Travel Security
Since 9/11 security in airports worldwide has become significantly improved and has become a regular part of our lives. Everyone needs to understand the challenge to the TSA and do their utmost to fully cooperate. Traveling today need not be stressful if you obey the rules and follow the advise stated below.
Locking your Luggage
The TSA (Transport Security Association) requires your luggage is either unlocked or has a TSA approved Travel Sentry Certified Lock. These locks are available in both key or programmable 3 digit combination type. The TSA has a tool that will open these locks without causing damage or delay. Without a Travel Sentry Certified lock the TSA will be forced to cut your lock off if they want to examine the contents of your case. The TSA will not be held responsible for the destroyed lock or any damage to the case incurred in removing that lock. Many Travel Sentry Certified combination locks have a color indicator that changes color to let you know if the TSA has searched your case.
TSA Shoe Screening Policy
TSA's increased focus on screening shoes in recent months reflects a necessary reaction to information gathered by federal intelligence agencies. In order to provide a high level of security with the least amount of inconvenience, TSA has produced the following policy for the screening of footwear: TSA does NOT require that passengers remove their shoes prior to proceeding through the security checkpoint. However, any person that alerts while proceeding through the checkpoint will be subject to a secondary screening to determine the source of the alarm. TSA screeners have also been trained to look for suspicious footwear that may require secondary screening regardless of whether the metal detectors alarm. If you know that your shoes will alarm the metal detector, you may choose to take them off prior to entering the checkpoint and place them in a TSA provided bin so they may be cleared through the x-ray machine. For the purpose of security and protecting your feet from contagious bacteria LuggageGuru recommends you put a pair of slippers or flip flops inside a clear plastic bag or packing cube with a see through mesh or plastic top and place it in your carry on. Remove your shoes and put your slippers on to walk through the metal detector and put your personal items like cell phone, belt with buckle, glasses and change in the packing cube or plastic bag and place that in the tray with your shoes. You can change back into your shoes after you have passed trough security. Thousands of people will walk through that narrow path between the metal detector each day without shoes. Who knows where their feet have been or what diseases or fungus they might be carrying. The slippers will also come in handy on a long flight for comfort.
Personal Security in the Airport
While passing through airport security you will be asked to show your tickets, passport and picture ID several times. Every time you reach into your pocket and remove these items another opportunity for loss or theft occurs. Finding and producing documentation also slows down the line and makes TSA agents jobs more difficult. LuggageGuru recommends you use a travel security neck wallet. This simple security wallet has a cord that goes around your neck so the wallet hangs in front of you in clear view with easy access. This travel wallet is made to hold airline tickets and boarding pass, passport and picture ID securely and will leave your hands free. Several companies make them with a variety or features in assorted colors and fabrications.
Personal Security after Leaving the Airport
After airport security you will have new security needs with different solutions. Tens of thousands of people are pick-pocketed and lose their passport, currency and ID while vacationing domestically and abroad every year. By being alert and following some simple rules you will eliminate the opportunities a thief might have to rob you.
Never keep your passport in an outer pocket that a pick-pocket can access. Your passport should be stored away under your clothing in either a money belt, neck pouch, sock safe or leg safe. Make a copy of the inside opening pages of your passport preferable in color but black and white will do. In most cases this will do and if not the original will be available. In addition to the copy of your passport bring a passport size photo of yourself in case your passport is stolen. With the copy of your passport you will be able to go to the nearest American Consulate and get a new passport usually within 24 hours but the passport picture can be much more difficult to obtain.
Do not put your wallet in your back pocket. The back pocket is an easy mark for a pickpocket. If you are not going to take my advise than put a rubber band around the wallet to cause friction so it will be difficult to push up out of your pocket. There are several companies making great travel cloths including travel vests with an abundance of well organized security pockets.
What can be Carried On or Checked Through
The basic rule is anything that could be used as a weapon or that is potentially explosive can not be carried on both domestic and international flights. Below is a chart, which outlines items that are permitted and items that are prohibited in your carry-on or checked baggage.
| CAN I TAKE IT | CARRY-ON | CHECKED LUGGAGE |
| Tweezers |
Yes |
Yes |
| Scissors - Metal |
No |
Yes |
| Scissors - Plastic or metal with blunt tips. |
Yes |
Yes |
| Scissors - Metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches in length. |
Yes |
Yes |
| Safety Razor |
Yes |
Yes |
| Nail File |
Yes |
Yes |
| Nail Clipper |
Yes |
Yes |
| Cuticle Cutter |
Yes |
Yes |
| Corkscrew |
Yes |
Yes |
| Firearms and Ammunition |
No |
Yes |
| Axes |
No |
Yes |
| Hammers |
No |
Yes |
| Drills |
No |
Yes |
| Saws |
No |
Yes |
| Screwdriver |
No |
Yes |
| Wrenches and Pliers |
No |
Yes |
| Martial Arts / Self Defense Weapons |
No |
Yes |
| Fuels, Gasoline, Lighter Fluid |
No |
No |
| Strike Anywhere Matches |
No |
No |
| Turpentine, Paint Thinner |
No |
No |
| Bleach, Spray Paint |
No |
No |
| Camcorder, Laptop Computer |
Yes |
Yes |
| Mobile Phone, Pager, PDA |
Yes |
Yes |
| Box Cutter, Knives, Sabers |
No |
Yes |
| Scissors, Cleavers, Swords |
No |
Yes |
| Baseball Bats |
No |
Yes |
| Bows and Arrows |
No |
Yes |
| Hockey and Lacrosse Sticks |
No |
Yes |
| Pool Cues |
No |
Yes |
| Ski Poles |
No |
Yes |
| Spear Guns |
No |
Yes |
TSA adjusted ban on liquids, gels, and aerosols.
Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints. The following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.
- All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
- All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
- Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Questions
If you have further questions or comments feel free to email us at info@LuggageGuru.com.
|
