Navigating the airport and security - tips

[Ariel Wanna-be]

Also, no light-up shoes on travel day.

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.

Thanks!

 

[the kabuki]

What's with the light up shoes? DD had her's on last trip, took them off and put them in the bin, no problem.

And where's the family line at MCO? I've never seen that, what a good idea. I always try to be prepared before getting in security lines, but with 3 kids , myself and DH to get through, I know we take a little more time than the single business traveler.

 

[AllyBri]

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.

Thanks!

Your child can wear light up shoes, just slip them off.

 

[AllyBri]

So many people hold up the lines at the airport with their questions.
Why do I have to take my shoes off?
Why do I have to take my jacket off?
Why do I have to empty my pockets?
Please just do it so everyone can move along.
And what is with the people that think they can just take any seat on the plane and forget about their seat assignment.

I would love to give a class on flying, free of charge.

 

[bavaria]

The family line at MCO was still there 2 weeks ago - the person checking ID/boarding passes directs families to that line.... it gives them extra time to unload strollers, etc.

 

[the kabuki]

So many people hold up the lines at the airport with their questions.
Why do I have to take my shoes off?
Why do I have to take my jacket off?
Why do I have to empty my pockets?
Please just do it so everyone can move along.
And what is with the people that think they can just take any seat on the plane and forget about their seat assignment.

I would love to give a class on flying, free of charge.

No questions here, I'm not taking the chance of an extra security check!

 

[schwenksvillemouse]

Thanks for the great info

 

[goofytime2000]

No questions here, I'm not taking the chance of an extra security check!

I have always had a policy: Never argue with anyone who has their own infantry support

 

[the kabuki]

I have always had a policy: Never argue with anyone who has their own infantry support

 

[AllyBri]

I have always had a policy: Never argue with anyone who has their own infantry support

I notice it every time, the people that give them a difficult time always go through the "extra security routine"

 

[bavaria]

And really, most of the TSA agents I encounter on 100's of trips are very pleasant and friendly. I don't think that I've ever personally had one of them be 'difficult' or unpleasant, so yes, your behaviour probably does have an impact - they're doing their job, after all!

 

[TigerLilyBlossom]

We don't fly alot, so I was surprised when we were leaving MCO recently (April) when another passenger on our Delta flight FORBID my husband to use the overhead compartment for his small carryon--the guy had a minor fit saying *his* laptop was up there, so NOTHING else could be since it's valuable. A flight attendant was nearby and dh asked if he was allowed to use the bin, and she said he'd be better off putting it under the seat or using another overhead compartment--which he did, several seats back.

I am curious--can a passenger commandeer an overhead bin for sole use, or was the attendant just trying to appease all and not get the guy going? It wasn't a huge deal (and no, dh's bag wasn't grubby, lol, it was small, clean, and would have well fit in the bin without bothering the guy's bag--he had a clean shirt and the small digital camera in the bag)

Just thought I'd ask when I saw this thread, because it seemed a bit odd to me.

 

[LisaS]

Great post, bavaria! I wanted to add that if you check in at a kiosk, be sure to double check that the baggage tag that is placed on your bag has YOUR name and YOUR flight info on it. We flew Delta out of MCO last year and they had one Delta employee servicing about 5-10 kiosks. His job was to place baggage tags on people's bags. He came by with a handful of bag tags, addressed us by name and then pulled out two tags from the handful and placed them on our bags. Only problem was, they were someone elses tags! Someone at Delta told me this happens a lot to people checking in at the kiosks. So, if you do self check in and you have baggage, double check that the tag the airline employee places on your bag has your name and flight info on it!

 

[CarolA]

We don't fly alot, so I was surprised when we were leaving MCO recently (April) when another passenger on our Delta flight FORBID my husband to use the overhead compartment for his small carryon--the guy had a minor fit saying *his* laptop was up there, so NOTHING else could be since it's valuable. A flight attendant was nearby and dh asked if he was allowed to use the bin, and she said he'd be better off putting it under the seat or using another overhead compartment--which he did, several seats back.

I am curious--can a passenger commandeer an overhead bin for sole use, or was the attendant just trying to appease all and not get the guy going? It wasn't a huge deal (and no, dh's bag wasn't grubby, lol, it was small, clean, and would have well fit in the bin without bothering the guy's bag--he had a clean shirt and the small digital camera in the bag)

Just thought I'd ask when I saw this thread, because it seemed a bit odd to me.

NO! A passenger cannot commandeer and overhead. The FA was just trying to make things easy on themselves. You and DH are nicer then I am.. I would have put it up there anyway LOL! I travel a lot and travel brings out the ***hole in some folks. You got to meet one of them.

 

[Talking Hands]

What do you do when you are not allowed to walk shoeless due to medical issues.
Also I have metal in my leg holding it together so will that set off the detector? They can look at the scars if they want.

 

[bavaria]

Some people say that they bring doctor's notes - my grandfather is the same (he needs special shoes and has metal in his leg). He flies Germany - Canada - Hawaii every year and says that he never has a problem (although they do pay special attention to his cane, he says!)

 

[bavaria]

I am curious--can a passenger commandeer an overhead bin for sole use, or was the attendant just trying to appease all and not get the guy going? It wasn't a huge deal (and no, dh's bag wasn't grubby, lol, it was small, clean, and would have well fit in the bin without bothering the guy's bag--he had a clean shirt and the small digital camera in the bag)

No, this was someone who just hadn't learned the concept of SHARING.

I once had someone yell at me for over a minute because I opened the bin and 'touched' his coat while trying to put my laptop away. The flight attendants looked away, they too probably didn't want to aggravate the situation.

Just remembered something else:

Nailpolish is flammable, please do not apply nail polish during the flight!!! (Yes, believe it or not, I've sat next to people who do this) Not only is the smell unpleasant to your fellow passengers, it is a hazardous substance on an aircraft. And if you do that next to me, yes, I will tattle to the flight attendant. Sorry!

 

[the kabuki]

How much metal do you have?(sounds like something from a bad movie LOL)
I have pins in my feet and they've never set off a detector.
Truth be told, I forgot about them until you mentioned this. I never had any doctors' note.

 

[CarolA]

If you can't walk without your shoes and have pins give yourself some extra time. They may ask you to sit down and take your shoes off for examination. They may also want to hand wand and do a pat down where you set off the detector.

 

[Jcricket Fan]

Here is some info. from the TSA website on special needs at security check points. My mom had polio and sometimes needs to wear special shoes that once she gets in them she doesn't take off again until its time to lay down!

From the TSA:
Travelers & Consumers Printable Version
Persons with Disabilities & Medical Conditions

Orthopedic Shoes, Support Appliances, and Other Exterior Medical Devices

Advise the screener if you are wearing orthopedic shoes, support appliances, or other exterior medical devices and where the devices are located.
If you are wearing an exterior medical device and are uncomfortable with going through the metal detector or be handwanded, you may request a pat-down inspection and visual inspection of your device instead.
You should be offered a private screening if clothing is required to be lifted to complete the inspection process.
Screeners should not be asking you to remove your orthopedic shoes, appliances, or medical device at any time during the screening process.
If you have a non-invasive bone growth stimulator or other device that operates under a specific magnetic calibration, which cannot be x-rayed because the calibration of these units cannot be disrupted, you may request a physical inspection of your device in lieu of being x-rayed.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) and other exterior disability and medical related devices are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened.