicely wrapped gift.

       Don't over pack. Both carry-on and checked baggage is subject to scrutiny. Think about packing valuable items in clear plastic bags to keep them from being handled. 

       Don't use a lock that can't be opened by the TSA, because security screeners might be forced to break in if your bag sets off an alarm.

       You're only allowed to bring on the plane one carry-on bag and a personal item on all flight. Prepare your carry-ons ahead of time. Remember 1+1.

       All electronic items, such as laptops and cell phones, may be subjected to additional screening. Be prepared to remove your laptop from its travel case so that both can be X-rayed separately.

       If you're taking a laptop, you can save time by getting ready in advance. Don't forget to put an identification label on your laptop, as well as your case. One of the most forgotten
items at the Screening Checkpoints.

       Don't accessorize for the airport. Airport scanners are highly sensitive,
so you'll save time by keeping items like jewelry, watches, keys, and loose change in your carry-on.

       Get to the airport early enough to allow time for the security check. It's recommended that you arrive at the airport at least an hour early for most domestic flights, and two hours early for international flights.

       Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage.

At the Airport

       At the security checkpoint, expect to be asked to remove your outer coat. Place it in a prepared basket first and send it through the x-ray scanner along with your carry-ons.

       Avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry, and accessories that contain metal. (Items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.)

       Put metal IN your carry-on bag (jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDA).

The following are prohibited from being carried beyond the checkpoint:

·         Knives of any length, composition or description

·         Cutting instruments of any composition or description, including carpet and box cutters, (and spare blades)

·         Any device with a folding or retractable blade

·         Ice picks

·         Straight razors

·         Metal scissors

·         Metal nail files

·         Corkscrews

·         Baseball bats

·         Golf clubs

·         Ski poles

·         Hockey sticks

Items which may be transported:

·         Walking canes

·         Umbrellas

·         Nail clippers

·         Safety razors

·         Syringes (with documentation of medical need)

·         Tweezers and eye lash curlers.

 Courtesy from Transportation Security Administration and http://www.nmt.edu/~armiller/prohibit.htm