Airline Tips

ARRIVAL--Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to your departure.
SHOES—Shoes will need to be removed when going through security so consider wearing slip-on shoes when you fly. Travelers wearing shoes with chunky soles and heels report they are getting checked more frequently than the flyers wearing thin-soled dress shoes.
JEWELRY & OTHER METAL ITEMS—Security screen devices have been set to their ultra-sensitive settings, even watches with minimal bits of metal - casing, crowns, and strap buckles, for example - are ringing the bells. The solution? Buy an inexpensive, plastic watch to wear while flying. Even the lightest, itsy-bitsy pieces of metal can set off the alarms at security checkpoints (i.e. metallic buttons, metal zippers, belt buckles, hair clips, bobby pins, and metallic baubles of any kind). In fact, many women report that their undergarments have set off the alarms. As such, some women have started wearing sports bras or bras with plastic underwires.
LAPTOPS—Because it's now necessary to pull your laptop out and put it in a container and then on the belt separately, it's sometimes hard to distinguish yours from all the look-alike laptops. Tape your business card or an address label to the laptop so you can identify what's yours. In addition, place your laptop on the screening belt ahead of your laptop case. When your laptop comes out first you'll be reminded to return it to the case that will follow.
LUGGAGE–Luggage you haven't used for a while may be inadvertently hiding some things that "won't fly." Carefully examine any bag before you pack it. Check the linings, pockets, and all the nooks and crannies. You'd be surprised at what you'll find-and better you than a security screener.
POCKET ITEMS & CARRY-ON ITEMS—The typical traveler has pockets bulging with metal: coins and money clips; keys and key chains; pens and mechanical pencils; metal-framed glasses; and even chewing gum and cigarette packs with metallic wrappers; not to mention the wireless phones, pagers and all the other pocket-size gadgets we keep close to our hearts. You can reduce minutes at the security checkpoint by using a resealable plastic sandwich bag. Rather than place all these items into those plastic containers one item at a time, put them in the bag before you go through security. Then just put the plastic bag in your carryon or toss it in the container, go through the screening, and grab the bag when it comes through the X-ray machine.
MEDICINE—Keep all medicines - over-the-counter drugs as well as prescriptions - in their original bottles. If you must travel with special paraphernalia (i.e. needles, EpiPens, etc.) carry a legible doctor's note explaining your medical condition.
LIQUIDS--passengers are currently limited to carrying 3-ounce bottles of liquids, gels or aerosols into airplane cabins; these rules may change. Check with airlines for new information.
ANYTHING ELSE—If you're not sure whether an item will be accepted past the security checkpoint, it's probably best to either travel without it or pack it in your checked luggage.