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http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=183&content=09000519800e12f4

Travelers & Consumers
Printable Version

Travel Tips

2004 Holiday Season Travel Tips

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a few tips to make your travel experience during the 2004-2005 winter season more enjoyable. The suggestions below will help expedite your screening process at the airport checkpoints.

Please read below or download the Holiday Travel Tips. (PDF 98KB)

GUNS AND AMMUNITION

Firearms must be unloaded, placed in a locked hard-sided container and transported in checked baggage only. You must declare them to your airline. Firearm parts and ammunition are also prohibited from carry-on luggage. Ammunition must travel in the manufacturer's packaging or other packaging suitable for transport.

PACKING

Pack your valuables, including jewelry, money, and laptops, and fragile items in your carry-on baggage. Fragile items and laptops could be damaged during transport, particularly when stored in the cargo hold of an aircraft or during handling.

Do not pack heavy food items in your checked luggage. Foods such as fruitcake may cause the airport screening machines to alarm, thus slowing down the security process.

Do not overstuff your bags. Overstuffed bags will be more difficult to close if the screeners have to open your bag for a physical inspection.

SCREENING PROCEDURES

There are newly enhanced screening procedures in effect this winter season. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the screening process so that you can move through the checkpoints rapidly. Please be assured that TSA puts a high priority on customer service and that we have procedures in place to address all concerns.

Please be aware that although you may not alarm the metal detector, you may be required to go through additional screening for other reasons. Additional screening may include a pat-down of your upper and/or lower body. If you are selected for additional screening, you may request a private area where it can be conducted.

As you approach the checkpoint, put all your metallic items, including keys, coins, phones, etc. in your carry-on bag or a plastic bag before you get to the x-ray machine. This will allow you to place all items together in the plastic bin at the checkpoint for easy retrieval as you exit. Some airports provide free plastic bags at the entrance to the checkpoint to collect your metal objects.

Remove your overcoat, as well as your jacket, blazer and suit coat, and place them in a plastic bin or on the x-ray belt. If a sport coat or blazer is worn as the outermost garment – not over a blouse or sweater, for example – it does not have to be removed. Sweaters and sweatshirts may remain on unless they contain a significant amount of metal or their size and bulk could potentially be used to conceal dangerous articles.

Take your laptop and video cassette-type camera out of their carrying cases. Place them in a plastic bin. You may put your overcoat and other coats or jackets on top of these items.

GIFTS

Bring your gifts to the checkpoint unwrapped. Your gifts will be unwrapped by a screener if additional screening is required. You should consider bringing the wrapping paper and tape with you and wrapping your gifts upon arrival.

SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Transport skis and ski poles in checked baggage. You can take ski boots as carry-on luggage. Sporting equipment that can be used as a club (e.g. baseball bats) must be placed in checked baggage. Refer to the Transporting Special Items section of the TSA website for more guidance.

SHOES

You may save yourself several minutes if you remove your shoes and place them on the the X-ray belt at the checkpoint prior to going through the metal detector. If you wear shoes that have thick-soles, including boots, certain athletic shoes, and platform shoes, or have shoes with metal, you will likely be required to undergo additional screening, even if the metal detector does not alarm.

LOCKING YOUR LUGGAGE

We suggest that you lock your checked baggage with a TSA Accepted and recognized lock. TSA screeners can gain access to bags with these locks without damaging your bag or lock. Other locks may need to be cut if a physical inspection is required. TSA is not liable for damage to locks.

INAPPROPRIATE STATEMENTS

Jokes or statements regarding bombs and/or threats during the screening process are taken very seriously. They may be grounds for both civil and criminal penalties, and could cause you to miss your flight.

CHECKPOINT WAIT TIMES

TSA provides expected wait times for the security checkpoints to assist you in planning for your flight. Remember to build in additional time for parking and airline check-in and check with your airline for possible flight delays.