Back to Basics: Getting Through Security - The Planning Phase
December 5, 2007 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under Air Travel, Travel Tips
The best way to get through airport security is to plan ahead and be prepared. Preparation and planning starts at home, and I’ve previously written some good tips about the overall view of the security process.
Today, it’s about specifics, however, and how you can best plan for the process and have a mind set that will make it simple.
Think about what you are going to wear, and make sure that it’s something that can easily get through security. Simply clothing, without a lot of metal, easily removed shoes, and minimal jewelry are good choices to get you through the metal detector. Yes, I know that your nail studded belt and heavy metal jewelry are gorgeous and your favorite thing to wear — BUT. . . it is going to hold you, and everyone behind you in line, up at the security walk through. It’s just not worth the headache.
Remember the liquid rule: 3 - 1 - 1. Three ounces sized containers of liquid (or smaller), in one clear plastic Ziploc bag, per each person. That’s is all the liquids ands gels that are permitted in your carry on luggage. Here are a few items that I frequently see people forgetting to put in their liquid bag: toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, and hairspray.
NOTE: There are a lot of creative containers and packaging for gel and liquid items, and I have used a couple of them. On my last trip, from my home airport, the TSA official emptied all the items from my pretty package and put it in a ziploc bag, advising me that the regulation specifically said a ziploc bag. If this was an isolated enforcement I wouldn’t mention it, but in talking with other crew members and travelers, there may be a strict interpretation of the rule occurring. This may be just during the holidays, but I’d recommend erring on the conservative side and using a ziploc bag.
With your pre-departure choices made wisely, and a positive mind set in place, you are now ready to actually do it — get through the security line and metal detector. That’s the subject of my next Back to Basics post.
Photo credit: wikimedia
____________________________________________
My brother in law had a similar experience with the ziplock bag. He had the wrong size ziplock and was told to go get the right size (they were available at the end of the line) and wait in line again before clearing security! Ouch!
On the other hand, on a recent flight the TSA agent stopped me from throwing away my bottle of water saying “oh, that’s for your baby” and winking.
The enforcement is all over the board, and when I’m travelling with liquid for the kids, I find it easiest to bring a printout of the regulations regarding formula/breast milk in case there is any issue at security.