Need info on going through airport security?

Show all answers

<<Just-Me>>

I would strongly suggest that you pack as little as possible to take on board with you. You simply do not need much stuff in flight, so no reason to pack it. Put all unnecessary stuff into your checked-in baggage. But be aware of the restrictions of what you can carry in checked in bags as well. They are screened more carefully than people think they are. This is done behind the scenes, and if the people scanning your bags seem it necessary, they WILL open your suitcase and inspect it.
As for bring carry on bags, just keep it simple. DOn't bring any knives, mace, lighter fluid, that sort of stuff. But that shopuld be common sense. Also, beverages are not allowed, such as bottled water. If you have any, it will be taken from you prior to passing through the security check.
Check the TSA web site for more information. Observe the rules pertaining to brining on things such as shampoo, and other liquids in containers. If I remember correctly, its 3-1-1. In other words, containers must be (3) ounces or less, they must be placed into (1) clear, quart sized, zip lock bag, and only (1) quart size bag per person, hence the 3-1-1 rule. But you can stuff that bag full if you want to. Remove your shoes and place into the basket, take off your coat if you are wearing one and place that into the basket too. Remove all metal objects from your pockets and put into basket. If you are carrying a laptop computer, remove it from its case, and place into a seperate basket. Same thing goes for video cameras which use videotape for recording. They must be removed from your bag, and also from their case. There are other restrictions too, but not many more. Remember, there are usually LOTS of people behind you, so try to be quick and efficient so you don't hold up the line. You may or may not be wanded. Usually, no. Sometimes, yes. The last time I flew, I got directed to a special screening area with several others already in line. Why? I have no idea. I wish I knew though. And that is where they will inspect you and your bags 100% thoroughly and completely. And they do wand you in that line. In fact, my ticket was physically given to the TSA agent in that area by the guy who checks your ID in the very beginning of the line. I had no choice but to go through that line. It was a pain, but I made it as did everyone else in front of me. It just takes a lot more time to pass through.If you do get pulled aside, be courteous to the TSA people . Remember, these are not college graduates with some special clearance and authority. But hey make it seem as though they are something special. Most are just regular people, and a little niceness can go a long way with them. Smile, and be nice to them. Do NOT get offensive, ever. They can make your life miserable for a while. Do NOT make jokes, or wisecracks to them about bombs, or hijacking or whatever because people have been arrested for that sort of thing, believe or or not. Be courteous nad do as asked. You will be fine. Do not give them any reason to detain you for any reason. I've had it happen, and it wasn't fun at all. I missed my connecting flight, and it was a big mess. But, I cooperated, and was treated very fairly during the process.
Good luck!

hunterz

Before i start, there are 3 areas in the airport. First, the check in counter, next the departure hall, lastly, the boarding area. Basically, you need to go to the check-in counter to check in your lagguage and collect your air ticket if you have not done so. Try to be there 2hr 30mins before your flight to ensure that things go smooth (just in case you need to repack your lauggage). If you can't find your check-in counter, ask the information desk, you should be able to find them easily and ask them the location of the counter and other worries you have, such as can you bring any liquids in? batteries in mp3 players? the size of your hand lagguage(show it to them if possible and put those restricted items into your check-in lauggage before you check in your lauggage). At the check in counter, they will normally tell you when you can board the plane(boarding time). Again, try to walk to the boarding/waiting area before the boarding time. (ask if you do not know where it is). Before you reach boarding area, you will be checked twice (depends on airport, and country). For my case, it is before entering the departure hall(where you see all the duty free shops, etc) and before the boarding area(where you are worried about the wand). Normally, at the departure hall, you are checked on your air ticket and passport. When you are at the boarding area, there will be a last check before you board the plane. Try to follow what the front people are doing. They will provide containers for you to empty all your stuff, and i mean ALL YOUR STUFF. Empty any keys, coins, notes, papers, etc (frankly speaking, they only check for metallic items) then you have to pass through a security door. At this point, they may run a wand over you, not touching you, to detect any metallic objects on you. Don't get too panic about the sound the door or the wand emits, it's normal to hear that. So just remain calm and follow what they say, you will be fine. If they ask you to take off your shoes, take them off. Smile, and you will be better ;) Right after all the security, take your belongings and move straight to the waiting area awaiting for any announcement to board your plane. Simple ;) In any case, that you do not understand, please ask the information counter for procedures and directions. They will be able to help you better(they are the pros there ;) ) and don't worry about anything. You are paying for the ticket, and the most it can happen to you is not able to board the plane. Good luck in your first trip. God bless ;)

Munchen008

First of all, nobody will touch you inappropriately. If you need to be patted down, it will be done by someone of your gender. You are allowed to bring up to 100 ml of liquid to the gate, but it must be in a clear plastic 1 quart bag, one per person only. If you have a bottle of liquor, pack it and check it in as baggage, but be sure it won't break or leak. You cannot bring any weapons or anything that looks like one. You should go to the TSA website if you are unsure of anything you might be carrying on. Aside from that, be sure to have government issued ID or a passport for international travel. If you follow the rules, you should have no trouble. Also, check in at least one and a half hours before your flight.

Read My Lips

When going through security, you walk through an archway which will detect any metal on you, but you will have to take off any jackets, such as keys. But when you show them it is just your keys, they will run a wand over you, they wont touch you (probably) and if that beeps, you will have to show them what is beeping.

You may be asked to take your shoes off. It's really no big deal, the queues to get there are worse!

You can take an MP3 player on board, you MIGHT have to turn it off for take off and landing. You have to turn off your cell phone unless it has a flight safe setting, but it is prefered you turn it off anyway, during take-off and landing again. You CANNOT use internet on board, sorry!

Tips:

Take-off and landing ARE scary the first time, but you get used to it, i find them fun! People on board are really eager to help you, my mum is afraid of flying and stewardesses hold her hand and reassure her, so you've always got support. It literally feels like you're going really fast in a car, that's it, then you just fly up and up! But you may have to yawn or chew gum or drink water to get rid of blocked ears, no biggy. Landing is a little scarier, but nothing to worry about, when you hit the ground it is a bit like a bump, but it is a big relief to realise you're at your destination.

I love flying, it is really nothing to worry about at all. Just follow the safety procedures IF YOU are in a sticky situation which is highly unlikely, and you'll be FINE.

Label your belongings with tags, you can buy them at an airport, and it'll just be so if you lose your suitcase it will be sent to your address, your you will be called.

Be at the airport and at the check in desk at least 2 HOURS before the flight time! VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT!
There ARE limits to how heavy your baggage can be, but you'll either have to pay for it to be heavier, or take stuff out :( but i've never had that happen and i take A LOT of stuff on board :D

Oh you're only allowed at most 100ml of liquid in your hand luggage, in your suitcase you're allowed any amount but handluggage 100ml max.

The questions you'll be asked at check in should be something like:
"Have you got anything sharp in your handluggage?"
"Any liquids such as mouthwash, water.. etc?"
"Have you packed your bag on your own?"
"Could anybody've tampered with your luggage?"
"Has anyone asked you to take anything for them on your trip?"

BTW FOR MAKE UP if you're female.. then you have to put it ALL into a CLEAR plastic bag, they might sell them at your airport but just to warn you :)

Like my dad (Who is a captain for British Airways) "You're more likely to get run over walking to school than you are being in a plane crash"

Don't worry, it's fun :)

Have fun on your journey, lucky you !

Niksh

Hi,
last year i had travelled through a stop over in Hong Kong from Dubai via Hong Kong To Manila
when you enter an airport you will be through x rays as well as your baggages and you will through this process 100 of times! and in the airplane you listen to the commands if they are equipped with multimedia you can listen through their own radio and watch their tv but during take off all devices must be switched off as well as in flight but mp3's i am ain't sure because you can't switch on radio controlled or R/C objects but the Air host will guide you. You can bring mp3's and cellphones but it should remain switch off during inflight just listen to the host.
Other tips:
1. Bring Water
2. Bring chewing gum ( in case you are in take off and landing your ears will hurt to avoid this chew a gum and try to yawn.)
3. put liquid things in your check in bags
and metal things as well it includes nail cutters etc.
4. Bring Toothbrush incase if they don't give one
5. bring tissues, face towels and antiseptic tissues you may use them during your flight if don't give one.
6. Pray before your plane takes off.
7. You will be like in a roller cooster. wheee!
8. List your no. of bags and put all your tickets and passport in a bag and not in your pocket and gaurd your bag during the baggage collection.
if u travel in hk you'll have to empty your bottles
and Label your keys and your bags and make sure you lock your bag not simply but use locks with keys and put them in your bag with your passport and money and ticket put all impostant things in one bag.

I am still an 11 and i know all of this and
if you travel in Economy it isn't good you'll say ouch during your sleep they will provide you a pillow and A blanket
(sometimes i take it home,hehehe!!)
Have a nice fly good luck and Bonvoyage!

Dangermanmi6

OK first off no one from security will touch you without being told they are going to pat you down and it will be by someone of your own gender.

Depending on where you are flying from they may ask you to take off your shoes for X-ray so wear socks and comfortable shoes, slip ons are best. Before going through security where they do X-ray your shoes I always undo my laces of my sneakers.

Have as little metal on you as possible, no jewelry, hugh belt buckles, watches, studs, etc. Setting of the metal detector only delays things for everyone and then security has to take the hand held and wand you to see where the metal is. My partner once asked the secruity lady about underwire bras and the answer is yes sometimes they do set the detector off so be prepaired if you where one.

I take my laptop and cell phone on business flights and I take my PSP & other cellphone on pleasure trips without any problems. They want you to turn off your electronic devices for departure and arrival it has more to do with hearing any commands from the crew rather than interfering with navigation. You may want to find noise cancelling over the ear type of headphones planes are VERY noisy and you would have to turn up the volume to hear your music.

Once you get into the secure area of the airport you should buy yourself a bottle of water to take on the plane to drink they get very dry. And speaking of water the ban is only on bringing liquids through security you can put gallons of stuff in your checked baggage but only 3 oz in your carry on.

Don't be afraid flying is fun (as much as it can be) have a good holiday and safe home

Kate .

You shouldn't be nervous. The security people will guide you and tell you what to do. They only run a wand over you if they see you as a 'risk' through the security checkpoint - it's just an annoyance. The whole security process can be nerve-wracking if it's crowded and you don't know what to do. Just stay calm and ask questions if you need to.

You can take electronics on board with you, but you will have to turn off your cell phone during the flight. I recommend that you put things like your keys, phone, wallet, etc in your carry-on bag, at least until you get through the security checkpoint. That way you won't forget to take them out of your pockets when you go through the metal detector. In fact, it's better to just put everything from your pockets in your carry on bag and then put them back in your pockets once you're past security. I was stopped once for chap-stick because it was foil-wrapped on the inside and I didn't know.

Obviously, don't put anything in your carry-on bag that can be considered a weapon - scissors, knives, tools, etc. I think they let you have small lighters now, but I don't smoke so I'm not sure. Remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. I always just stay on the safe side and put my shampoo in my checked bag.

When you get to the checkpoint, have your boarding pass and ID out and ready. Once you get in line to go through the checkpoint, you have to put everything in a separate bin to go through the scanning machine. Your shoes, coat, carry-on bag, and a laptop all have to go through separately to be scanned. Then you walk through the metal detector, pick up your stuff, and if everything goes normally you'll be on your way. If you streamline this process and do it quick, it makes everything easier for you, and for everyone behind you in line.

On another note, it is very important to be courteous to all the security people. They're the ones in control of your passage through the checkpoint. If they pull you aside, it's no big deal. They're just doing their job. Just be polite and comply.

If you just pay attention to signs and announcements, you should be fine.

inkeeper06

I fly all the time, it aint that bad. Make sure u take your personal items in a quart sized bad and put them out for them to see. Anything bigger than travel size check it or they will take it. Had em take my toothpaste in ABQ, NM a few weeks ago. U can take mp3, ipod,hand held games thru NP. U must keep cell off during flt, unless yours has a flight mode??!! They do not wand everybody, If your ticket has a SSS on it then u r gunna get the full screen, still not that bad.

mrbilldunn

they only use the wand if you request a hand search
or you are selected to be chose for a more though check or
you get a boarding pass with the code SSSS
you will have to turn off you cellphone while in flight

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: