New Travel Rules???

[Madi100]

A friend of mine just returned from Florida. She flew out of Chicago and into MCO. She said that now you have to check-in at your airline and then take your baggage with you to another check-in and they put it through some big x-ray type machine. Anyone know anything about this? She said it was for all airlines going both ways. She also said that people there were telling her to take her film out of her luggage because it would be ruined. Her return flight came back at 5:30, and it took 1 1/2 hours to go through airport security. She said they had to take their shoes off?? Is this the norm now?

 

[Eeyore1954]

It depends on the airport & airline. For example: flying United from Detroit: check-in then take luggage to x-ray machine. Flying United from O'Hare: at check-in security scans luggage, then you check-in and go. There is no hard & fast rule that applies to every airport/airline, but you can be assured your luggage will be checked.

As for the shoes, I've had to take them off in San Antonio, but not in Philadelphia or Chicago. Took them off in Phoenix, but not in Orlando. Again, this seems to vary. In San Antonio, security was having everyone take off their shoes. In Phoenix, it was just certain kinds.

At United security in Chicago O'Hare, they have a scanner like a shoe-shine box that you can step on. If it buzzes or lights up, off come the shoes. But I wear sneakers mostly and have never been asked to take them off at O'Hare.

The best thing to do is call the airport and ask.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You can eliminate the extra step of taking your luggage to the scanners if you use (and tip) the skycap. they can issue boarding passes also. Saves time.

As to film in checked luggage, yes, the scanner will destroy your film, exposed or not.

I don't take my shoes off. If they set off the alarm, which they never have, then I would take them off.

The time it takes to get through security depends on what day you travel. Saturdays are the pits. I will never fly on a Sat. again.

 

[Lewisc]

Gail--if there is an alert status (I think orange or higher) the skycap will escort you and your luggage inside and you have to wait with your luggage while it is being scanned.

The last few times I flew the skycap line was so long I wound up waiting inside. You don't really save time when the skycap has to escort each person inside.

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
You can eliminate the extra step of taking your luggage to the scanners if you use (and tip) the skycap. they can issue boarding passes also. Saves time.

 

[CarolA]

Just an FYI - If your shoes set off the alarm you don't get to take them off and try again. You get to be wanded. If we go to Orange some airports just about FORCE you to take your shoes off. (They will stand there in front of the little gate and fuss at you and if you don't they can send you for wanding.)

I know people like Gail who travel a lot are aware of this, but I have noticed that some infrequent travelers still expect it to be like it was before 9-11 where when you beeped you went back and tried again.

 

[Madi100]

Thanks for all of the replies. I have traveled since 9/11. It wasn't this bad last time. I didn't realize it had changed.

 

[NotUrsula]

Here it is, if you want it from the horse's mouth:

http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=582

I just get into the security line and take my shoes off, then stuff them in my carryon, along w/ my jewelry and the contents of my pockets. It all goes through the x-ray scanner and I never beep on the arch detector. On occasions where I have been random-flagged for a wand search, my bra has beeped the hand-wand occasionally.

One thing your friend may not have warned you about is the need to have your photo ID handy at all times. You can be asked for it several times between the door of the airport and the departure gate, so it is best to have it where you can reach it one-handed. (Buried in your wallet, or deep inside your purse or carryon is not a good place.)

 

[Cora]

Regarding the shoe check all I can say is thank god for clogs!

 

[Cora]

Regarding the shoe check all I can say is thank god for clogs!

 

[Talking Hands]

And what do they do with people who medically should not be in their stocking feet? Force them to go against their doctors orders? I am never barefoot or stocking footed unless I am in the tub or the bed on the orders of my doctor as injury to the feet could lead to gangrene and amputation. Will I be harrassed because of this?

 

[Cora]

I would imagine if you had a note from the doctor they will take you out of line and do a hand wand.

 

[kylara]

While they say you do not have to take your shoes off, that not taking them off will/might subject you to further screening, I have seen the TSA agents tell people they HAVE to take them off or they can't get through at MCO. I don't mind, I take them off automatically since I use the no tie shoelaces on my sneaks and they seem to have metal in them..beep, beep, beep...it is just easier to let them be x-rayed.

 

[kilee]

If you are going to have a specific medical reason why you really are highly advised not to take off your shoes (such as infected diabetic ulcers) then I would definetly get a note from the doctor and also try to wear shoes that aren't going to set off the detectors. Unfortunately for everyone's safety we all have to be compliant. I suppose they could let you sit in a chair and wand your feet w/o your shoes, so your feet don't touch the ground w/o shoes.

 

[dcfromva]

Originally posted by Talking Hands
And what do they do with people who medically should not be in their stocking feet? Force them to go against their doctors orders? I am never barefoot or stocking footed unless I am in the tub or the bed on the orders of my doctor as injury to the feet could lead to gangrene and amputation. Will I be harrassed because of this?

Talking Hands ,
Try not to worry about it because you can get through without having your feet on the filthy floor. If they request for you to take your shoes off, be sure to explain your special circumstances so that you can be accomodated

We took flights in May, June, July and Oct and for a while at most of the airports we were going through TSA was requesting that everyone take their shoes off before going through the scanner. Those who did not wish to take off their shoes in advance were put into another line (after going through the scanner--even if it did not alarm) and then asked to take their shoes off (and then TSA put the shoes through the XRAY). But, they allowed a person to sit in a chair to remove their shoes.

The last flight we took (last weekend), we didn't have to take our shoes off and no additional screening was required (well, except for me, I was the lucky winner of a random check ).

-DC

 

[seashoreCM]

Just a question...

Is this diabetes condition one where you can never be barefoot even for a minute, or just don't go barefoot all afternoon long?

Could you borrow one of the airport wheelchairs so you don't have to be on your feet?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm