By John Campanola
The holidays are finally here. It’s a wonderful time to relax in your beautiful home, especially now that the weather in Florida has turned so perfect. Sitting back and thinking about the past year as the New Year approaches, all in your comfortable and ‘very secure and protected’ abode is what all of us dream about when we think of the holidays.
Of course, it is just a dream because most of us will be traveling during the holiday season and, for many of us, this will involve air travel. Whether you or someone you know will be traveling by plane over the holidays, the following holiday tips may make your travel a little less burdensome.
As you plan your trip or prepare to pick up someone at the airport…
- Always confirm flight schedules before you leave for the airport. Most airlines make this simple whether you use the Internet and visit their website or call on the particular airline’s toll free number.
- Do not pack or bring prohibited items to the airport. In addition, some items are allowed in checked baggage but not in your carry-on bag. For example, scissors, pocketknives, and sharp tools are not allowed in carry-on bags. The list of prohibited items is too large to include here and most airlines have it easily accessible for anyone to obtain. You may also get the list from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by visiting their website: www.TSATravelTips.us.
- Passengers are allowed only one carry-on bag plus one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or camera case. Place valuables such as jewelry, cash, and laptop computers in your carry-on baggage.
- All baggage, both checked and carry-on, will be screened and some pieces will be hand-searched. Placing articles in clear plastic bags inside your baggage may minimize handling by screeners. Also, gifts should not be wrapped since all wrapped items will be opened.
- Very Important: put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage or destroy undeveloped film.
- Do not lock your baggage, or if you must, use a TSA recognized lock (nylon ties).
Once you arrive at the airport…
- It’s important to arrive early. New security procedures may cause delays at the airline ticket counters and passenger screening checkpoints. Check with your airline for specific recommendations on how early to arrive. My rule of thumb is to arrive two hours early for any flight and bring a good book to read.
- Whenever possible I recommend using curbside check-in. It tends to be the fastest and you won’t need to lug your baggage into the terminal. If you are in a car, remember that unattended vehicles at the curb fronts are prohibited and may be towed so make certain someone stays with the car when you check your bags.
- Place a luggage ID tag both on your bags and inside as well. Remove hooks, straps and removable wheels before checking luggage to avoid damage to the bags. I also recommend that you tie a bright ribbon or place bright tape on your luggage. I do this and it makes it a lot easier to find my bag as it rounds the carousel with the many bags that are identical in appearance.
- If you are picking up passengers, you should decide on a meeting place with your party. For example, you could meet at airline baggage claim. Only ticketed passengers are permitted beyond security checkpoints.
Those security checkpoints…
- One of the biggest problems with the passenger screening checkpoints is that you never know how long it will take to pass through them. Passengers will on occasion experience long lines. It’s best to arrive early and bring that book that I mentioned earlier.
- Passengers 18 years of age and older should be prepared to present a valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license or passport) along with their ticket at the checkpoints and ticket counters. Special arrangements for passenger assistance can be made through the airlines.
- Following three travel tips, which can be summarized as IN, OUT, and OFF, will prepare travelers to go through checkpoints and reduce their chances of a more thorough secondary screening being required, according to the TSA. As you approach the airport checkpoint:
- IN: place all metal items IN a carry-on bag while waiting on line.
- OUT: take laptops OUT of their cases.
- OFF: take coats off.
- If you have a medical implant or other device that may activate the metal detector, having evidence to verify your condition may expedite the screening process. Medical supplies, such as syringes and injectors, should be packed in your carry-on bags for your convenience. All prescription medication should be identified with professionally-printed pharmaceutical labels.
I hope these tips help make your holiday traveling a little less cumbersome. After all, it is the holiday and you will probably be visiting loved ones in a distant city. While you will be away from Florida for a short while I bet you will have a lot of fun bragging about your home and the beautiful weather which will be waiting for you when you return.
To you, and all of yours, we wish you the very best Season Greetings and a very Happy New Year.
This article originally appeared in Viewpointe of Boca Pointe published in December of 2004.