This article explains what you can expect as you pass through airport security and offers some tips on making it easier.

• Preparation before you leave home
• Making the airport experience move along smoothly
• What to expect if you are flagged for special consideration
• How to handle getting certain items through the checkpoint: food, photographic equipment, crematory containers.

Before You Leave the House

There are some simple things you can do as you get ready to leave that will save time and keep the hassles to a minimum.

Dress

One of the easiest solutions to getting through the airport with as little problems as possible is to think ahead when choosing your clothes. The clothes you decide to wear will affect your experience. When you choose your traveling outfit, keep in mind that the following are likely to set off the alarms:

• Lots of jewelry including body piercings, especially hidden under clothes
• Underwire bras
• Hair clips
• Belt buckles
• Snaps
• Studs

If you want to wear any of these on your trip consider packing them temporarily in your carry-on bag or put them in the plastic bin to go through the x-ray machine. Consider removing body jewelry if possible. Setting off the alarms earns you a manual search that includes a large wand and the hands of a stranger.

Shoes

Many shoes have metal inserts that set off alarms causing concern for both traveler and security personnel. Although airlines do not admit to having a written policy on shoes, it seems that at airports passangers are being told to remove them more and more frequently. You probably will be asked to remove your shoes and place them in a bin to pass through the x-ray machine. Sneakers or flip-flops may be allowed to be worn as you walk through. Boots, dress shoes – shoes with thick soles or heels – are going to be screened whether or not they set off the metal detector.

Prohibited Items

There are items that are prohibited from being on the plane at all and then there are items that can be in your checked baggage but not in your carry-on.

• What can’t be brought into the cabin: Knives, box cutters, scissors with sharp ends, swords, sporting goods (sticks/bats/arrows/cues), any type of guns, tools (power tools, screwdrivers, hammers, saws, pliers, wrenches), martial arts/self defense items (billy clubs, brass knuckles, mace spray, stun guns).

• Items that can’t be brought on the plane at all: Lighters, gun powder, explosives (dynamite, fireworks, flares), fuels, gasoline, lighter fluid, spray paint, fire extinguishers, bleach, oxygen tanks, poisons (pesticides, insecticides, rodent poisons), bacterial cultures.

Luggage

When you are checking in a bag and want to lock it, use a TSA (Transportation Security Administration) approved lock. They can be purchased almost anywhere, even at the airport. You have the security of locking your belongings, yet authorized airport personnel can make a hand search if they deem it necessary.

Pack in Your Carry-on

• Valuables – cash, jewelry, ID, laptop, cell phone, keys
• Undeveloped film and cameras

Leaving for the Airport

Take into consideration traffic at the hour you will be leaving so you arrive at the airport two hours before your flight leaves. If you will be leaving your vehicle in a long-term parking lot, remember that you still have to get from the parking lot to the terminal. It makes a big difference.

At the Airport

• Do not leave your luggage unattended
• Do not accept baggage/packages from a stranger

Arrival Time

Arrive two hours before your flight is scheduled for take off. Take this seriously. Gates close early, and you may not be let on. Security screening takes time too.

ID

Keep your forms of ID easily accessible. You will need to show it at every checkpoint.

At the Screening Checkpoint

Place in the plastic bins the following:

• Coins
• Cell phone/pager/PDA
• Keys
• Belt buckles
• Hair clips

• Take your laptop and camcorder out of their cases and put them in the bin provided.

• You may be instructed to place shoes in the bin.

• Jackets and coats need to be placed on the conveyor belt to go through x-ray

• When you are given the signal, you may proceed through the metal detector.

If You Are Selected for Special Consideration

You could feel honored, but like me, most people are going to wonder why they were chosen. Try to stay calm and cooperate. Screeners are working their shift, not going anywhere. Whining about missing your flight is not going to get you through quicker.

How a Pat-down Goes

Screeners are to tell you what they are about to do. While you stand with your legs spread and your arms out to the side, a large hand-held wand will be passed over you, front and back. A pat-down search will be conducted by a member of your gender. The back of the hand should be used on the breast area (women), genitals, and buttocks. You may request to be screened in a private location. Finally, you may be asked to sit in a chair while they inspect the soles of your feet with your shoes off. Again, the wand may be passed over you. Your carry-on bag may be unpacked for a visual inspection. Usually you are allowed to repack, especially if there are any medical supplies/medicine.

Transporting Special Items

Food

I placed my Styrofoam cup of coffee in the plastic bin because the man in line behind me said it had to be screened. I earned a very hostile look from the woman at the end of the conveyor belt. Apparently my beverage, if spilled on security equipment, could have caused some extensive damage. Next time I flew I carried my Styrofoam coffee cup through the metal detector. If the liquid is in a glass, aluminum, or plastic container then it has to go through the x- ray machine. All other food you wish to bring aboard needs to be wrapped or in a container.

Cameras/Film

Some airlines allow a camera bag to be carried on in addition to the allowed carry-on bag and the one personal item (like a purse) – Check with your airline as to their regulations. Undeveloped film put in any checked bags will be damaged by the screening equipment. Pack undeveloped film in your carry-on. They will inspect high-speed and specialty film by hand, but you need to request the service beforehand.

Crematory Containers

A crematory container may be considered carry-on, but it does need to pass through the x-ray machine, so the container must be made out of a material (like wood or plastic) that will permit the x-ray machine to see inside. Purchase a temporary urn for the flight if you want to use another material for the permanent container.

Some airlines allow cremated remains to be checked in, some do not. If so, the remains are going to be checked for explosives. Security personnel are not allowed to open the container out of respect for the dead.

Check with your airline regarding their policy for transporting the deceased in a coffin.

Crafts

This may be up to the individual TSA screener. They have the authority to determine if any item could be used as a weapon. Knitting needles, for example, are allowed on the plane, but your particular screener could disallow you to take them.

Some Tips

• Use circular knitting needles if possible. If that is not possible, try needles made out material other than metal (bamboo or plastic)
• Scissors must have blunt ends
• No cutters will be allowed through security. They must be in your checked baggage.

Medications

• Clearly label all medication so it can be identified.
• Place meds in clear plastic bags to make screening easier.
• If you don’t want your meds or medical equipment x-rayed, you need to request a visual inspection before the screening begins.

Extra Tips

• Tape a business card to the bottom of your laptop to identify it.
• Remove body piercings that are underneath clothing if possible. Keeping them in may result in a more detailed search.
• Bringing a gift to someone on the other end of your flight? Do not wrap the gift before you get to the airport. Wrap at the end of your journey or ship the gift ahead of your flight.
• Bring a self-addressed stamped envelope in case you are prohibited from bringing an item on the plane. You can mail it back home. Without this, you may be asked to voluntarily give it up, and there is no getting it back.
• Pack any item that needs to be hand inspected in a clear plastic ziplock bag.

Start the trip off on the right foot by following my advice and have a great time at your destination!