travelnews: Travel Tips for Holiday Travel

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

According to Asa Hutchinson, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Under
Secretary for Border and Transportation Security, air travelers who follow
three simple tips, which can be summarized as IN, OUT, and OFF, will
contribute significantly to steps the DHS is taking to ensure aviation
security and make travel as enjoyable as possible during the busy
Thanksgiving holiday season.

Following the three travel tips will prepare air travelers to go through
checkpoints and drastically reduce chances of a more thorough secondary
screening being required. Here's what to do when approaching the
checkpoint:

IN - Place all metal items IN a carry-on bag while waiting in line.

OUT - Take laptops OUT of their cases.

OFF - Take coats OFF.

With the holiday season approaching, it also is a good time to revisit the
general TSA Travel Tips that are familiar to frequent fliers:

 Everyone, even frequent fliers, should double check the content of their
pockets and bags, particularly carry-on luggage, to ensure no prohibited
items were inadvertently packed.

 Think about what you are wearing before going to the airport. Metal
clothing or metal jewelry are likely to require additional screening.

 Pack undeveloped film in carry-on bags. Checked baggage screening
equipment will damage undeveloped film.

 Wrap gifts upon arrival at your destination. If gifts require additional
screening, screeners may have to un-wrap them.

 Do not over pack bags. If screeners have to open them, closing
overstuffed bags can be difficult and result in delays for checked
baggage.


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