Don't Pack Food or Beverages in Checked Luggage anymore... New policies..

[Shannon G]

The screener will not just be going through outer clothing, they will have to do a complete search of everything in the bag including all the personal care items. I wouldn't think that you as an ER worker would handle things that goes into someone's mouth (or whatever) and then go to another patient without either washing your hands or getting a new pair of gloves.... Am I wrong about that?

It seems like you could address this concern by putting personal care items, such as a toothbrush, into individual clear plastic bags. If security sees a small clear plastic bag with just a toothbrush in it, they should not have to actually take it out of the bag during a search. This would allow security to perform a thorough search, while also protecting personal items from direct contact. In order to be most effective, I would think you should put each item in a separate bag - if multiple items are in one bag, security may need to empty them in order to check each item.

 

[Rhonda922]

Hi -

We're going to be travelling to Florida next month. I get really tired of standing around wasting time waiting and waiting at baggage claim for our bags to arrive. Are the airlines (we're flying Spirit) allowing passengers to bring their suitcases on board the plane? We would have only one bag each and they are reasonably sized. I plan to only take the basic necessities and keep everything to a bare minimum. Will we be stuck checking everything when we fly? I surely expect that any baggage brought aboard will be thoroughly searched.

 

[jmminarik]

The airlines have gotten alot stricter about the size of carry-on luggage. A 'regular' suitcase will be too big to fit carry-on and must be checked. I think the rule is each passenger gets '1' carry-on, and then one personal bag...large purse or briefcase.

We too hate 'waiting' for the luggage to arrive, so on the few instances we fly when traveling, we always pack carry-on. If it doesn't fit into the carry-ons, its not important enough to go. Memorabilia can always be shipped home.

Of course, if we can drive there within 24 hours, we'll drive. Without munchkins its alot easier, but it gives wifey-poo and I time to spend together, is generally cheaper, and since I don't drive to work, driving isn't something I associate with the drudgery of day to day living. We're also not packed into the back of an airplane like cattle.

-Joe

 

[Rhonda922]

Hi -

I don't think I could ever drive to Florida. I see that you're in Phila. Well, we'd have about the same drive time as you since we're in New Jersey. I just don't have the patience to sit in the car all that way. I've seriously thought about it because I think it'd be great to be on your own schedule and go and come back when you want and not have to deal with the hassles that can arise at the airport. Plus, you can have the use of your own car once you're in Florida and not have to rent one. Maybe one day we'll drive down but I like the fact that we can be down there in a little over 2 hours.

 

[clhcpaca]

Since there is a TSA employee on this thread, maybe you can answer my question.
I usually go to WDW for 2 weeks solo and pack one suitcase mostly with snack items. I am diabetic and take snacks with me every day to the parks as all the walking etc. can really lower my blood sugar. I am planning another solo trip this September (I do not rent a car), and will be taking snack items along. They are much cheaper here then trying to get them on a "grocery stop".
What are your suggections to make it easier on myself and TSA? I can't carry two weeks worth in my carry-on, plus I already carry all my prescription bottles in it. I pack my blood testing equipment, because I haven't wanted to be hassled about it.
Any suggections would be greatly appreciated?

Thanks, Cindy

 

[safetymom]

Are you speaking in an official way for the TSA? For anyone needing information I would suggest contacting the TSA instead of just depending on the information received here.

 

[bmartin1206]

SafetyMom,

Thank you for your input. As I have suggested I am only a TSA employee involved with customer and baggage screening and offering information as it is known to me. This information is suppose to be consistant across the nation but it never hurts to check the TSA.gov website and check with your airline carrier.

 

[safetymom]

I would be careful about posting. Most govt. agencies have policies about what you can comment on. You don't want to get yourself in trouble while trying to help people.

 

[bmartin1206]

Thanks for your concern.

 

[clhcpaca]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will check the site and email them, if I can't find an answer.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays, Cindy

 

[jgates]

I had no problems with the following items:

syringes
bloodtester - lancets
insulin
test strips
tester

etc. I would highly suggest keeping them on you rather than in your case. The insulin can be damaged by jarring/dropping etc or extreme temperature changes. I always try to stagger filling my prescriptions so I have one bottle of lantus in my purse and one in the overnight back that goes thru luggage and the same with the novolog. Also- get duplicates of your prescriptions written up by your physician in case something happens and you need to get refills. (Unless you are filling at Walgreens where they can do it nationwide). WM can only transfer a prescription once and then you need to get it redone. Too much hassle.

You get the idea. I was rather worried about syringes but they didn't even blink twice. Maybe because it is such a tiny needle?

I also carried (in a large - heavy fabric bag) several bottles of juice, candy bars etc. I doubt I would want to pack 2 weeks worth- it wouldn't be worth the trouble. I would either taxi to Publix or if I had a rental vehicle - go to WM.

 

[tink2dw]

As a person with Addison's Disease,which lowers my Auto-immune system,which allows me to get ill easily,from Dr. offices,Sunday School with children,and Malls. How would I tell that to the TSA employee so they can use a clean pair of gloves to inspect my luggage??? We will be flying 1/01/03.

And if you only pack clothes in your checked bag,will it need to be "handled" during inspection?

Dh wants to know if he can pack his swiss army knife in his checked luggage??

 

[bmartin1206]

ASk the TSA employee if they could use a fresh pair of gloves due to your immune deficiency. They won't know otherwise.
If all you pack in a carry on is clothes and nothing else (toilettries, etc) then odds are very good that your bag may not be searched. This is in no way a guarantee for reasons I may not discuss.
You may pack a knife in your checked luggage. It may not be carried through the security check point and onto the plane.

 

[idontknow]

We flew in Sept and DH always takes his pocket knife. (he also has a chain for his wallet) He just puts both items in the checked luggage and no one has ever said a word. The last time we flew, he forgot to take the chain off of his wallet and no one said anything to him. I was shocked! I was so sure they would confiscate it, but they didn't. I also always have a padded manilla envelope in our carryon. If they find anything they want to confiscate, I can put it in the mailer and drop it in a mailbox addressed to my mom's house. We've never had to use it, but I feel better knowing we have the option to mail something home instead of loosing it forever.

 

[bmartin1206]

Wallet chains are not probited therefore it would not raise an eyebrow normally. It is not our goal to make security a hassle rather we try to focus on being discreetly thorough and efficient with our main focus put into looking for items which may be prohibited.
Having said that, it is wise to remove any and all metal before going through any airport metal detectors, including shoes. Nearly all shoes except for the majority of tennis shoes have metal shanks for support in the soles of shoes. The fact that they may not have alarmed in one airport is not an indication that this will be true in another.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by bmartin1206
We haven't heard a definitive on Samsonite like luggage. I've heard we're going to have tools to pop the locks which I don't think we'll do. I would believe we would first try to locate the owner. Any sort of padlock we will cut off and replace with a plastic tie once we've finished the search. At our airport everything will be checked below so passengers will not be readily available.
Although theft is always a possibility, you have to understand we are Federal employee's who have all had extensive background checks from the FBI to local police. In short we are a better quality of people. Everyone I work with is totally on the up and up. Lock your suitcases if you must but be aware if we think it's suspicious we will resolve it before it goes to the plane. So don't be mad if the lock has been cut.
The whole issue about food is that it often will give an alarm for reasons I cannot discuss. For this reason it will slow down the process for every bag we have to physically investigate.

I guess that some food is wrapped in aluminum or some type of metalic wrapper like pop tarts and that would set off the alarms?

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by skiwee1
I guess that some food is wrapped in aluminum or some type of metalic wrapper like pop tarts and that would set off the alarms?

Yes it would. While traveling on business in the UK, a friend was held up at the scanners because his package of pop-tarts set off the alarms.

-Joe

 

[bmartin1206]

Other countries have different rules. Now if you carried the pop tarts through on your person then yes it will alarm as will gum and other foiled candies you would not normally think of.

 

[Nutts4DVC]

Below is taken from the travel area on the Federal aviation site. The yes or no answers are for allowed 1. carry on 2. checked luggage. You can down this to your computer by going to this site:


http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/display?theme=12

Forgot to mention-according to this you ARE allowed to bring knitting needles onboard.






Permitted and Prohibited Items
Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, incendiaries, and include items that
are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons—the so-called “dual
use” items. You may not bring these items to security checkpoints without
authorization.
If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint, you may be criminally and/or
civilly prosecuted or, at the least, asked to rid yourself of the item. A screener
and/or Law Enforcement Officer will make this determination, depending on
what the item is and the circumstances. This is because bringing a prohibited
item to a security checkpoint—even accidentally—is illegal.
Your prohibited item may be detained for use in an investigation and, if
necessary, as evidence in your criminal and/or civil prosecution. If permitted
by the screener or Law Enforcement Officer, you may be allowed to: consult
with the airlines for possible assistance in placing the prohibited item in
checked baggage; withdraw with the item from the screening checkpoint at
that time; make other arrangements for the item, such as taking it to your car;
or, voluntarily abandon the item. Items that are voluntarily abandoned cannot
be recovered and will not be returned to you.
The following chart outlines items that are permitted and items that are
prohibited in your carry-on or checked baggage. You should note that some
items are allowed in your checked baggage, but not your carry-on. Also pay
careful attention to the “Notes” included at the bottom of each section – they
contain important information about restrictions.
The prohibited and permitted items chart is not intended to be all-inclusive and
is updated as necessary. To ensure everyone’s security, the screener may
determine that an item not on the prohibited items chart is prohibited. In
addition, the screener may also determine that an item on the permitted chart
is dangerous and therefore may not be brought through the security
checkpoint.
The chart applies to flights originating within the United States. Please check
with your airline or travel agent for restrictions at destinations outside of the
United States.
For updates and for more information, visit our website at
www.TSATravelTips.us or call our Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-
866-289-9673 or email TellTSA@tsa.dot.gov.
Rev 11.21.02
Can I take it? Carry-on Checked
Personal Items
Cigar Cutters Yes Yes
Corkscrews Yes Yes
Cuticle Cutters Yes Yes
Eyeglass Repair Tools (including screwdrivers) Yes Yes
Eyelash Curlers Yes Yes
Knitting and Crochet Needles Yes Yes
Knives, round-bladed butter or plastic Yes Yes
Nail Clippers Yes Yes
Nail Files Yes Yes
Personal care or toiletries with aerosols, in limited
quantities (such as hairsprays, deodorants)
Yes Yes
Safety Razors (including disposable razors) Yes Yes
Scissors-plastic or metal with blunt tips Yes Yes
Scissors-metal with pointed tips No Yes
Toy Transformer Robots Yes Yes
Toy Weapons (if not realistic replicas) Yes Yes
Tweezers Yes Yes
Umbrellas (allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been
inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed)
Yes Yes
Walking Canes (allowed in carry-on baggage once they have been
inspected to ensure that prohibited items are not concealed)
Yes Yes
Note Some personal care items containing aerosol are regulated as hazardous materials. The FAA
regulates hazardous materials. This information is summarized at http://cas.faa.gov/these.html
Medication and Special Needs Devices
Braille Note-Taker, Slate and Stylus, Augmentation
Devices
Yes Yes
Diabetes-Related Supplies/Equipment, (once inspected to
ensure prohibited items are not concealed) including: insulin and insulin
loaded dispensing products; vials or box of individual vials; jet injectors;
pens; infusers; and preloaded syringes; and an unlimited number of
unused syringes, when accompanied by insulin; lancets; blood glucose
meters; blood glucose meter test strips; insulin pumps; and insulin pump
supplies. Insulin in any form or dispenser must be properly marked with
a professionally printed label identifying the medication or manufacturer’s
name or pharmaceutical label.
Yes Yes
Nitroglycerine pills or spray for medical use (if properly
marked with a professionally printed label identifying the medication or
manufacturer’s name or pharmaceutical label)
Yes Yes
Prosthetic Device Tools and Appliances, including drill,
allen wrenches, pullsleeves used to put on or remove prosthetic devices,
if carried by the individual with the prosthetic device or his or her
companion
Yes Yes
Rev 11.21.02
Can I take it? Carry-on Checked
Electronic Devices
Camcorders Yes Yes
Camera Equipment
The checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped
film in camera equipment. We recommend that you either put
undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your
carry-on baggage or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint
and ask the screener to conduct a hand-inspection.
Yes Yes
Laptop Computers Yes Yes
Mobile Phones Yes Yes
Pagers Yes Yes
Personal Data Assistants (PDA’s) Yes Yes
Note Check with your airline or travel agent for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic
items during your flight.
Sharp Objects
Box Cutters No Yes
Ice Axes/Ice Picks No Yes
Knives (any length and type except round-bladed, butter, and plastic
cutlery)
No Yes
Meat Cleavers No Yes
Razor-Type Blades, such as box cutters, utility knives, razor
blades not in a cartridge, but excluding safety razors
No Yes
Sabers No Yes
Scissors – metal with pointed tips
Scissors with plastic or metal blunt tips are permitted in your carry-on.
No Yes
Swords No Yes
Note Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury
to baggage handlers and inspectors.
Sporting Goods
Baseball Bats No Yes
Bows and Arrows No Yes
Cricket Bats No Yes
Golf Clubs No Yes
Hockey Sticks No Yes
Lacrosse Sticks No Yes
Pool Cues No Yes
Ski Poles No Yes
Spear Guns No Yes
Note Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury
to baggage handlers and security screeners.
Rev 11.21.02
Can I take it? Carry-on Checked
Guns and Firearms
Ammunition
Check with your airline or travel agent to see if ammunition is permitted in checked
baggage on the airline you are flying. If ammunition is permitted, it must be
declared to the airline at check-in. Small arms ammunitions for personal use must
be securely packed in fiber, wood or metal boxes, or other packaging specifically
designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ask about limitations or fees, if
any, that apply.
No Yes
BB guns No Yes
Compressed Air Guns No Yes
Firearms No Yes
Flare Guns No No
Gun Lighters No No
Gun Powder No No
Parts of Guns and Firearms No Yes
Pellet Guns No Yes
Realistic Replicas of Firearms No Yes
Starter Pistols No Yes
Note Check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are
flying. Ask about limitations or fees, if any, that apply. Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded,
packed in a locked hard-sided gun case, and declared to the airline at check-in. Only you, the passenger, may have
the key or combination.
Tools
Axes and Hatchets No Yes
Cattle Prods No Yes
Crowbars No Yes
Hammers No Yes
Drills (including cordless portable power drills) No Yes
Saws (including cordless portable power saws) No Yes
Screwdrivers (except those in eyeglass repair kits) No Yes
Tools (including but not limited to wrenches and pliers) No Yes
Wrenches and Pliers No Yes
Note Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage
handlers and security screeners.
Martial Arts/Self Defense Items
Billy Clubs No Yes
Black Jacks No Yes
Brass Knuckles No Yes
Kubatons No Yes
Mace/Pepper Spray
One 118 ml or 4 Fl. oz. container of mace or pepper spray is permitted in
checked baggage provided it is equipped with a safety mechanism to
prevent accidental discharge. For more information on these and other
hazardous materials, visit http://cas.faa.gov/these.html .
No Yes
Martial Arts Weapons No Yes
Night Sticks No Yes
Nunchakus No Yes
Rev 11.21.02
Can I take it? Carry-on Checked
Martial Arts/Self Defense Items
Stun Guns/Shocking Devices No Yes
Throwing Stars No Yes
Note Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to
baggage handlers and security screeners.
Explosive Materials
Blasting caps No No
Dynamite No No
Fireworks No No
Flares in any form No No
Hand Grenades No No
Plastic Explosives No No
Flammable Items
Aerosol (any except for personal care or toiletries in limited quantities) No No
Fuels (including cooking fuels and any flammable liquid fuel) No No
Gasoline No No
Gas Torches No No
Lighter Fluid No No
Strike-anywhere Matches No No
Turpentine and paint thinner No No
Note There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is
summarized at http://cas.faa.gov/these.html
Disabling Chemicals and Other Dangerous Items
Chlorine for pools and spas No No
Compressed Gas Cylinders (including fire extinguishers) No No
Liquid Bleach No No
Spillable Batteries (except those in wheelchairs) No No
Spray Paint No No
Tear Gas No No
Note There are other hazardous materials that are regulated by the FAA. This information is
summarized at http://cas.faa.gov/these.html

 

[MaryJ]

Forgot to mention-according to this you ARE allowed to bring knitting needles onboard.

This is the exact list that my DD found online before taking her trip to Dallas in November. Apparently not everyone at every airport knows about this list because she was still not allowed to take her knitting on board. I hope that with the new security measures taking place tomorrow, this list will be seen by ALL airport officials. Now that people can access it online, it creates much confusion when those working at the airport aren't "in the know."