3 Tips To Speed Up Your Time At The Airport

Air travelers who follow three simple tips, which can be summarized as IN, OUT, and OFF, will contribute significantly to steps the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking to ensure aviation security and make travel as enjoyable as possible during any time of the year, especially during holiday seasons.

Air travel during any major holiday is expected to be heavy. The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) will do everything they can to help travelers move smoothly through security checkpoints. Employee leave will be restricted, managers will be working with screeners, and checkpoints may open earlier or close later, depending on the airport. Also, vendor deliveries will be scheduled during slow hours and extra attention will be given to preventive maintenance so screening equipment doesn’t have to be taken off-line when the checkpoint is open.

Following the three travel tips will prepare air travelers to go through checkpoints and drastically reduce chances of a more thorough secondary screening being required. Call it “Three for Three” - three tips that can avoid secondary screening that, on average, takes three minutes per person. The cumulative effect can be substantial, especially around the holidays, because travel is concentrated in only a few days.

Here’s what to do when approaching the checkpoint:

IN - Place all metal items IN a carry-on bag while waiting in line. This would include coins, cell phone, keys, lighter, and any other metal.
OUT - Take laptops OUT of their cases.
OFF - Take coats, hats and shoes OFF. It is also a good idea to remove your belt if you have a large, metal buckle.

During the holidays, there are always more people traveling, so the security screening can take longer than usual. You can help speed it up by following the rules, listening to the TSA personnel, and coming prepared.

If you come prepared and are ready to efficiently go through the checkpoint, it helps the security screeners immensely, allowing them to concentrate on their security mission while making the travel experience more pleasant for everyone.

It also is a good time to revisit the general TSA Travel Tips that are familiar to frequent fliers:

Everyone, even frequent fliers, should double check the content of their pockets and bags, particularly carry-on luggage, to ensure no prohibited items were inadvertently packed.

Think about what you are wearing before going to the airport. Metal clothing or metal jewelry are likely to require additional screening.

Pack undeveloped film in carry-on bags. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.

Wrap gifts upon arrival at your destination. If gifts require additional screening, screeners may have to un-wrap them.

Do not over pack bags. If screeners have to open them, closing overstuffed bags can be difficult and result in delays for checked baggage.

If TSA screeners need to open a locked bag for inspection they may have to break the lock. There are now products on the market that have uniform locking systems that enable TSA during a required inspection, to open and relock the bag. Passengers without such devices should consider leaving bags unlocked.

Always check the TSA web site before you travel to make sure you have the most current rules and policies.

Don’t visit Walking Street if you hate to have fun. You will be extremely disappointed.
Submitted by: Free Article Publisher
===================================

Travel 101 recommends ==> Name Your Own Price® & Save up to 50% on Hotels!

Here are some tips to get through the security checkpoint at the airport. Follow these and you will get through security and to your plane on time.

* Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. A boarding pass and valid government photo ID are required to enter the security checkpoint. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security. For international flights, you should arrive approximately three hours before your flight.

* Do not wrap gifts. If security needs to inspect a package, he may un-wrap your gift. Please wait to wrap gifts until you’re at your destination.

* Pets. Please remove all animals from their carrying cases and send the case through the X-ray machine. Hold your pet in your arms and proceed through the metal detector.

* Children. Please take your infants and children out of baby carriers and strollers and take them through the metal detector with you. Strollers and baby carriers go through the X-ray machine with your bags. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector.

* Dress the part. Metal in your clothing may set off the screening machines. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Remember that all shoes must be removed and placed in bins. Passengers also need to remove winter coats, blazers, suit coats and bulky sweaters.

* Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. Declare film that is faster than 800 speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid being x-rayed.

* When in doubt, leave it out. Bringing prohibited items to the airport will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. If you’re not sure which items are allowed, check The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) web site for a complete list of permitted and prohibited items.

* Think before you speak. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. They will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

Make sure you stop by the TSA web site to get the most current information. The list of prohibited and permitted items changes periodically and what may have been legal yesterday may be forbidden today.

Also, check to see what is allowed in your carry-on and what is permitted in your checked baggage. Some items are allowed in one but not the other.

The security guards are there to protect you and the other passengers and anything you can do to make their job easier and speed up the process will be appreciated by everyone.Larry Westfall gets to Thailand whenever he can and is the author of Pattaya Crazy | Newbie”s Guide to Pattaya
Submitted by: Freeware Article Submitter
=======================================

By: M. D. Robinson

In recent years, as well as recent months, air travel rules have changed. If you are planning on flying, you will find that most of these changes have occurred right at airports, namely airport security checkpoints. If you are about to head off to catch a flight, whether you leave tomorrow or in two weeks, it is advised that you famialrize yourself with these new air travel rules, namely the ones that are enforced at airport security checkpoints.

When it comes to airport security checkpoints, there are many passengers who only think of one checkpoint, but the reality is that there are actually three. The first checkpoint is when you go to register for your seat on the plane. This is the time when you will be presented with your boarding passes and when you must hand over the luggage that you would like checked. In addition to handing over your plane tickets or requesting your boarding passes, you will need to show the proper forms of identification. These items most commonly include a drivers license or a government issued identification card.

Once you have received all of your boarding passes, for all of your flights, you will need to hand over your luggage that you will be leaving below in the plane. These bags are commonly referred to as checked baggage or checked luggage. As with your carryon luggage, your checked baggage will need to be checked for prohibited items. In the past, only a small number of bags were hand checked, but now almost all are. Many of these checks are quick look-overs, but you may be subject to a random, extensive search. This search often includes the checking of all baggage compartments, as well as the wiping of a cloth, which is looking for powdery substances.

When you have been cleared to the next stage, you will need to go through the main airport security checkpoints. This point is where you will be required to have your carryon luggage scanned by an x-ray machine. You will also need to walk through a metal detector. In the past, only random travelers were asked to remove their shoes for checking. At the current time, all air travelers, with the exception of those with a disability or hindering medical condition, are required to remove their shoes. Your shoes will be x-rayed, along with the rest of your carryon luggage.

By familiarizing yourself with the items that are banned aboard an airplane, including items that are only prohibited from being stored in your carryon luggage, an unnecessary incident could be prevented. In the event that you are found carrying a prohibited item, certain steps will be taken. Depending on the item in question, you may be required to return the item to you car, discard of it, mail it to your home, or turn it over to airport security. Ensuring that you leave all prohibited items at home is the best way to prevent this unnecessary tie up, which may cause you to miss your flight.

Once you have been cleared at the main security checkpoint, you will need to go through one more security checkpoint. This is the final step before being able to board your airplane. When entering the airport terminal, after your airline as granted permission for passengers to board, you will need to present airline officials with the appropriate boarding pass. As this time you may need to show your identification again; however, it is not always necessary. Most travelers are easily able to board their airplane, but you may be pulled aside in the event that you are acting suspicious or drawing unwanted attention to yourself. That is why it is best that you stay calm during all airport checkpoints, including the final boarding stage.

Perhaps, the best way to ensure that your next flight is as pleasant as it can be is to follow all air travel rules. Knowing these rules ahead of time, including the screening process, you should ensure that you are able to board your plane and make it to your intended destination without incident.

M.D. Robinson is the webmaster of several neat sites where you can find useful and Free information along with many how-to articles that cover a large variety of interesting topics. Visit, cool-tips.com/travel/ Written by: M.D. Robinson

====================================