Our Travel Security Alert Packing Guide
Keep On Traveling... But Travel Smart Travel Informed
"Your travel security alert packing guide makes it sound easy... So I read all your packing pages... Your tips work! Thanks." Glad we could help. Our travel security alert packing guide will help with the travel smart part... but travelers should stay informed of developments. On our home page I mentioned that Mark works for an airline... Believe it or not, he still comes home with stories about travelers not packing correctly... people saying, "I didn't know," or "Nobody told me." Read on... We'll tell you what you need to know about what sizes of liquids, creams and gels are allowed in your carry-on luggage in the U.S. and Europe and how to carry them for fewer hassles when you travel. Security alerts can be put in place immediately when a serious threat is discovered. In that case... nobody knew... but even now, YEARS after the latest requirements have been plastered all over the news, people arrive at the airport with those same old refrains... "I can't take that?" Our travel security alert packing guide will help you travel prepared. (And you won't end up having to throw expensive lotions away!) The first lesson in our security alert packing guide is...
Today's Alerts Can Change
The restrictions on what you can take in your luggage on the plane may be loosened or tightened as any given threat is evaluated.This could even happen when you're on your trip. If the rules change while you're traveling, repack your suitcases if you have to... Even if it's in the hotel lobby... We know.... we've done it... right after 9/11 coming home from Africa!
Our travel security alert packing guide is a starting point, but it is by no means the definitive answer to "Can I take it or not?" Each airport and airline may impose its own rules. These rules can be confusing, so even individual agents or officers may interpret the rules differently. Contact your air carrier and/or the airport you are flying from. For the latest information, a good place to check is with the
Transportation Security Administration.
They have lists of permitted and prohibited items and information on what to expect at screening.
Travel Security Alert Packing Guide for Most International and Domestic Flights in the US
Check your Liquids or Not? As of September 26, 2006, the TSA adjusted the regulations for liquids, creams, gels, and aerosols. The TSA website originally said, "Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART SIZE (8" x 7.5"), clear plastic, zip-top bag." You will have to place the plastic bag in a bin or on the conveyor belt for separate x-ray.Quietly, through, the TSA has further adjusted this volume to 3.4 ounces which equals the metric measurement of 100 ml that most of the rest of the world uses.
Another rule in the Security Alert Packing Guide... those BOTTLES must be a 3.4 ounce size (100 ml) or less. You can NOT carry-on larger bottles that are nearly empty... Even if you only have 3.4 ounces left in the bottom... the bottle is too big. Period. These adjusted regulations are probably what we're going to have to live with for the foreseeable future, so for larger sizes of your shampoo, toothpaste and lotions, the choices are to pack them in checked in luggage, or go shopping on arrival. See our
security alert cosmetics packing guide
for tips for you ladies and what we put in that plastic bag.
Beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area may now be carried onboard the aircraft. Exceptions are made for larger quantities of essential medications and prescriptions. When
packing medications
in carry-ons you are not limited in the amount anymore. If your medically necessary items exceed 3.4 ounces, or if you carry them outside of the one-quart, zip-top bag, you must
declare medications to the TSA at the security checkpoint.
For travel in and out of the UK, the rules for medications are slightly different. They allow liquid medicine or baby milk/food, in a "quantity essential for your trip." These must be declared at the security checkpoint for additional screening. Pack the rest in your checked luggage. Locks for checked bags. If you lock your checked luggage, security inspectors may break or cut off locks. There are special TSA authorized locks available at travel stores and online. The screeners have special codes for these locks and can open them if necessary. Take a look at Magellans Travel Supplies for locks and travel supplies of all kinds to make life easier on the road. Rules for the travel security alert packing guide may vary from country to country. We repeat: each airline or airport may impose its own rules. Airlines and government agencies are working to adopt uniform standards, but for now they may vary.
Travel Security Alert Packing Guide for the UK, Europe and Australia
Restriction for flights out of the UK and Europe are basically the same. If your airline allows it, you may take more than one item of hand baggage. Cabin baggage must be no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm (approximately 22" x 14" x 9"). You may pack small quantities of liquids... individual containers not greater than 100 ml (3.4 oz.) capacity. They must comfortably fit in a 20cm x 20cm (8" x 8") clear plastic, zip top bag which must be fastened closed. Check with the
British Airways website
for up to the minute information. Australia has instituted similar restriction for departing international flights beginning March 31, 2007. See the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services website for more details. While we try to keep this Travel Security Alert Packing Guide up to date, we always recommend you check with the website for the specific countries of your departure and arrival. The rules are changing all the time.
If Security Alerts become Stricter...
If carry-ons are banned again in the future, valuables become more of a problem. Our travel security alert packing guide is a work in progress... it has to be with the rules changing frequently. We've always said don't check what you can't afford to lose... Laptops, cell phones, and cameras are allowed again, but if that changes, plan ahead... do you need your laptop and cell phone? Can you lock them to the inside of your luggage with a security cable? Remember anything in an unlocked, checked bag could be at risk.
Before and After You Pack
Use our travel security alert packing guide to plan how you will pack. Do you need to buy new locks? Can you e-mail computer files ahead? Can you pack a thumb drive instead of your laptop?An absolutely essential travel security alert packing guide rule is GET TO THE AIRPORT EARLY. Be patient at security. You will almost certainly be required to take off your shoes, and your jacket, and empty your pockets, and take off watches. When you're regrouping after security, don't be in a rush because it took so long... check to make sure you picked up all of your belongings. If you got there plenty early (good for you!) and you sit around drinking lots of liquids waiting for your boarding call... remember to "go before you go." For arrivals and departures from some airports, you may not be able to use the lavatories on the plane within 30 minutes of takeoff or landing. We're no happier about this than anyone else. Even with carry-on restrictions, we will continue to pack light, but where things are packed and what we take will change as the situation does. So I've tried to come up with a travel security alert packing guide for our own use, and you may find some helpful suggestions for your trip.... because you're still going to take that trip... right?! Still need to book a flight or hotel? Remember there are No Expedia Change or Cancel fees on hotels, cruises, cars and more! Need a little more information beyond our travel security alert packing guide about how to pack? Go ahead and search... Happy travels... even if you don't travel the world... just remember that life is a journey... embrace and enjoy it! Judy and Mark
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