Today, I tackle the the planning and packing that will help you comply with the liquid and gel restriction, and make getting through airport security a breeze.

Let’s be honest, the big headache at the airport is getting through security.  It’s time consuming, the rules seem to be continually changing, and there are different procedures in nearly every airport you transit.  Is it any wonder that the security process is one of the most stressful parts of travel?!

The best way to get through airport security is to plan ahead and be prepared.  Preparation and planning starts at home, from the things you pack to what you wear, so before you ever walk out the door read and remember these tips:

1. Don’t wear metal – wear something that will get through security easily.  Leave the big brass belt buckle in a bag, because trust me, it is not going to make it through the security.  The same goes for heavy metal jewelry, hair decorations, chains on your belt loops, etc.  I’m not saying that you can’t wear these items, but I am saying don’t try to get through security wear them.  Pack them away and put them on AFTER you’ve cleared the metal detector.  Remember, if you have to stop and take off all this in the security line, it’s going to take longer for you to get through, and it will hold up everyone behind you.  Don’t be that person!
2. Wear a coat that’s  easy to slip off.  Same goes for your jacket, sweater, or other outerwear.  If you’re going to keep it on while you’re waiting in line, you want something easy to remove as you get to the front of the line.  Again, remove it in advance – BEFORE you get to the security belt.  If you’re going to carry your jacket and put it on AFTER you get through security, it probably doesn’t matter.  Think about which option applies to you.
3. Wear shoes that are easy to remove.  You are going to have to remove them to go through security and then put them back on on the other side.  (More about the etiquette of this in a future post.)  Taking off and putting on boots and other complicated shoes, no matter how attractive, is a time waster.  I wear simple slip on shoes that are on and off in a flash.
4. Remember the 3-1-1 rule.  3 ounces maximum sized containers in 1 clear plastic zip bag, for each person.  That is all the liquids and gels that you are permitted in your carry on luggage.  If you have more than that, or larger sizes, place them in your checked luggage.  There are some limited exemptions from this rule (e.g., for medications, breast milk), so if you have special needs you can check the TSA website for specifics.
5. Think about what’s a liquid or gel.  It’s not just bottles of water and shaving cream.  It’s also hairspray, toothpaste, deodorant, mascara, lipstick, cheese spread, and more.  Take a closer look at this liquid and gel list for more examples.
6. Put all your liquids in a clear bag.  There are lots of attractive containers and packing for gel and liquid items, many approved for use by the TSA.  I’ve used them, but on occasion have been confronted by an overly zealous TSA official who has dumped everything out of my clear travel bag into a Ziploc bag.  Using a particular brand of clear bag is not a legitimate function of the TSA.  However, if you want to get through and on your way you should just comply for the moment, and then write a letter of complaint later.  Comply now, complain later is a good rule of thumb. 
7. Place your liquids bag where it is easy to get to it.  Since you’ll have to remove you bag of liquids to go through security, make sure you’ve packed it where you can get to it easily.  Don’t waste time unpacking your entire bag just to get to the liquids.  Pack it last and on top, making it quicker for you to get to.
8. Pack your laptop where it’s easy to remove.  It’s not just liquids and gels that have to be removed.  You will have to remove your laptop and place it in a big to go through the security screen.  Have it handy, so that you can remove it without unpacking your entire bag.

Now that you’re dressed simply, and have your items packed so that they are easily accessible, your ready to head off the airport and tackle that security line!

Image credit:  SXC

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

One complaint that I hear is the people are forever having to show identification.  When you check your bags, when you check in for your flight, when you’re queuing up in the security line, and then again after you pass through security. 

Here’s what the TSA has to say about why all those ID checks are necessary:

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Using a “checkpoint friendly” bag means having one that contains ONLY your laptop (no cords, plug ins, or extraneous attachments), and that can unfold to lie flat on the x-ray belt.  No metal snaps, zippers, buckles, or pockets. 

With this type of bag, you would place the bag directly onto the belt, rather than putting it into a separate screening bin.   The design would give the security screeners a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop, allowing them to spot anything that shouldn’t be there.

The policy change comes after a call was put out to manufacturers to design a “checkpoint friendly” bag.  A number of designs were submitted, and several were approved and given a TSA stamp of approval.  However, the TSA is quick to point out that using an approved bag is no guarantee that it will automatically pass through the security screen.  A number of other factors, many of which are not made public, go into the decision about whether a secondary screen is necessary.

You can read the full “checkpoint friendly” policy and exceptions and decide if this is going to be a help for you.

Since I usually take my laptop with me when I travel, I hope to report back on how this policy is implemented and interpreted at various airports around the country.  I fear that this rule, like the rest, is going to be subject to the whim (legally called interpretation) of the individual screener.

I hope readers will chime in with their experiences.  Do the screeners know about the new policy?  Are they following it?  Is this saving you any time?

Image credit:  Amazon

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Q.  Do Flight Attendants have to go through this whole security rigmarole than I just did?

A.  It depends. 

When we are on duty and in uniform, we are not subject to the restriction about liquids.  (No don’t ask me to carry anything onboard for you!)  That’s why you may see Flight Attendants carrying through a cup of coffee or a bottle of water.  When we are on duty, we also can cut to the head of the security line to go through ahead of others waiting in line.  Other than these adjustments, we still go through everything else that you do — removing jackets, sweaters and shoes, removing our laptop from our bags, removing anything that is going to set off the security alarm, etc. 

When we are on duty, but not in uniform (which could occur when we are positioning for a flight), we can still head to the front of the line, but must comply with the liquids restriction.

When we are not on duty, and are traveling for pleasure, we’re just like you.  We stand in line and wait.

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

With the busy summer travel season nearly upon us, it’s a good time to talk about liquids once again.  The TSA has tried to make it easy for us with a campaign of 3-1-1.  No more than 3 ounces of any size, in a 1 quart sealable bag, with a limit of 1 per person.

The other day I saw an argument at security over what was and wasn’t a liquid or gel.  You’re not likely to win that argument! 

While I think it’s obvious, others have said that it’s not.  So here’s a basic list of what is considered and liquid and/or gel and is subject to the 3-1-1 rule.

• Deodorant (spray, gel, roll on)
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Lotion
• Bubble bath, shower gel, bath oil
• Shaving cream, gel
• Foot lotion, spray
• Face creams, serums
• Cream, liquid and gel foundations and blush
• Lipstick, lip gloss, pencil lip liner
• Creme, liquid, and pencil eye shadow and liner
• Mascara
• Perfume, cologne, after shave
• Hand cleaner, sanitizer
• Bottled or boxed water, juices or other drinks

While that may seem like a pretty long list, I’m sure that there are other things that also count as gels and liquids.  These are just some of the common ones that I see causing problems.

Remember – you can have these in your checked luggage with NO problem.  But if you are bring them onboard in a carry on, they are subject to the 3-1-1 rule.

Feel free to leave anything I’ve missed in the comments!

Photo credit: SXC

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Q.  Why do Flight Attendants get to cut in front of the security line?  I’ve been waiting a long time, and it just isn’t fair.

A.  Signs should be posted at every security area that state:  “Please allow uniformed flight crew to proceed to the front of the line.”  You may not have seen the signs.  They are there, it’s just that they are very small, and posted in a place that is not easily seen by the lines of people we are passing in front of.

Originally, the airports set up a separate security screening line for airport and airline employees.  At certain times of the day these lines were VERY busy, and at others they were nearly unused.  In an effort to have more efficiency, the employee-only line was done away with, and the policy of moving employees to the front of the line was adopted. 

Many businesses and professions have a similar type of perk for their employees, whether it’s a separate entrance to a building, dedicated elevator for employees, or maybe the ability to bypass security entirely.  This is just our version of that.

Some airports manage this process better than others, and at the best it takes us barely a minute or two of your time.  Complaining loudly will probably be overlooked, but getting aggressive or becoming physical (I’ve seen it happen) is a sure way to get yourself detained.

Do you have a question about the life or work of a Flight Attendant?  Send your questions to me for inclusion in a future Flight Attendant Friday.

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

That was my first response, albeit a jaded one, when I heard that the TSA had launched a blog of their own and was interested in hearing comments from the traveling public. 

Evolution of Security was rather quietly launched on January 31st, 2008, with five bloggers known only by their first names (Bob, Ethel, Jay, Chance and Jim).  At these five attempt to “facilitate an ongoing dialogue on innovations ins security, technology and the checkpoint screen process,” readers finally feel they have a pipeline to one of the most frustrating agencies around.

Comments are moderated, and the comment policy was obviously written by a pack of lawyers, but the bloggers’ try to explain TSA policy and procedures evoked emotional responses.  Not an easy job.

TSA invited feedback, and they got it in spades.  Hundreds of comments from disgruntled, frustrating, and confused travelers.

There’s lots of posting and information for the reading, but let’s see if they can build a community like the best blogs and bloggers do.  And let’s see if they do anything with the feedback that they get.

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe