Air travel security measures

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued guidance (October 8, 2001) to help air travelers meet the heightened airport security measures implemented by American carriers following the September 11 attacks.

One of the measures mandated by the FAA and implemented by the airlines was a new carry-on policy limiting all travelers to one carry-on plus one personal item such as a purse, a briefcase, a laptop, or a backpack. This carry-on policy is now applied throughout the industry on all U.S. domestic flights in the u.s. and on all international flights to/from the U.S. Remember that these guidelines are subject to change as circumstances require.

Here are some tips to help make your travel a bit easier.

At the Security Checkpoint

Here are some tips from the US Transportation Security Administration on how to make your security inspection at US airports as quick and easy as possible.

Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.

Place jewelry, mobile phones, pagers, keys and other metal items, including the contents of your pockets, in your carry-on baggage until you clear security.

Place identification tags with your name, address and phone number on all of your baggage, including your laptop computer.

Pack your outer coat or jacket in your baggage when possible.

Do not pack or bring prohibited items to the airport, including explosives, blasting caps, dynamite, fireworks, hand grenades and aerosols. Double check your carry-on baggage to make sure you have removed prohibited items such as pocketknives, scissors and tools.

Leave gifts unwrapped for possible inspection. This applies to both carry-on and checked baggage.

Avoid over packing so that your articles do not spill out if your bag is opened for inspection.

If you have a medical implant or other device that is likely to set off the alarm on the metal detector, bring evidence verifying this condition. Although this is not a requirement, it may help to expedite the screening process.

Bring a boarding pass, ticket, or ticket confirmation, such as a printed itinerary and a government-issued photo ID. Children under the age of 18 do not require an ID.

Do not bring drinks or other liquids to the security checkpoint unless they are in paper or Styrofoam, sealed spill-proof containers.

Do not bring food to the security checkpoint unless it is wrapped or in a container. Unpeeled natural foods like fruit are okay.

For more tips, please visit the US Transportation Security Administration's web site.

Allow Extra Time

The heightened measures require more time to properly screen travelers. Travelers should contact their airline to find out how early they should arrive at the airport. As a general rule, the minimum requirement is at least three hours before departure time for domestic flights and four hours for international flights;

Travelers are encouraged to take public transportation to the airport. Parking and curbside access are likely to be controlled and limited;

Curbside check-in is available on an airline-by-airline basis. Travelers should contact their airline to see if it is in place at their airport.

Check-in Procedures

A government issued ID (federal, state, or local) with photo is required. Travelers may be asked to show this ID a subsequent points, such as the gate, along with their boarding passes;

Automated check-in kiosks are available for airlines that have appropriate security measures in place. Travelers interested in this option should check with their airline;

E-ticket travelers should check with their airline to make sure they have proper documentation. Written confirmation, such as a letter from the airline acknowledging the reservation, may be required.

At Screener Checkpoints

Only ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the screener checkpoints, except for those with specific medical or parental needs;

Each traveler will be limited to one carry-on bag and one personal bag (i.e., purse, briefcase, laptop or backpack;

All electronic items, such as laptops and cellphones, may be subjected to additional screening. Travelers should be prepared to remove their laptop from its travel case so that both can be x-rayed;

Travelers must limit the metal objects they wear on their bodies;

Travelers must remove all metal objects prior to passing through the metal detectors in order to facilitate the screening process.

Prohibited Items

Items that are prohibited from aircraft cabins (and must be placed in, or transported as, checked baggage to avoid confiscation) include:

Knives of any length, composition or description;

Cutting instruments of any kind and composition, including carpet knives and box cutters (and pare blades), any device with a folding or retractable blade, ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors and metal nail files.

Corkscrews;

Baseball/softball bats;

Pool cues;

Ski poles;

Hockey sticks

Permitted Items

Items that are permitted inside aircraft cabins include:

Walking canes and umbrellas (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed);

Nail clippers;

Safety razors (including disposable razors such as Bic and Gillette);

Syringes (with documented proof of medical need);

Eyelash curlers;

At the Gate

Travelers must be prepared to present a valid photo identification card, along with their boarding pass;

Travelers and their bags may be subject to additional screening.

Travelers are also reminded to control all bags and personal items, to not take anything on board for another person, and to report any unattended items in the airport or aircraft to the nearest airport or airline representative.

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