What To Take In Your Carry On?

[luvDW]

Okay here is another question. Over the weekend someone told me I could not take my prescriptions in the carryon. She said her friend just got back from a trip and they took her medicine. So is this true? Can I take my personal items such as curling iron, blow dryer etc.... What exactley can I take. I know no razors, scissors and stuff like that but what else. Anyone?

[flyingcircus]

ALWAYS, ALWAYS carry your prescription medicine with you. DO NOT CHECK IT!!!!
Try to make sure your medicine is in the bottle, with your name, etc on it. I have an epi pen ( a pen that you inject into your leg for allergies), and I have made it thru security fine. I have had psgrs. leave their nitroglycerin in the checked luggage, and once you are in the air, you CANNOT get it!!! For those psgrs that need any type of medicine that requires a syringe, you will need a copy of the prescription from your Dr.

Carry on items:
wallet
car keys
tickets
passport money
video camera/camera
makeup
toothbrush/paste
change of underwear
change of clothing

Anything that is valuable should be brought on board with you. I always check my blow dryer, etc. in checked luggage. Too cumbersome to carry on. If you can, have a change of clothing with you (VERY important for small children!). In case you and your checked luggage do not meet up at the same time:D

[ducklite]

Whoever told you that is obviously more than ill informed, and I would never take advice from them.

ALWAYS carry-on any medications!

In my carryon, I take: (Assuming a trip to Orlando)

shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, and a change of underwear
sandals
minimum of toiletries (brush, deoderant, makeup, toothbrush/paste, etc.)
something to sleep in (sleep shirt or pj's)
medications
camera (not disposables though--they get packed in checked until used)
exposed film
laptop
my Passporter :-) (includes all reservation confirmations/plane tix/etc.
ID/credit cards/cash/etc.
a magazine to read and leave behind for someone else to enjoy
reading glasses/sunglasses

This all fits easily into a medium sized totebag and handbag. I leave the bulky laptop case at home, and carry it in the tote, less obvious it's a laptop that way as well...

Anne

[luvDW]

Thanks so much! I have never flown before so this is all new to me and I was starting to get a little crazy! I thought that sounded a little strange! Any other information I should know would be great. I am also traveling with my 4 kids.

[ducklite]

Originally posted by luvDW
Thanks so much! I have never flown before so this is all new to me and I was starting to get a little crazy! I thought that sounded a little strange! Any other information I should know would be great. I am also traveling with my 4 kids.

Well, we've already told you not to check medications. You should also not check cameras, jewelry, money, credit cards, cash, lap tops, basically anything irreplacable or really expensive. If it's too big to carry on, than leave it home or ship Fed Ex in advance.

For each kid, pack a change of clothes and tooth brush. They should also each have some quiet, clean activities. This is not the time for playdoh or a police car which makes a siren noise :-). Books, crayons and coloring books or paper, or washable markers, Gameboys (keep volume off or use an earpiece), walkmans are all good choices. My son used to like to take a baggie of Green Army Men (at 15 they STILL can occupy him for a while!!) or a few matchbox cars, and an Etch a Sketch. If they are in school and bringing classwork, the plane is a GREAT time to work on that.

Also remember to pack some wipes, some snacks, and some juice boxes.

You might want to give them something to chew on (NOT GUM!) during take off and landing, taffy or tootsie rolls are great if they are old enough. If they are too young for that, a sippy cup or bottle to suck on will do the same thing.

Most of all, relax. Kids pick up on it if the adults are a bundle of nerves. Try to have all your packing done a couple days before you leave, and leave room in the suitcases for souveniers!

Anne

[jodyb]

Anne, I'm curious.... why do you say "not gum"? I always bring gum to prevent ear pressure
problems.... is there something I don't know?

[cbrfan]

I always carry my DH's electric shaver in my carryon. They're awfully expensive to replace if they get broken or "lost" in the checked baggage.

[flyingcircus]

I give my kids gum upon descent. My oldest ALWAYS has a problem going down to sea level, after being in Denver, and that is the best solution for her. The valsalva method is good, but hard for the little ones to do. ( Pinching the nose, and trying to blow out the ears).

Maybe Anne meant that it may be a mess. My children know that there is nothing grosser than someone sticking their ABC gum on something!!!! They throw it out.:D

[JesNJakesMom]

My parents, Sister & BIL just flew Airtran. They only took one carryon bag each so they wouldn't have to stop at baggage claim (they only stayed with us 3 nights) Boy were they surprised to find out that they couldn't bring mascara on the plane (confiscated) My BIL bought a new money clip at disney ($20) and was told by Orlando security that he could not bring it on the plane (confiscated), if they had luggage he could have put it in there but, he didn't and the security guy got a great money clip! Boy was my BIL Pi$$ed off! Needless to say, it wasn't just a money clip, it was also a golfing tool, had a divit (or something) which is what security was worried about! My parents made us take all the pins they got on the trip (since we drove) because she was worried they would take those too?

[luvDW]

Why no mascara?? That seems odd!

[CarolA]

The mascara does seem odd. I know that is not a normal occurance.

I can understand the golf divit thing though. Basically if it is metal and pointed they will have concerns.

[JesNJakesMom]

They told my mom that the mascara wand was longer than 4" or something and therefore could be used as a weapon, or something like that. She thinks that they took it because it was in her suitcase rather than in her purse. When they saw it through the x-ray machine it looked like a weapon so they searched her whole bag. My mom and sister also had to prove they wern't hiding anything in their bra's. Being underwire, it set off the alarm and so they took them behind the wall and made them lift their shirts. I really don't think I'll be doing any flying anytime soon!

[The Hunt]

With respect to the medicine, make sure that you carry it in the container that shows the prescription--don't transfer it to an unmarked container.

[luvDW]

I also saw on a show last night that they will confiscate anything that is in a aeresol form.Not sure why???

[CutlerP]

When we flew out of BDL (Hartford/Springfield) in October, they confiscated my nail clippers! Mind you, they were VERY small and didn't even have a file on them - just the clipper part!

We had a good laugh imagining ourselves trying to take over the plane with those! "WATCH OUT! Or I'll trim your nails too short!" *clip clip clip*:p

[imgoingtodisney]

Guess I'll have to go braless!!
Actually no worry for me - I hate the underwires so never wear those kind

[The Hunt]

I also saw on a show last night that they will confiscate anything that is in a aeresol form.Not sure why???

Well, when I was a youth we used to make flamethrowers out of spray cans by holding up a match to the nozzle--or maybe they are concerned the can might contain Mace or something like that.

[flyingcircus]

:confused:

That is VERY interesting about the mascara and the underwire bra. What airport is that???

As far as the bra situation goes, I am a little concerned about that. The wand should have been enough. And it NEVER NEVER should have happened that they would have people lift up their shirt behind a wall. Even though there is increased security, we still have rights!!!

There are certain guidelines if you need to be searched- First of all it has to be done with your permission. Of course, if you refuse, don't plan on getting on an airplane!
Second- the person "patting you down" HAS to be of the same gender. If not, demand it.
Third- if they need to physically search you, it has to be done in a room- not in public- behind a wall doesn't cut it.

Please, please, question ANY security practice that you think is odd. We have the right to ask, and know. They can't deny you boarding just because you ask! Ask for a supervisor, if you aren't getting the help you need.

[idontknow]

Oh, come on..........let me bare it all! LOL I think I'd just take my bra off infront of EVERYONE. You know, the old "flashdance" way of taking it off under your shirt. Wonder what they'd do if I said just a second, and then handed it to them. ;)

I understand security and will obide by what they say needs to be done. But really, my bra? Should I get a doctors excuse? LOL

[Miss Jasmine]

I really cannot believe that about the bras. That is very, very strange. And my underwire never sets off the magnometer.

[CarolA]

My bra did and I am not an above average size! When you hold up your hands you are still dressed so you do not have to go to a private room. They just want to wand around your breast area! My watch, bracelet, belt etc.. have set the thing off. I can now hop on the pad and stand like a tree on cue for them to wand and do the pat down!

[Snoozan]

I just flew from Bradley/Hartford 10 days ago with just carry-on luggage. I did not have my nail clippers or disposable razor confiscated and nothing was searched.

My only negative over all the additional security was that I couldn't buy the Mickey bottle stopper at Disney as I thought that might be confiscated due to the size/shape of it. I wasn't planning on checking luggage on the way home so didn't want to risk losing it to someone in security.

[ToyStory]

I just flew out of JFK to Charlotte. We kept our carry on luggage to a minimum. I just had my small purse with my glassess, check book, credit cards, and money. A child size back pack for my son with crayons, activity book, some plastic dinosours, and Monster Inc characters. My husand had a small tote that contained our camera, prescription medicine, hand wipes, a book, magazine, airline tickets and saline solution and eye drops for contacts.

Our bags weren't searched. An elderly man who was sitting next to us had a little pocket knife/sissor combo taken away. He said he purchsed it 30 years ago for a $1.00 and the knife was only 1 inch long and it was dull and the sissors were only good enough to cut a small string.

I was wearing an underwire bra and was wanded and it didn't set it off. The metal rivets on my jean pockets set it off and I had to pull up my sweater to my waist for the security to see my pockets. My husband had to show the back of his belt buckle to security when he was wanded. Also all jackets were to be taken off and put through the x-ray machine in a plactic container.

[chris1gill]

We are flying out Friday & this is a most interesting thread!!!

I don't want any of my clothes setting ANYTHING off, so I'll be the one wearing sweatpants, a sweatshirt & no bra!!!

If they ever asked me to lift my shirt due to a bra setting off the security alarm, I swear to god I'd take the thing off RIGHT THERE... you know, unhook it & slip off the arms from under my shirt...

I'm most concerned about the medication issue though, because I have a lot of them due to multiple health problems... not only that, but my DD is also on medication that needs to be refrigerated & we'll be bringing cooler packs with us to keep it cold....

[hellokitty]

I think they are taking advantage of the bra thing, maybe because you are attractive and they are perverts??
I cant believe that I think I would call for a higher up person!!!!
Now, I am parinoid and thinking of going out and buying a new bra!! I am small busted and need the push up underwire
but it would be so embarassing to pull up my bra considering i wear a water bra and they arnt mine!!!
I swear what is this world coming to!!!

I want to bring only carry on's as well did anyone have problems with curling irons?

[DebbieB]

Regarding the money clip or anything else confiscated, they should have been given the option to return to the check-in area and check it in a box. I was at MCO with a friend of mine 2 years ago and she accidentally packed a small toy gun she bought for her son at Pirates of the Carribean in her carryon with other souveniers. They pounced on the bag and took it out. She was given the option to go back and check it or let them have it. We had time so she went back out to the curb side check-in (no line) and they put it in a small box. It came out with the rest of the checked luggage at PIT, no problem.

Regarding the underwires, a girl from Hartford was in our office 2 weeks ago and hers set it off. They wanded her and asked if she had an underwire, she said yes and that was it, they didn't check her further.

[ducklite]

Originally posted by jodyb
Anne, I'm curious.... why do you say "not gum"? I always bring gum to prevent ear pressure
problems.... is there something I don't know?

Very simply because people, especially kids, don't know how to dispose of it. Again I sat in a seat and pulled out the safety card, only to find the pages stuck together with wads of disgusting grey gum goo. YUCK!!!

The worst was back in the early 1990's, when my hair was still long, the kid in the seat behind me managed to stand up and pull his gum out of his mouth, and get it stuck in my hair. I was not at all pleased. The worst part was that his mother acted like it was no big deal!! I came close to choking both of them. I literally had to have a flight attendent cut it out of my hair!

I think Singapore has the right idea, public caning for chewing the stuff.

Anne

[ducklite]

Most underwires are now made of plastic. My husbands bag was handsearched after they saw a can of shave cream in the bag, but it wasn't confiscated.

Anne