Navigating the airport and security - tips

[NotUrsula]

Is this an airline rule, or do you just mean that it will take more time? DS loves his light-up shoes, and was planning on wearing them.

It's not an airline rule, but the topic was tips for getting through security with minimum delay and hassle. Taking lace-up shoes off small children and putting them back on is never a minimum hassle. Security at most airports will not ask you to take the shoes off of really little kids as a normal thing, but they almost always will if they are light ups. Skipping the light-up shoes is not a mandatory choice, but IMO it's a wise choice.

When I look at these issues, I try not only to think of how much longer it will take me to get through the line, but what kind of ripple effect that my delay might have on those coming behind me. Anytime a person chooses to wear something that is a sure-fire dinger at the checkpoint, they are contributing to security delays, because you almost always end up blocking traffic to some extent while you put whatever it is back on.

The thing is, no one HAS to remove shoes for checkpoint screening (http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183&content=0900051****b68b8). However, doing it is usually quicker than not doing it if you make it a point to wear shoes that slip easily off and on. When travelling, I go for the path of least resistance wherever possible.

Oh, and about that overhead bin... Only an idiot would want a laptop to be the only item in a bin; the more snugly packed the bin, the less the items will shift. You really don't want a laptop to be banging back and forth across 3 feet of empty bin for several hours. An expensive coat perhaps might benefit from being by itself in a bin, but not a laptop. (Of course, we already knew that the man in question was an idiot, didn't we?)

 

[caitycaity]

i fly out of dulles frequenbtly and as of a few weeks ago, they were still "requiring" people to take off their shoes. they will let you walk through with your shoes still on, but then you get extra security (even if you don't beep going through the detector). so, you may want to take off your shoes even if they won't set off the metal detector.

 

[Lewisc]

The overhead bins fill up. If your bag won't fit under the seat in front of you consider checking it. No sense dragging it through security only to have to gate check it.

Luggage, particularly on non-stop flights, doesn't generally get lost. MCO is fast. The luggage may beat you to the carousel.

Some shoes, older Rockport for example, have a steel shank. If you have any doubt take your shoe off before you're asked.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

What if you travel if only a backpack? Only curious

 

[MouseClubMom]

Great post, Bavaria. Would you mind if I copied it over to our Fear of Flying website (www.takingflight.us)? We are always looking for tips to make flying easier for those who are anxious.

I fly out of BNA all the time too and WHAT is it with their security line? It is always MILES long no matter which side you go in on. Yikes.

 

[bavaria]

Go for it - we are all here to learn from each other. I learn things from other posters all the time!

 

[disneyeveryyear]

We typically fly out of STL - Concourse C (I believe). It is usually very busy at the security lines there because most of the AA flights use this concourse.

We have learned to go to Concourse B Security. This concourse is utilized by mostly small commuter planes. We usually have no wait in line. Then we just stay in the secure zone and walk over to C. Many people are still in line.

The TSA people seem much more relaxed at the smaller concourse also. Probably less stress.

 

[bavaria]

* bump *

 

[DebbieB]

Just came back from Orlando. At PIT, they are getting picky about tennis shoes. My Keds were OK, but they made my mom take off her Reebock Princess tennis shoes, because they said the sole was thicker. At MCO, they didn't say anything and she went through the detector with them on with no problem.

 

[safetymom]

DebbieB, do they still have the machine you can put your shoes on and see if it sets off the detector? I used to check any new type of shoe when I fly from PIT. I wear Reebok Princess shoes all the time and certain airports insist I take them off where other airports are just fine.

 

[DrmWvr1299]

I live in Dayton and our airport has the device that you just put your shoes (foot and shoe) into it. I have read so many posts today about airports having people take off their shoes because they had big soles, etc. I never thought our smaller airport was that advanced in air travel. I also have metal implants in my foot and neck. I called my surgeon and they gave me a card to carry with me showing that I have metal implants. I always have it out and ready with my ID, but so far I have never beeped

 

[safetymom]

When I lived in Pittsburgh they had an article about the man that invented that machine. He lived in Pittsburgh.

 

[DebbieB]

DebbieB, do they still have the machine you can put your shoes on and see if it sets off the detector? I used to check any new type of shoe when I fly from PIT. I wear Reebok Princess shoes all the time and certain airports insist I take them off where other airports are just fine.

I know they used to but I didn't notice them lately. I've been lucky that there has been no lines recently, so I didn't get a good look.

One thing I did notice at PIT on Friday night when we returned. When I fly with my mom, she wants at the curb outside baggage claim with the luggage while I get the car from the lot. Usually there is a big line of cars at the USAir end and not many at the other airlines end. It is now the opposite, the other airline end was jammed, USAir was pretty empty (we flew Air Tran). It's kind of sad the way USAir has downsized at PIT.

 

[lsteadman]

If YOU cannot lift it into the overhead, it is not carryon. The airlines and your fellow passengers are NOT required to help you and don't want to. I am amazed when I see frial senior citizens lugging huge suitcases onto the plane. This is not a time to depend on the kindness of strangers. (We are tried of throwing our back out by lifting your lead weights!)

AMEN! AMEN! HALLELUJAH!!!

Now that is the butt naked truth!!!!!

 

[bavaria]

I actually talked to my very active 79yo and 89yo grandparents, who travel a lot, before posting this. My grandmother told me that she gets very frustrated with people who preboard because they need help due to age, infirmity, etc, and then at the end of the flight, they pop up out of their seats and make everyone wait while they go slowly down the aisle.

So, if you preboard for those reasons, please follow the airline's request and wait for the other passengers to leave before you disembark - that way the aisle will be clear, and airline personnel can assist you.

That isn't meant to offend anyone - it's for safety reasons. Thanks!

 

[bavaria]

DebbieB, do they still have the machine you can put your shoes on and see if it sets off the detector? I used to check any new type of shoe when I fly from PIT. I wear Reebok Princess shoes all the time and certain airports insist I take them off where other airports are just fine.

If you have a local Rockports store, they may have a machine to test your shoes - they do in a Chicago area location.

 

[bavaria]

** DISCLAIMER ** I cannot confirm if this applies in the US - perhaps someone could confirm for us

Another reminder from Oma:

If you have to change planes, consider the distance between gates and terminals at the airport. Toronto, Frankfurt, London, and Amsterdam all come to mind - the distance is a long hike and often luggage must be retrieved and cleared through customs before boarding the next flight.

If you require and request gate assistance ie a cart to take you to your gate, your partner/spouse/travelling companion may not be accommodated. The first time my grandparents used this in Frankfurt, the Lufthansa rep told my grandmother that since the request was for my grandfather only, she would have to walk alongside. As you may know, those requiring transportation to their gate are often picked up well after the plane has disembarked, so my grandmother was told to RUN alongside the cart or she would miss the flight. The driver finally took pity on her and let her ride, but another man had to run the entire way, with his wife calling out 'Schnell, Heinrich, schnell!'

We witnessed this again recently when my father and I went to drop my grandparents off at the airport. This time they both requested assistance. The cart was 1/2 full, but a large family didn't realize that their grandma had a seat, and everyone else had to run behind. They had several small children, who couldn't keep up. Grandma didn't speak the language, but collectively we convinced the driver to at least let the smallest child ride while the rest of the family ran behind.

A better option might be for the rest of the party to go on ahead to the gate, while Grandma gets the ride. Of course, if Grandma needs assistance, you may need to leave one person behind to jog next to the cart.

This has occured at a number of international airports my family has used over the years. Be forewarned!

 

[Pixie]

I have recently been prescribed medication that I must inject myself. I am assuming I am going to have this questioned at the airports this summer when I travel again. How do people go about getting the medication with needles into other countries, like diabetics, etc? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[CarolA]

Medication is normally not a problem. Have it in the orginal container with the perscribing info on it. That would also explain the needles.

Some folks do bring MD statements as an extra percaution.

 

[Bert]

In 2002, MCO had search dogs and one sat by my luggage. He found my dried fruit. The agent said that it was okay. Does anyone know what is NOT allowed? Can I have vegetables and other salad stuff? Thanks.