items through security

[Storm632]

I have learned a lot from this board in the past 3 months. Actually, it prepared me for the screenings at the airport when we picked my husband up for his R&R from Iraq. We were able to meet him at the gate!! We are taking a vacation in June, and I haven't flown in 17 years. I know about the shoes, 3-1-1 bags, laptops; but I am wondering what other electronics need to be taken out of the carry-on and placed in the bin separately. Things such as a Nintendo DS, MP-3, or any other game system that we might haul with, as well as cameras. I appreciate all the help you have given. It's been great learning from the expert flyers!

 

[debster812]

Laptops come out of bags, and go in the bin by themselves. You may or may not be asked to power it up, so make sure there is at least a little charge in the battery.

I have always left iPods, portable DVD players, and Gameboys in their specific carryons and sent them through. Sometimes we're asked to claim our bag and pull them out, to show to one of the TSA agents, sometimes not.

We're a little bit special case though, because my 10 year old is on a 'list' and about 75% of the time we fly, he gets flagged for additional security screening. He's an old pro at it at this point.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Laptops come out of bags, and go in the bin by themselves. You may or may not be asked to power it up, so make sure there is at least a little charge in the battery.

I have always left iPods, portable DVD players, and Gameboys in their specific carryons and sent them through. Sometimes we're asked to claim our bag and pull them out, to show to one of the TSA agents, sometimes not.

We're a little bit special case though, because my 10 year old is on a 'list' and about 75% of the time we fly, he gets flagged for additional security screening. He's an old pro at it at this point.

Poor kid! The time they invest in patting him down sure could be better spent.

 

[WillCAD]

I'm not an expert flier, but the only airports I deal with are my own BWI, and MCO.

MCO will not ask you to remove any electronics from the bags except laptops; just leave them in your carry-ons and put them on the belt.

Digital cameras are fine to go through the x-ray machines; just leave them in the camera bag.

If you use a film camera, however, including disposables, the film can be damaged by passing through the x-ray machine. It requires some special consideration; see my web page on the subject:
http://willcad.org/image_film_tips.html

To make things easier on yourselves, empty your pockets out into a ziploc bag and put it into your carry-ons before you ever get to the security line. Leave only your IDs and boarding pases in your pockets - you will need them to get into the line - and be prepared to remove shoes and jackets quickly. Wear the lightest jackets you can get away with when dressing to go to the airport that morning, and wear shoes that can be easily slipped on and off without fiddling with laces or straps. Check yourselves out at home, before you even leave for the airport, to make sure that you're not carrying anything on the prohibited list, and check your carry-ons thoroughly to make sure you haven't forgotten something that might be on the prohibited list.

Forewarned is forearmed. Think about it all ahead of time and you won't have to worry about it in the airport at all.

 

[bavaria]

I carry a lot of electronics in my carry on luggage, and also travel internationally as well as to/within the United States. I fly almost every week of the year.

I have never had to remove anything except for my laptop in the last several years. I usually travel with a video iPod, iPod shuffle, travel hard drive, router, digital camera and possibly a few more items in my laptop bag. I do keep them all in one case inside my bag; more for convenience sake than anything else.

I am amazed every week when I fly how many people don't seem to understand at all about security, so good for you for doing research.

On your travel day, wear simple clothes that you can remove easily ie be prepared to take off jackets and shoes. Avoid metal hardware on clothing and excess jewelry.

My 'routine' is to take two bins; laptop in bin, 3-1-1 bag in bin, jacket in bin, shoes in bin, hold boarding pass, place laptop bag and handbag on conveyor, and push them to the front of the conveyor. (you wouldn't believe how many people dump their things and just walk to the TSA screener, leaving a back up on the belt. Please put your items to the rollers so that they will go through the screening)

When retrieving your items, please move your bins all the way down and step aside while putting on your shoes, helping your children, etc. This makes room for everyone else who is coming through, and who may not need as much time as you to put themselves back in order.

 

[debster812]

Poor kid! The time they invest in patting him down sure could be better spent.

It's really not that bad. We fly once or twice a year, and at this point, he's better versed at getting through security than many adults we see.

It started when he was 6 or 7, and honestly, has added maybe 90 minutes TOTAL to all the trips we've taken since. We also lucked out because the first time it happened, we got FANTASTIC TSA agents at Logan, and at Ft Myers, who really diffused it for him.

Bavaria is as usual correct, kudos to the OP for educating themselves before you get in the security line! Like her (see I knew too ), we usually have a couple of iPods, portable DVD player, Gameboy, and laptop.

 

[Storm632]

Thank you for all your posts. I think the more we know, the easier and quicker the process will be. This will help me and actually decrease the work, because I originally thought all electronics had to be pulled out. Thanks again!

 

[CarolA]

Portable DVDs are now suppose to be removed from the bag. I have seen several being "rescreened" because they weren't removed. Basically it's things with "big" batteries. (0r is the mood of your local TSA "agent")

 

[CarolA]

Laptops come out of bags, and go in the bin by themselves. You may or may not be asked to power it up, so make sure there is at least a little charge in the battery.

I have always left iPods, portable DVD players, and Gameboys in their specific carryons and sent them through. Sometimes we're asked to claim our bag and pull them out, to show to one of the TSA agents, sometimes not.

We're a little bit special case though, because my 10 year old is on a 'list' and about 75% of the time we fly, he gets flagged for additional security screening. He's an old pro at it at this point.

And aren't we all "safer" because of this? I mean they have identified "potential" terrorists. IDIOITS run this agency!!!!

So while we are doing a "pat down" on a 10 year old the REAL terrorist is off doing something. This is an "effective" use of my tax dollars to deal with what the TSA thinks are real threats?

(It's also incredibly sad!)

 

[klmall]

I carry a lot of electronics in my carry on luggage, and also travel internationally as well as to/within the United States. I fly almost every week of the year.

I have never had to remove anything except for my laptop in the last several years. I usually travel with a video iPod, iPod shuffle, travel hard drive, router, digital camera and possibly a few more items in my laptop bag. I do keep them all in one case inside my bag; more for convenience sake than anything else.

I agree for the most part: We've traveled several times in the past three years but this past month noticed that BWI did NOT require anything to be separated or removed from your carryons, not even my laptop. TSA even told me that I could have kept it in my backpack!

Orlando was another story. I didn't remove my laptop (based on my BWI experience) but was told to at the last moment.

And what happened to pulling out your quart baggie of liquids? I even reviewed the online video info etc. and it still clearly shows the baggie in the plastic bin for screening. No one was doing that but us it seemed.

Oh, well! I'm sure there will be some new wrinkle when I fly in July!

 

[WillCAD]

I agree for the most part: We've traveled several times in the past three years but this past month noticed that BWI did NOT require anything to be separated or removed from your carryons, not even my laptop. TSA even told me that I could have kept it in my backpack!

Orlando was another story. I didn't remove my laptop (based on my BWI experience) but was told to at the last moment.

And what happened to pulling out your quart baggie of liquids? I even reviewed the online video info etc. and it still clearly shows the baggie in the plastic bin for screening. No one was doing that but us it seemed.

Oh, well! I'm sure there will be some new wrinkle when I fly in July!

Maybe you just happened to go through at a time when nobody but you had any liquids in their carry-on. I mean, it could happen...

Personally, I think about half of the differences that people see in what's required of travellers are because TSA is not properly training its people in a consistent manner around the country; the policies are somewhat vague and subject to personal interpretation, and in the absense of proper training, each TSA screener does the best they can, influenced almost as much by their mood, personality, and philosphy as they are by the actual rules.

The other half of the difference comes from the fact that DHS likes to mix rules and policies up at random in an attempt to be unpredictable enough that "The Bad Guys" won't be able to follow them and figure out ways to circumvent them. Once in a while they also throw in a knee-jerk, paniced, reactionary measure in response to an actual threat, perceived threat, or potential threat, but most of those measures serve mainly to delay flights without significantly increasing security.

I think the hardest part about flying these days is keeping ones cool when confronted with the unexpected, either an unexpected delay or an unexpected security measure. When pulled aside for the Super Mega Ultra Platinum First Class Screening and Wanding, it's difficult not to have visions of being hauled off to Gitmo, indefinitely held incommunicado, and being subjected to perfectly humane, reasonable, non-torture interrogation techniches such as sleep deprivation, fake electroshock therapy, and waterboarding.

But if you can live through all that, Mickey is waiting for you at the other end.

 

[Taja]

I had the remains of a roll of quarters (tolls & laundry) in the side pocket of my laptop bag when leaving Orlando. Even after identifying them, they insisted on a simple pat down. I must have looked harmless--the TSA agent allowed me to keep my purse in sight! I've had some that insist on removing me from my purse. Talk about panic! Not really--just very uneasy that someone might walk off with it--and my wallet, ID, house key...

 

[Mallow]

This may be a dumb question but 3-1-1 bags?

 

[bavaria]

This may be a dumb question but 3-1-1 bags?

it sounds like you need to familiarize yourself with the liquid and gel restrictions. Visit www.tsa.gov if you are flying in the US, or www.catsa.ca if you are flying to/from Canada.