Walk me thru Airport Security Please!

[chellt]

I don't want us to be one of those annoying families holding up the line because we don't know what we are doing!
So please, impart your wisdom on me, frequent flyers....

I can have as many liquids as I can fit in my 1 quart ziplock as long as they are under 3oz, correct?

Contact lens liquids can be over 3 oz but need to be in a separate zip lock, correct?

Can I take wet wipes in my carryon and NOT put them in my ziplock (won't fit)?

What all do you have to take out of your carryon/personal item and put in the tray?
Anything else?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I don't want us to be one of those annoying families holding up the line because we don't know what we are doing!
So please, impart your wisdom on me, frequent flyers....

I can have as many liquids as I can fit in my 1 quart ziplock as long as they are under 3oz, correct?[/COLOR]- Yes

Contact lens liquids can be over 3 oz but need to be in a separate zip lock, correct? Not sure

Can I take wet wipes in my carryon and NOT put them in my ziplock (won't fit)?- wipes dont have to go in the ziplock
What all do you have to take out of your carryon/personal item and put in the tray? - Computer and your ziplock with liquids.
Anything else?[/COLOR]

Take off your shoes and if you have a baby the babies shoes have to come off too.

If your airport has the body scanner EVERYTHING has to come out of your pockets including wallets. Belts have to come off.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

All of the info you need is on the TSA website:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm

http://mfile.akamai.com/25703/wmv/tsagov.download.akamai.com/25703/htdocs/assets/wmv/vid1_3steps.asx

 

[bapawoo]

you will have to take off anything metal: belts, jewelry, hair clips.... Traveling in comfy clothes with no accessories is the best bet. Everything moves pretty swiftly and signs are posted everywhere explaining what to do. Enjoy!!!

 

[maxiesmom]

Don't forget to finish your coffee before going thru screening. It amazes me how many people look put out becasue they have to throw out their coffee.

At my home airport this one really stinks because we have a Starbucks before the checkpoint, but not one after.

Another tip is to send one adult thru, then the kids, then the other adult. That way you have a grown up on each side to help wrangle the little ones.

 

[goofy4tink]

You can put as much in your qt baggie as will comfortably fit. My dd puts her contact lens solution (the big bottle) in her checked luggage, so that's not a concern for us.
Now...we always wear slip on/off shoes. Much easier than tie shoes. Take off any jackets or sweatshirts you are wearing. They have to go through the xray. Have your qt baggie at the top of your carryon bag, ready to pop out. Then, that goes in a tray, your carryon bag goes on it's own. Shoes go in their own bin, with belts, wallets, etc. I usually put my qt baggie in the tray/bin with my shoes.
Keep your boarding pass with you...sometimes you need it, sometimes you don't. Go through the scanner. Out of the scanner and get your stuff. Slip on your shoes, plop on your sweatshirt, grab your bags, walk away and put the stuff back where it belongs. Don't stand at the end of the conveyer belt and try to get all adjusted and everything back in your bags...that is really annoying.

 

[crashbb]

Actually the bottles can each be 3.4oz (not 3.0z). The rule is actually 100mL (which is equal to 3.4oz). It is just that 3-1-1 sounds better than 3.4-1-1.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Do you have any metal implants or an aversion to unnecessary x-rays? If so, expect a whole body search.

Beyond that expect the unexpected as TSA views random unpredictabiliy as a security measure.

 

[peemagg]

We make sure that our carry on bags have room for our jackets and our shoes and we take care of them all before we get into the line. We also grab out our baggies and have them close at hand. When we get to the line it is just a matter of putting our things on the belt and we place our baggies on top of the bags (outside). It seems to work well for us.

Also if you are bringing a laptop it has to come out of the bag and into its own tray.

 

[Goofygirl17]

chellt- I love your signature quote!!

 

[Coll0610]

I also put things like my watch or cell phone that I have to take off in my carry on. It's easy to leave something small like that in the bin, but you probably won't forget your carryon. I have a small pocket on the outside of my carryon that I leave empty just for that stuff.

 

[Greysword]

If you have any questions or any concerns, there are usually TSA people near the security line. You can pull them aside and ask them to help you understand the process and what can and can not go through. Most are actually nice and willing to be helpful.

Also, don't be pressured to hurry once you are in line. Take your time. If other passengers get antsy, there will be at least one other line they can go through. Usually, bigger airports have a line dedicated for families, which moves a little slower due to the extra items to check and kids to corral.

As a guy when I go through with a jacket or coat, I put all of my pocket items, belt, and cell phone in the pockets then lay the jacket in a gray tray with my shoes. When I get through the checkpoint, I simply don my jacket and reverse the process. It is fast and easy. If I don't have a jacket, I'll put my items in the small pocket of the backpack I use for carry-on.

I also usually pull to the side just before the security line and "de-metalize" and untie my shoes. That way once I get to the detectors, I am ready to go.

Good luck and have fun with the TSA!

- Chris

 

[uncle duck]

put your wallet and other small valubles that you normally have in your pockets or on you in your carry on. too many things get left behind or stolen.

 

[chellt]

chellt- I love your signature quote!!

Thanks goofygirl... It's one of my favs... I teach some pretty awesome kiddos!

 

[chellt]

Do you have any metal implants or an aversion to unnecessary x-rays? If so, expect a whole body search.

Beyond that expect the unexpected as TSA views random unpredictabiliy as a security measure.

I do! I have a brain drain. But I do have a medical ID card my neurosurgeon gave me(will need to find it)...Not sure if that will help....Surely they won't give me too much grief about - not like I can pop it out and put it in a 1 qt bag!

 

[NotUrsula]

What all do you have to take out of your carryon/personal item and put in the tray?

Other than your 3-1-1 baggie, your liquid medications baggie, and a laptop if you are carrying one, nothing. Those are the only things that they have to be able to eyeball.

What I always do when travelling with family is to seed the outer pocket of each carryon bag or backpack with a ziploc baggie. While in the security line I remind everyone to empty all their "pocket stuff" into the baggie and put it into their carryon: cell phones, ipods, change, candy, wristwatch, keys, etc. (It used to be that you could leave paper items and non-metal things like a roll of Life Savers or a chapstick in your pocket, but if you get chosen for a backscatter scan those can't stay in there, so you may as well take them out up front.)

 

[NHdisneylover]

I agree with a PP that planning ahead is key.

Where clothes with no metal (avoid underwire bras if you can too--though they often make it through just fine).
Wear shoes which you can slide on and off easily.
Pack the liquids bag and laptop where they can be easily accessed.
Don't keep anything in your pockets.

As you are walking through the lines, slide of your shoes and jacket (if there is room in your bag shove the jacket in) and take off a hat if you are wearing one. Get those items going in a bin and quickly pull out laptop and liquids and get them going through ( if you can juggle it all that is better and just have it all out when you get to the belt.

Once through security, grab everything and head past the screening area to then put yourself and your belongings back together.

If travelling with kids, make sure they know to pick up their own bags and shoes after being screened and show them where to go to put on their shoes and wait for you (point out a visible bench, or planter, etc). Also explain to them that they or you may be pulled for extra screening and not to worry if it happens.

 

[eliza61]

I don't want us to be one of those annoying families holding up the line because we don't know what we are doing!
So please, impart your wisdom on me, frequent flyers....

I can have as many liquids as I can fit in my 1 quart ziplock as long as they are under 3oz, correct?

Contact lens liquids can be over 3 oz but need to be in a separate zip lock, correct?

Can I take wet wipes in my carryon and NOT put them in my ziplock (won't fit)?

What all do you have to take out of your carryon/personal item and put in the tray?
Anything else?

Pretty much I have a small travel size bottle of contact solution in my ziplock.

I leave all extra keys that I don't need at home.

Generally I just put my shoes and purse in one bin, then my laptop.

I agree with greysword, don't feel pressured to rush.

Also don't be afraid to ask questions from the TSA. They are not the evil, boogie man. I've always found them to be courteous and professional.

 

[Goofygirl17]

Thanks goofygirl... It's one of my favs... I teach some pretty awesome kiddos!

I do too! I stole it and posted it on my fb