Flying for noobs

[SixLetterMan]

I travel quite a bit for work and here are some quick tips. If checking in a bag and carrying one with you on the plane, throw in a day's worth of clothes in your carry-on in case your checked luggage gets lost/delayed. That way, you will have one change of clothes. If you are checking in multiple bags, mix the clothes up between the two bags. If one bag gets lost/delayed, you will have some complete sets instead of losing the bag that has all of your pants, etc.

I always bring a backpack with me on all trips that can fit under the seat in front of me. My backpack holds my laptop, extra shirt, socks, etc. Before arriving at the ticket gate, I throw my wallet, watch, belt, phone, etc. in the backpack and only have the necessary items like ID and boarding pass with me so I'm not fumbling around at security. Once I'm past security, I just take my bag to the nearest gate and put everything back on like belt, etc. so I'm out of the way. Make sure to print out all plane ticket confirmations, hotel confirmations, etc. with you.

I hope this helps.

 

[PinkBudgie]

According to the TSA webpage about the 3-1-1 rule:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons

"Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening."


Personally, I put my normal 3-1-1 liquids into their own zip-top bag. Then I put my medical liquids (epi-pens, liquid meds, etc) into their OWN separate zip-top bag. I put BOTH into the tray, noting to the screener that the one bag is medication. I also have some medical liquids that do not fit in the quart bags. I have a separate larger bag for them (I like the idea of a barrier between those grey bins and my medication containers, TYVM!). It, too, goes into the grey bins and the screener there is told it is medical liquids.

I have never had a problem with this strategy. Worse case, for the larger containers they have swabbed them and/or their bag for their explosives test. When they ask-tell me if they can swab it, I tell them that is fine but I ask them to please change gloves since I am trying to keep the containers clean; they always have without any problem.

-SW

Thank you, that was what I was looking for. Good point about the gloves! Ick!

I travel quite a bit for work and here are some quick tips. If checking in a bag and carrying one with you on the plane, throw in a day's worth of clothes in your carry-on in case your checked luggage gets lost/delayed. That way, you will have one change of clothes. If you are checking in multiple bags, mix the clothes up between the two bags. If one bag gets lost/delayed, you will have some complete sets instead of losing the bag that has all of your pants, etc.

I always bring a backpack with me on all trips that can fit under the seat in front of me. My backpack holds my laptop, extra shirt, socks, etc. Before arriving at the ticket gate, I throw my wallet, watch, belt, phone, etc. in the backpack and only have the necessary items like ID and boarding pass with me so I'm not fumbling around at security. Once I'm past security, I just take my bag to the nearest gate and put everything back on like belt, etc. so I'm out of the way. Make sure to print out all plane ticket confirmations, hotel confirmations, etc. with you.

I hope this helps.

Good idea about putting some of your clothes in the other suitcase. I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Unas]

According to the TSA webpage about the 3-1-1 rule:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons

"Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint. Officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening."


Personally, I put my normal 3-1-1 liquids into their own zip-top bag. Then I put my medical liquids (epi-pens, liquid meds, etc) into their OWN separate zip-top bag. I put BOTH into the tray, noting to the screener that the one bag is medication. I also have some medical liquids that do not fit in the quart bags. I have a separate larger bag for them (I like the idea of a barrier between those grey bins and my medication containers, TYVM!). It, too, goes into the grey bins and the screener there is told it is medical liquids.

I have never had a problem with this strategy. Worse case, for the larger containers they have swabbed them and/or their bag for their explosives test. When they ask-tell me if they can swab it, I tell them that is fine but I ask them to please change gloves since I am trying to keep the containers clean; they always have without any problem.

-SW

It's also wise to get them to change gloves before any swab for explosives.