Navigating the airport and security - tips

[bavaria]

As I posted on another thread, NO you cannot bring fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese etc from another country. There are strict laws and you could risk a fine or having a record for agricultural violations.

Any such items can be purchased once you land in the USA.

My grandparents who fly from/to Germany a lot often see people getting caught for bring cheese and meat. The search dogs do find these items.

Again, if you are flying internationally, it's not worth the risk. They sell a wide variety of food in the US.

 

[Bert]

Sorry. I should have mentioned that I flew in from Michigan. This was a domesticflight. I have called the airport and the FL agriculture office and both have said that I should be okay. I don't know what the problem was in 2002.

Thanks.

 

[bavaria]

Please save yourselves some trouble and read the signs.

Two days ago I was flying out of Washington Dulles, which was very busy due to bad weather on the East Coast. Since I had done a same-day standby from a connecting flight to a non stop, I had to go to 'extra baggage screening'. (That is the norm when you change routing day of flight)

At Dulles, there are three areas on the back side of the electronic check in terminals: Human Check In (ie for those who can't use the electronic check in due to international flights, paper tickets, etc); Ticket Purchase; and Baggage Screening.

The Baggage Screening line is usually pretty short, but that day it was very long. It soon became apparent to me that there were several people in line who should be at 'ticket purchase.' In fact, a fight broke out between a customer in 'ticket purchase' and someone in 'baggage screening' who was really waiting for 'ticket purchase', and tried to cut in line.

I sent several people over to the correct lines - there were even people waiting to check in in the baggage screening line. (I have often joked with United staff that should give me a nametag since I spend a lot of time redirecting people and expediting lines in DC and Chicago!)

When I checked my luggage and left, there were 3 police officers escorting another woman away - she too had been in the wrong line, and caused such a scene that the staff called airport police!!!

Also on Friday I was in the Premier electronic check in line, which was very short compared to the regular line. Several people were turned away after waiting, since they did not hold Premier status. They then had to go and wait (again) in the regular line.

While on the shuttle to the gate, there was a woman who had boarded without reading where the shuttle was going - we were all going to C gates and she was going somewhere else. By the time she took the shuttle back to the main terminal and boarded the correct shuttle, she may have missed her flight.

Today I found myself in 'ticket purchase' to deal with a ticket change, and ahead of me were several people just trying to check in.

So, moral of the story - please read the signs and ensure that you are in the correct line to save yourself some time and frustration. These areas are usually very well marked. If you are not sure, ask someone to assist.

 

[dcgrumpy]

Just returned from Orlando. At JFK they made everyone take off their shoes, I didn't notice anyone having to take them off at MCO.

ETA
I've never seen a "family line" at MCO. I would have appreciated it 2 days ago, travelling with 3 kids 4 and under.


Jetblue was allowing preboarding of families with a child under2 or anyone with a stroller

I'm almost 100% positive that SWA allowed preboarding back in October

 

[bavaria]

That family line is always there when I am in MCO 6x or more a year - at least for the gates on the United side - I think that Jetblue and SW use the other side of the terminal, so can't comment on whether they use them. The person checking boarding passes usually directs families to that line.

Preboarding does vary by airline and capacity, but several at MCO exclude families from the preboarding, saying that since there are so many families using MCO it doesn't make sense.

The shoe thing is SUCH a variable! I was flying out of Seattle the other days, wearing mules with buckles, and didn't feel like taking off my shoes. No problem, never got asked to take them off (I remembered that I rarely have to in Seattle)

In Dulles, different story - don't even think of leaving those shoes on, and they are very firm that it's not the buckles and/or shanks that concern them.

 

[wvjules]

Flew out of Pittsburgh last month and had to remove my shoes to go through security. Laptop stayed in laptop case though, no extra measures for that.

Yesterday, flew out of Nashville and then Charlotte, and left my shoes on with no problems. Had to take laptop out of bag and send it through seperately.

BTW, at BNA yesterday morning, there were hardly any lines anywhere. Getting through the self check-in line was the longest line and it was only 10 minutes. No security lines though.

One of my checked bags was pulled for a search (if they dind't leave a note I never would have known). I think myabe it was because my blowdryer might have looked like a gun. lol

 

[bavaria]

* bumping this up for the start of the summer travel season! *

Happy travels everyone!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

This is a great thread- thanks to the OP!

I also have never seen, nor been directed to, a family line at MCO. I have always travelled with 3 kids- one in stroller. Guess we aren't considered family? LOL

- plan to remove your shoes. Consider NOT wearing lace ups or boots. I usually wear mules when I fly. I did see something neat the other day - a shoe store in Chicago had a machine to test your shoes to see if the shanks would set off the airport scanner (I think that it was a Rockports store)

Doesn't matter, IME, whether your shoes will set it off or not- everytime I have flown anywhere they make you all take your shoes off regardless of what type. I even had flipflops on one time... foam and plastic- made me take them off. LOL

 

[bavaria]

This is a great thread- thanks to the OP!

I also have never seen, nor been directed to, a family line at MCO. I have always travelled with 3 kids- one in stroller. Guess we aren't considered family? LOL

Maybe you just don't look harried enough! I was going to check for that line next week on my way to MCO. but I may just be flying in and not flying out of MCO, unless my plans change. It was definitely still there in April, but again, I see it on the United side, (B, I believe) and can't speak for the other side (A, I believe) since I only fly United......

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Maybe you just don't look harried enough! I was going to check for that line next week on my way to MCO. but I may just be flying in and not flying out of MCO, unless my plans change. It was definitely still there in April, but again, I see it on the United side, (B, I believe) and can't speak for the other side (A, I believe) since I only fly United......

I don't?
LOL Believe me... I looked harried enough- especially after a Disney trip. I'm not even smiling either- I'm LEAVING Disney.. no smiles then. LOL

Is this a check in line you are talking about? I usually use the curbside check in for my baggages and don't go to a check in line. I thought this was about a family line for security check... and I've done the huge long lines there, with kids, with stroller... someone doesn't think we're a family? LOL

 

[safetymom]

Yes there is a family security line. It's the first one closest to the glass at the B side. Not sure about A.

 

[bavaria]

As Safetymom said, it's a special line at security, giving families extra time to unpack the stroller, etc while going through the scanners. The TSA staff usually direct families to that line. I don't know if they have extra staffing there, but it seems to work and keeps the other lines moving for those without small children.

 

[bavaria]

I am currently sitting in an airport in Canada, and using my pre-clearance pass for frequent travellers it took me 22 minutes from arrival at the airport to the gate area! (Flying international, on a busy summer Saturday morning....) That included a secondary inspection at Customs to review my visa.

Good news: this airport has also added a 'family' line during peak season

Bad news: it's the line that we pre-cleared customers use but at least I got to see how tough it can be for families.


Remember, you WILL need to take your child out of the stroller, and send the stroller through the scanner. (You'll carry your baby through)


For the person who asked about overalls, I just witnessed a father carrying his baby through security, and then being wanded and rescanned because baby had snaps on her overalls. So yes, they do slow you down - in this case it took an extra few minutes.

 

[Philadisney]

Now, if airlines could just come to an agreement on knitting needles.... my 2.5 mm x 30 cm circular needles (ie one piece of metal coasted plastic, not two straight needles) can't do any more damage than a pen or pencil; United cheerfully welcomes my knitting, but Air Canada still has a 'no knitting needles' picture on the sign at check in! (Air Ontario even banned knitting pre 9/11 - I was told by flight attendants that I was a hazard to my fellow passengers)

Anyone know about taking wooden knitting needles on NWA? I'm spending about 8 hours on airplanes this weekend and would love to be able to spend that time knitting, but don't want to risk the needles getting confiscated. they are duller than a pencil, but I want to be sure...

 

[bavaria]

Anyone know about taking wooden knitting needles on NWA? I'm spending about 8 hours on airplanes this weekend and would love to be able to spend that time knitting, but don't want to risk the needles getting confiscated. they are duller than a pencil, but I want to be sure...

Apparently flying within the US, it's usually not a problem. I wouldn't even mention them.....

(I'm the OP, and also a compulsive knitter, but bemoan the loss of valuable knitting time on flights since I fly internationally)

 

[debster812]

Apparently flying within the US, it's usually not a problem. I wouldn't even mention them.....

(I'm the OP, and also a compulsive knitter, but bemoan the loss of valuable knitting time on flights since I fly internationally)

Oh--I am so sorry for you. I am a newbie knitter (past 9 months or so) but I am totally addicted. You can't bring any needles with you? Not even some small bamboo or plastic circs? Ugh--huge bummer.

 

[bavaria]

Another hint: if you see 'SSSS' on your boarding pass, you have been selected for extra screening. I often buy my work tickets the day before or day of flight, one way tickets, so am often marked SSSS.

Twice in the last week, however, TSA did not take me aside initially for extra screening. I was at the gate in FLL when the gate agent sent me all the way back to security to be screened. In Alabama last week again TSA did not stop me, so I asked them if they needed to extra screen me - sure enough, they did.

So if you see SSSS and DON'T get extra screening, you will most likely be told to go back for the screening before you can board your flight. Just a heads up, as the gate can be a distance from the gate, and it may be tight timing.

TSA was surprised to hear however that this happenend to me twice in one week. Rest assured, you will not be able to board if you were marked SSSS and DIDN'T get the extra screening. (hope that makes sense)

 

[bavaria]

Oh--I am so sorry for you. I am a newbie knitter (past 9 months or so) but I am totally addicted. You can't bring any needles with you? Not even some small bamboo or plastic circs? Ugh--huge bummer.

As of May 5, 2005, CATSA (Canadian version of TSA) DOES allow knitting on the flight.

Unfortunately recent experience reveals that both Air Canada and Lufthansa are not aware of the change, and their staff may still deny your knitting on board.......

 

[Julia M]

Another hint: if you see 'SSSS' on your boarding pass, you have been selected for extra screening. I often buy my work tickets the day before or day of flight, one way tickets, so am often marked SSSS.

Twice in the last week, however, TSA did not take me aside initially for extra screening. I was at the gate in FLL when the gate agent sent me all the way back to security to be screened. In Alabama last week again TSA did not stop me, so I asked them if they needed to extra screen me - sure enough, they did.

So if you see SSSS and DON'T get extra screening, you will most likely be told to go back for the screening before you can board your flight. Just a heads up, as the gate can be a distance from the gate, and it may be tight timing.

TSA was surprised to hear however that this happenend to me twice in one week. Rest assured, you will not be able to board if you were marked SSSS and DIDN'T get the extra screening. (hope that makes sense)

Our entire family was flagged last summer. We were delayed by the hurricane and dh got us one way tickets out of Miami. I anticipated the extra sceeening, but did not anticipate this.......the special agents that mann this path were not there. Everyone was stuck in line. The regular security agents were unable to help us. The line kept growing and growing. Everyone, including myself, was getting agitated......I was very stressed we'd miss our plane and we were ready to GO HOME. The agents finally came (after about 45 minutes) and we raced to our gate.

Julia

 

[debster812]

Another hint: if you see 'SSSS' on your boarding pass, you have been selected for extra screening. I often buy my work tickets the day before or day of flight, one way tickets, so am often marked SSSS.

We learned what SSSS means last February when my then 7 year old got dinged on BOTH legs of our trip. Although, I cannot say enough about the TSA agents at BOS and RSW. It could have been sheer coincidence, or his name might be similar to someone being watched. Who knows? We'll see what happens this February, as we are again on 2 one ways, and are complicating things even more by flying Song TO Florida, and JetBlue HOME from FL.