Cruise Diva's FOCUS
is on
Cruise Travel Safety & Security
Flying the
Friendlier Skies to Your Cruise Port
Road
trips are fun for short jaunts but for speed and
convenience, give us a ticket to fly.
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Take a moment and imagine what
travel must have been like for America's pioneers. They aimed their
wagon trains west and crossed prairies, deserts, and mountains to
settle this great land. Undaunted, they endured great hardships to
reach their destinations.
What would those pioneers think of
twenty-first century air travel? Could they have envisioned a day
when people would soar effortlessly through the sky? No, of course
not. Even in the twenty-first century, air travel is something of a
mystery to most people. How do those big, heavy planes actually defy
gravity? No matter, they do it somehow and they do it reliably. Road
trips are fun for short jaunts, but for speed and convenience, give
us a ticket to fly.
What about your personal safety and
security? It seems that it's never been safer to fly. Passengers can
expect more personal scrutiny by airport security personnel and
items we never regarded as "tools" or "weapons"
are now banned from carry-on luggage.
As a general rule, allow plenty of
time to check in--at least two hours for domestic flights and three
to four hours for international travel. Curbside check-in may be
available but you should be prepared to take your luggage inside and
wait in line.
Generally,
anything that is sharp or sprays (even perfume & hair
spray) should go in your checked luggage.
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Pack light and carry on only what
is absolutely necessary, such as medicine and a minimal toiletry
kit. Diabetics requiring insulin shots should check with the airline
regarding their carry-on policy and having a physician's letter
explaining the necessity for syringes is always a good idea.
Airport security searches are
conducted thoroughly and the less you have, the quicker you'll get
through them. Be prepared to take your laptop computer out of its
case and send it through x-ray in a separate tray. Also remove your
shoes and jacket to send them through.
Air travelers may carry only
certain liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going
through security checkpoints subject to the following rules:
- All liquids, gels and aerosols
must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers
that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not
allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
- All liquids, gels and aerosols
must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic
bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as
fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler
can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
- Each traveler must remove their
quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place
it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening.
X-raying separately will allow security officers to more easily
examine the declared items.
There are exceptions for baby
formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and
aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Following is a partial list of
items to avoid putting in your carry-on:
- Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman
Tool
- Scissors (with pointed tips and
blades longer than four inches)
- Cork screws
- Screwdrivers (longer than seven
inches in length)
- Can openers
- Razor blades
- Cans of pepper spray or mace
Generally, anything that is sharp
or sprays should go in your checked luggage to avoid scrutiny. It
goes without saying that your spray bottles should be enclosed in a
zipper-lock plastic bag in case of spillage. Standard guidelines of
allowable/banned items are listed in full at the Transportation
Security Administration web site.
Many travelers use plastic cable
ties to secure luggage zippers--as much to prevent baggage handlers
from introducing anything into them as to keep them from removing
personal belongings. Packing manicure scissors and fingernail
clippers inside checked luggage will make removing the cable ties
somewhat challenging. One suggestion is to put the nail clippers in
an outside, unsecured pocket of a checked bag. Various suitcase
styles have a small outside pocket with a single zipper and nail
clippers are unlikely to be stolen. Even if yours end up missing,
you can usually count on hotel front desks and cabin stewards to
have a handy pair of scissors.
Most importantly, use common sense
while you pack and bring along your patience and sense of humor when
you fly.
Back
to Cruise Diva's FOCUS
on Safety & Security
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