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Helpful Travel Hints
Checked Baggage Most airlines now have fees for checked bags as well as weight limits. Always check with your airline for their baggage policies.
Liquid Rules: 3-1-1 for Carry-Ons 3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce bottle or less (by volume) ; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3.4 oz. container size is a security measure. For more information visit the TSA web site
Baggage LocksTSA screens every passenger's baggage before it is placed on an airplane. While our technology allows us to electronically screen bags, there are times when we need to physically inspect a piece of luggage. TSA has worked with several companies to develop locks that can be opened by security officers using universal "master" keys so that the locks may not have to be cut. These locks are available at airports and travel stores nationwide. The packaging on the locks indicates whether they can be opened by TSA. Visit the TSA web site for more information
How to Get Through the Line FasterPassengers are asked to bear in mind the following advice to help make their passage through the airport as efficient and comfortable as possible.
Pack Smart
Pack an organized carry-on bag using layers – a layer of clothes, then electronic, more clothes, and then any heavier items. This will help transportation security officers see what's in your bag. Innocent items can actually appear to be potential threats in an X-ray image, simply by the way they're packed.
Do not pack oversized electronics (laptops, full-size video game consoles, DVD players and video cameras that use cassettes) in your checked baggage when possible. However, please be advised that you will be required to remove these items from your carry-on bag and submit them separately for x-ray screening. Small electronics, such as iPods, can remain in your carry-on.
Prepare your 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag of liquids before arriving at the airport. For more information on liquid rules: 3-1-1 for carry-ons, click here.
Pack all your coats and jackets in your checked baggage when possible. All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection.
Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package, they may have to unwrap your gift. Please wait until you've reached your final destination to wrap gifts.
Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. You will able to declare film that is faster than 800-speed to a transportation security officer for physical inspection to avoid being X-rayed.
When in doubt, leave it out. If you're not sure about whether you can bring an item through the checkpoint, put it in your checked bag or leave it at home.
Dress the Part
Transportation security officers have to identify any metal that is detected at the checkpoint. If the metal detector alarms when you pass through, you will be required to undergo additional screening. This includes a hand-wand and pat-down inspection.
Items that might set off an alarm on the metal detector include: Keys, loose change, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs), Heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo ties), Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs, Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration, Belt buckles, Under-wire bras.
Body Piercings. Certain metal body piercings may cause you to alarm at the metal detector, which will result in you getting additional screening. If additional screening is required, you may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.
Head Coverings. You are permitted to wear head coverings and religious garments during the screening process. You may be directed to additional screening if your headwear or clothing (religious or otherwise) is loose fitting or large enough to hide prohibited items. For more information, click here.
Shoes. Travelers are required to remove their shoes before entering the walk-through metal detector at all U.S. airports and put them through the x-ray machine for inspection. This allows officers to see if the shoes have been tampered with in any way.
Have the Following Ready
The items you'll need to present to a Transportation Security Officer at the checkpoint are:
Boarding pass
Identification (click here to see a list of acceptable IDs)
If you do not have identification (if it is lost, stolen, etc.), you will be required to provide the document checking officer with some information to help verify your identity. This will slow down your screening process and will result in additional screening. Hassle-Free Security Tips
Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.
Wear slip-on shoes. This will allow you to take them off and put them back on quickly, without having to sit down.
Pets. Please remove all animals from their carrying cases and send the case through the X-ray machine. Hold your pet in your arms and proceed through the metal detector.
Children. Please take your infants and children out of baby carriers and strollers and take them through the metal detector with you. Strollers and baby carriers go through the X-ray machine with your bags. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector.
Think before you speak. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. They will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.
Visit the TSA web site for more information
Keeping your Hands Clean on a CruiseTo stay healthy and clean, wash your hands with warm water and soap.
When to Wash your Hands:
Before: Touching your hand to your mouth including, Eating and drinking, Smoking, Brushing your teeth, Helping a sick person.
After: Going to the bathroom, Changing diapers, Touching high-hand contact surfaces, such as door knobs and railings, Returning to your cabin, Helping a sick person, Blowing your nose
How to wash your hands:
1. Wet your hands with warm water.
2. Apply a generous amount of soap.
3. Rub your hands together for 20 seconds.
4. Rinse your hands.
5. Dry your hands with a paper towel.
6. Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
What about alcohol-based hand sanitizers?
CDC recommends that cruise ship passengers use warm water and soap to wash their hands. Washing is always best.
If water and soap are NOT available (perhaps on excursions), use an ethanol alcohol-based (a minimum 62%) hand sanitizer, preferably in a gel form. For more information visit the CDC web site Travel Insurance Most of the time my clients look at the travel protection plan as just another cost added to their trip and unfortunately in most cases they decline the protection. I highly recommend to all of my clients to purchase travel protection. Yes its an added cost but it is well worth it, your vacation can take a year to save for, but only a second to ruin. Just today I had a client who had to change his flights for a trip to Cancun. His job requirements caused the change and if he had not purchased the travel protection plan he would have had to pay a $150 cancellation fee on the original flight and then pay an addition $453 for the new flights. I canceled his flight, booked his new flights and filed a claim again his travel protection plan for him, he will be creded the full amount of the original flights and since his new flights are at a lower fare he will even be netting an additional $17 in the process.
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