Frequent Flyers?

[trof]

OK, I haven't flown since 9/11.
I've looked at the Homeland Security and DOT websites for DOs and DON'Ts.
You guys have been "boots on the ground".
What do I need to know about security, nail clippers, etc.?
I'll pack my tiny (2"?) Swiss Army knife which I cannot LIVE without in my checked luggage.
What else should I be prepared for?
Thanks.

[Robb]

1. The water bottle thing surprised me

If you bring water with you, you've got to have it in a factory-sealed bottle. Anything else gets taken away, e.g. Nagelene (sp?) bottles or half-drunk bottles.

Speaking of half-drunk, don't be that either. :)

[amazona]

7. if you drink out of it in front of them, it's OK

They want to see you actually drink this fluid to be sure it isn't, I dunno, deadly chemicals or something. But I've never had them actually take the drink away. Might depend on the screener of course.

[SW FL Dem]

12. I've taken water bottles several times through security and they

were opened and half empty. Never a question or an extra test.

[Bronco69]

2. Wear shoes that you can take off and put on easily.

Don't wear a lot of metal. Other than that you should be ok. :-)

[theivoryqueen]

3. the airport nazis took my rock away.

It was a really cool rock, too.

[Beaverhausen]

4. have your ID easily available

you will have to show it to everyone you come in contact with.

I have managed to accidentally get nail clippers on every flight I've been on since 9/11. they are hidden in a little pocket in my purse.

[pagerbear]

5. Just a few suggestions

Pack anything that might possibly be used as a weapon, not matter how ludicrous the idea (this includes nail files!) in your checked luggage.
Wear shoes you can slip out of easily, in case you have to remove them at security.
Have your wallet, change, cell phone, etc., already in your carry-on when you get to security to save time.
Have photo ID ready--when you check your luggage, when you go through security, when you board your flight.
Allow lots of time, but bring something to read.


Most importantly, have a good time.

[amazona]

6. I fly a lot...a few suggestions

As a woman, the most important thing I always have to remind myself to do is not to wear an underwire bra. I believe you're a man so don't have that problem, tee hee.

Wear footwear that is easy to slip on and off, and wear socks so you don't walk barefoot over some stranger's toenail fungus. Some people keep their shoes on but, trust me, it is faster and easier to throw the shoes in the X-ray bin with everything else.

Carry-on ALL valuables -- a lot of screeners are thieves, in fact, they just arrested a bunch of screeners at MSY (New Orleans airport) for stealing from people's luggage, but the victims won't get their stuff back.

Unless you're in first/business class, you may have to pay for meals and cocktails unless it's an international flight where they want you sedated with alcohol and food. For a domestic flight, bring your own food and a water bottle. Even if it's a short flight, it may be delayed, so you will need supplies. If you have to pay for food and drink in terminal or airport, it is PRICEY.

If you are bumped, DO NOT allow them to give you an award (free) ticket. Instead, ask for the voucher ($300 or $400 in most cases) that can be applied for dollars off any flight. Reason -- the majority of people find they can't use free tickets because there are not enough free seats left open. However, with the voucher, you are getting a paid seat, so you will be able to have a lot more flexibility.

If you think you might be flying a lot in future, go ahead and sign up for the frequent flyer club.

If your checked luggage weighs more than 50-70 pounds -- depends on the airline -- you may pay a HUGE fee. Pack light. Whatever it is, you can probably live without it. Your hotel has a razor, toothpaste, etc. Tell 'em at the front desk that you forgot your toiletries kit and they'll give you that stuff. Anything to save weight.

If you must wear jewelry -- and I must -- put it in a clear ziplocked bag before allowing it to go through the X-ray device. The same for cash, credit card, casino chips, etc. The bag makes it too difficult for dishonest thieves to palm a ring, a Benjamin, a Visa card, or a purple $500 chip from a Vegas casino...seriously, it does happen.

Check cheap clothes and toiletries -- if your luggage is lost you will probably be compensated something like $6 a pound which won't even pay for one lost good outfit.

Oh, and don't forget, you can now print out your boarding pass on your home computer. Until a couple days ago, you could do this 36 hours in advance, but TSA has said you have to do it 24 hours or less in advance. If you can pack really light so you have NO checked luggage (yes, leave the knife at home), print out your own boarding pass, you can go directly to your gate and save all sorts of hassle.

I'll think of more after I hit "send" but I've rambled on too much already.

If at any time, an airline or terminal employee is rude or snippy, just ignore it, be passive, just pretend not to notice. Most are really great, but there are a few power seekers out there. It takes all the air out of their tires when you smile and enthusiastically empathize while they try to curl your heel off your shoe in search for bombs or drugs. They'll go on and find someone else who is more fun to challenge.

Have a great trip! If you get hooked on flying, don't forget to check out flyertalk.com for lots of great gossip for frequent flyers.

[ForrestGump]

8. DON'T check film -- they now scan checked bags with X-rays that'll kill

any film with one pass, potentially.

Also, the TSA is incredibly inconsistent, even within a single airport, in how they do things. In general, if you lock your bags now they can cut the locks for inspection. They'll probably tell you not to. When I travel, I usually have some high-value items with me and I've continued to lock my bags and had no problems -- in most airports I've visited lately the TSA scanning is open to my view and I just stand there ready to give the keys to an officer if they need to physically inspect a bag. Watch them, too, because they'll ransack your carefully-packed luggage and may damage things...I've also heard of things falling out of suitcases during inspection and only being noticed by the item's vigilant owner. Watch them like a hawk.

There're now special locks that are TSA approved, that supposedly can be used without running the risk of them destroying them, but I've heard that they're wimpy and will pretty much destroy themselves. If you don't carry especially valuable things, you might be best with cable ties as locks. You cna even color-code them so you'll know if they've been replaced and the bags inspected.

The other major changes (other than airport-specific things, such as, at LAX, not being able to go to the gates without a ticket, severe limits on drop-off, etc) are thanks to the greedy, slimy, scummy, f***faces who run US flag carrier airlines. It was certainly a shock to me when, at the beginning of this year, I got on an international flight only to find that the airline didn;t serve food any more. Well, they do, but you order it off a menu at a premium price. Bring food, dude.

Other fun things that the greedy US airlines have been up to include dropping to 50 lbs the excess baggage limit, a thing that I don't know is relevant to you but sure is to me. They charge more, too, I think. I absolutely detest US flag airlines....greedy pigs, with service that was already way behind the rest of the world's and is now (on most airlines) abysmal.

Good luck as you negotiate the hurdles placed by the Department of Reich Security and the Ministry of Fear.

[amazona]

9. no food on an internat'l flight?

Yikes, please share the name of that airline so we can all avoid it.

The airlines I've been on this year for international flights that serve free food and booze are Northwest, KLM, and Kenya. But that might really be only two airlines because I think Northwest and KLM might be under the same ownership.

Inconsistent is the word for TSA, I have come to take it for granted that whatever they told me last time, it won't be the same the next time. Sigh.

[zuzu98]

10. clear zip lock plastic bags

These are great to pack with. You can fit more stuff in the suitcase and if your luggage is "hand screened" (read: pawed through by some TSA weenie), they aren't actually touching your clothes and the whole suitcase doesn't get messed up. I use 1 and 2 gallon bags; just put the stuff in, press out the excess air and zip it up.

[LuLu550]

15. Weelcome to DU, zuzu

:toast:

[Shrek]

11. Here's a link that will help

Air travel tips.

[trof]

13. Thanks all. We're going to a wedding in BC, Canada.

Going from here to Seattle and then on into the depths of the BC hinterlands.
Seattle will be our in/out "border crossing" customs & immigration spot. Got our passports renewed, and I'll put a shine on my easy-on/easy-off loafers.

Packing my wedding duds and any "questionable" gear (pocketknife, etc.) in checked bag. If they lose it, that'll give me a great excuse to attend the wedding in T shirt and shorts. ;-)
Thanks for the tips on packing in plastic bags.

Plan to carry on a not-too-tightly-packed duffel that I can hopefully cram into whatever space is available.
Miz t. will wear or carry all jewelry.
Any particular suggestion for transiting Seattle?
Thanks for all the help. Forewarned is forearmed.
Trying to make this as painless as posible.

[GOPisEvil]

14. Wear shoes that can easily be slipped on and off.

Just in case the TSA folks want to scan your shoes, wear slip-ons so you aren't having to untie and tie your shoes.