Your Trip - Tips for Flights
» Airport Security Issues
Guide Sections ...   • Introduction   • What Not To Pack   • Carry-On Baggage   • Airport Security Issues   • Passenger Safety   • Turbulence   • Child Safety Seats   • Exit Row Seating   • Electronics Onboard   • Unruly Passengers   • Fire or Smoke   • Evacuation For special travel advisories concerning security threats at your destination, call the Department of Transportation’s Travel Advisory Line at 1-800-221-0673. Arrive early. Current security measures increase time needed to check in. When traveling with young children, infants, elderly or disabled passengers, build in even more time. DO NOT leave your car unattended in front of the terminal. Security measures mean local parking rules are being strictly enforced and your car may be towed. Keep your photo identification handy. If you do not have a photo ID, make sure you have two pieces of identification, one of which must be issued by a government authority. Minors are not required to have identification. Failure to have proper identification may result in additional security scrutiny. Some airlines may prohibit you from boarding without proper ID. For international flights, airlines are required to collect your full name and ask you for a contact name and phone number. Keep your eyes open for unattended packages and bags, and report them to authorities. Watch your bags and don’t accept packages from strangers. Be prepared to answer questions about who packed your bags and whether you might have left them unattended at any time. Think carefully and answer honestly--history has shown that criminals and terrorists use unwitting passengers to carry bombs or other dangerous items on board aircraft, either by tricking passengers into carrying packages or by simply slipping items into unwatched bags. If you have any doubts, say so. Do not joke about having a bomb or firearm in your possession. Security personnel are trained to react when they hear these words. Penalties can be severe, and can include the possibility of time in prison and/or fines. Both carry-on and checked bags are subject to being hand-searched, especially when airline security personnel cannot determine by X-ray the contents of a package. Leave gifts unwrapped until after you arrive at your destination. Airline security personnel will open it if X-rays are unable to identify the contents. Leave your firearms at home, and do not pack fireworks, flammable materials, household cleaners, or pressurized containers. Remember that violators of hazardous materials regulations are subject to civil penalties of up to $27,500 per violation, as well as possible criminal prosecution.