travelnews: New Baggage Rules

[Carolyn Wooley <cwooley@oregon.uoregon.edu>]

AIRLINES SET NEW RULES TO ACCOMMODATE BAGGAGE-SCREENING MANDATE THAT GOES 
INTO EFFECT TODAY.

Some U.S. airlines are changing rules for customers to account for new
checked-baggage screening requirements that kick in today, January 18.
As
of that date, airlines will have to inspect each checked bag either with
an
explosive detection device; bomb-sniffing dog, or hand search, or by
making
sure the passenger who checked the bag boards the flight. If he doesn't,
the
bag must be pulled from the aircraft. As a result of the new requirements,
some airlines said they must adapt their customer policies. For example: *
United said its customers will face some new restrictions concerning
last-minute requests to change flight times or routings.      * Delta said
its customers now must check in their baggage at least 30 minutes prior to
departure. Also, Delta said, booked customers standing by for an earlier
or
later flight must tell Delta at the time they check their bags so their
bags
will be placed on the same flight. * Continental changed the boarding time
for domestic flights. Its customers must be checked in and at the gate no
later than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure, or risk having their
reservations canceled, seats released and checked baggage removed from the
flight.
Airlines at Portland International Airport (PDX) predict that the change
will be relatively transparent for travelers, but offer some tips to help
make travel as smooth as possible. Travelers should:  * Call their airline
in advance to find out how early to get to the airport, but be prepared to
arrive up to two hours before the flight, and * Report to the gate well in
advance of the flight, as many airlines will close the cabin door 10
minutes
or more before the flight to allow crew members adequate time to complete
bag screening. Again, travelers should call their airline for more
specific
instructions, as the exact timing will vary from airline to airline.