Airport security questions answered

[bmartin1206]

Hey it's me again...your friendly neighborhood TSA employee with my quarterly ( or close to that ) offer to answer any of your questions with regards to travel through airports security check points and checked baggage.
The biggest issue I continue to see is unexposed film in the checked luggage. This will ruin the film regardless of film speed and all of those memories lost. You may put film through the security check point x-ray if it's less than 800 speed but I recommend requesting it be hand checked by a security screener.
Feel free to email me with any other questions with respects to security screening.

Brian

 

[Disney Panda]

What tips do you have to avoid a hand search? I don't want to end up with a bag full of crumpled clothes.

 

[tricia]

I was just wondering on tips for travelling while wearing a prosthetic device. My husband has no right arm or shoulder and wears a prosthetic. Any tips so that he gets hassled a little less. It drives him nuts when the screeners try to reach in his shirt to check it out without asking him first.

 

[bmartin1206]

Tricia - The screeners shoould be more sensitive. I'm sorry some are not. The only suggestion I could make is to ask for a private screening. Some people are uncomfortable with various disabilities on both sides of the fence. This may help to ease the awkwardness.


Brian


Disney Panda - Tips ... though not guaranteed to be hassle free as we also do randoms whether you went off or not would be to remove any shoes you may be wearing unless they are tennis shoes. Nearly all shoes have metal shanks in the soles for support. As far as carry on bags, about the only good hint is to not pack any prohibited item such as pointed scissors, knives etc.

Brian

 

[Music Mole]

Brian - what a great idea! Thanks for starting this thread.

I have heard that checked baggage is also subject to random searches. But we always lock our suitcases. On has a little lock that they could cut attached to the zippers, so that suitcase could still be closed after the search. But we also have hard side suitcase with combination lock. They would have to break it open to search it and then they wouldn't be able to re-close it. When I asked Delta about it, they said if they didn't have the combo, rather breaking in, they would just not ship the luggage. We'd have to figure out that it's missing once we land, give the combination to the luggage attendants of the airline, then they would search it and send it on another plane. What are your thougts - should we just by a second soft-side suitcase with zippers and a lock that can be cut?

 

[bmartin1206]

Music Mole - It is no longer random searches. As per Federal law beginning the first of this year all checked luggage is 100% inspected utilizing CATSCAN, X-Ray, Explosive detection machines and occassionally even canines. For each bag that gives us concern we hand inspect and re-seal. It could be inspected for anything. I can't discuss specifics but suffice it to say we take all possibilities no matter how minor, seriously. What may seem silly can be cleaverly disguised. Remember the shoe bomber? Things are not always as they appear when looking through an x-ray.
What the airlines is telling I don't believe to be correct about leaving your bag. We are instructed to pry the lock open if we cannot unlock it on hard suitcases. Many times we can do this without damaging the lock but occassionally it is unavoidable. Inthat case we do our inspection then reseal the suitcase holding it with tape if necessary so it can make it's flight. While this may seem extreme to some it is necessary in today's climate and probably the future as well. I would buy a suitcase with zippers as we will use pastic ties to reseal after inspection and it can be cut by finger nail clippers when you receive it. Rather than invest in a lock every time one is cut I recommend you also seal your bag with the plastic ties. They are just as effective and a lot cheaper.

 

[Music Mole]

Brian - great suggestions - I think it's time to buy a new suitcase! We have always borrowed a large one from my in-laws in the past (great system because we were never traveling at the same time) - but I wouldn't want to risk that happening to a suitcase that did not belong to me. Thanks for the info!

 

[AuroraBelleCindy]

I would just like to add that if your bag is inspected and they seal it with a plastic tie (as they did mine) make sure you have something on hand to clip it open. I had nail clippers but unfortunately they were in the sealed suitcase! I didn't want to bring them in my carry-on because I wasn't sure if they would be allowed on. We got to our hotel at about 2:00 a.m. and I couldn't get inside my suitcase. My husband finally found something to open it with.

 

[Music Mole]

AuroraBelleCindy: My husband has the same thought. So, does anyone know if nail clippers are allowed in carry-ons these days?

 

[suzimar57]

i'd like to know the answer to that myself - last year, our nail clipper was taken away before boarding, so when we arrived in wdw, we had to use scissors at the check-in counter to cut the cable ties on our luggage!

this year, i bought a teensy "baby" nail clipper - it's only 1-1/2" long, and does not have a nail file attached - would this be allowed in a carry-on?

 

[2bemarried]

Here's my question.....what's the weight restriction of checked luggage? My fi and I are going to WDW for 11 days....and I'm a packer!! I like to make sure that I have enough of everything...especially for a honeymoon. I tend to pack a lot of shoes too.

 

[AuroraBelleCindy]

I believe I do know the answer to the weight restrictions for luggage. Your bag has to be less than 75 lbs. If it is over they will charge you $50. I weighed my bag on the bathroom scale because it felt so heavy but it was only about 30 lbs.

 

[rapunzal]

where can you buy those ties for the suitcases? What store?

 

[vicnmickey]

You can get them in the hardware dept. They sell them in all different sizes!

 

[Sugardimples]

The last time I flew (January 2003) from BWI, the plastic ties were available at the airport for free. They were on a table right in the check in area.

 

[obsessed]

I am concerned with packing suitcases that are not too big. What are the measurements, and how are they taken? I have a suitcase set with lots of outside pockets that I usually stuff with smaller items like socks. If I stuff well, it will really increase the size of the suitcase. I don't want to overpack, but we are 4 people going to WDW and the cruise for 10 days. DS , 14, wears such oversized clothing that he is going to need 2 suitcases for himself!

 

[AWilliams]

I think the luggage/per bag weight limit on Delta is 50 pounds. Our largest suitcase weighs 13 pounds empty!!! I'm going to pack clothes and light items in that one and shoes and heavier stuff in the smaller bag.

 

[nanajoyx2]

I believe nail clippers are allowed on board again, but if you don't want to chance it, put them in the outside zipper compartment of your suitcase. We flew to Orlando shortly after Sept. 11 when nothing like that was allowed so we just put the items not allowed on the plane (purse mirrors, nail files and clippers) into the small outside compartments. We never lock these areas, so the items are available when we start to unpack.

 

[MOMO2DK]

Hi Brain,
Thanks for your information.

I have 2 questions.
First, I love to needlepoint/cross stitch and find that flying is miserable unless I can stitch- is a sewing needle allowed on planes.

Also, with regards to luggage being scanned- when we travel to WDW we bring our teflon frying pan (strange but true!). Will this packed item insure that our luggage under go further scrutiny?

 

[obsessed]

I have not had a problem bringing a blunt needle which is usually what you use for cross stitch or needlepoint, but you cannot bring scissors to cut the threads. One of my friends found a wonderful little needle threader with a tiny blade on the end that cuts the thread. I have not yet had a problem bringing that on a plane.