Minya

Hi. We are headed off to the caribbean next month. With the already tightened security at the airports and now with the War on Iraq, do you have any suggestions on how to pack to ensure we easily move through security if our bags our searched. We understand not to have any sharp objects in our carry-on, but are there any other tips? Thanks.

brite

all electronic equipment must be workable..ie you need to bring batteries for your camera cause if it doesn't work they'll take it. Happened to one of mine and it took me 4 months to get it back.

walkabout

Try the website for the Transportation Security Administration:<BR><BR> www.tsatraveltips.us <BR><BR>It contains info on security procedures, prohibited items, and more. <BR>

mollyjar

I'm flying to Paris in December and want to carry on crochet stuff. The TSA website says that crochet hooks and blunt tipped scissors are allowed on planes, but I know that my mom has had her nail clippers (which are aupposed to be allowed) taken away. So I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences taking these?

walkabout

I had my blunt-tipped scissors--the kind children use--confiscated. I told the screener that the TSA website said they were allowable. He put them back and told me he would let me take them &quot;this time.&quot;

Although there is more consistency about carry-on items now than immediately post-9/11, it is still a crapshoot. If you want to crochet on the plane, then I would go ahead and take them, but don't be surprised if they are confiscated. If you also want to crochet while you are in Paris, then you might want to pack them (or a backup pair) in your checked baggage if you have any.

abram

Leave your checked luggage unlocked; otherwise they may cut off the locks if they need to look inside.

Put all film in your carry-on; the stronger x-rays they use for checked luggage can damage it. We use lead-lined bags and have never been asked to open them, much to our surprise.

fromos5

I'm hearing the same stories of inconsistencies (re: the blunt-tip scissors story) between what the TSA says and what they actually do.

On diabetes message boards I'm hearing from people who've been told in the airport they must have notes from their doctors stating that they need syringes, and yet the TSA guidelines say those are not accepted because of the possibility of forgery!

Another crazy thing: My friend flew from Seattle to Detroit last week and had her COMB taken away from her and was told she must &quot;take out&quot; her hair jewelry. She had dread-locks and these beads are literally PART OF HER HAIR now! LOL! She CAN'T take them out without cutting her hair off! They really hassled her about it too. They then wanted to look through each dread-lock on her head. LOL! And trust me, she is NOT suspicious-looking! She might have strange hair, but she's 40 years old and VERY respectable.

How to pack? Ummm... they might give you hell no matter what you do, it seems. Just don't pack anything in your hair, LOL...

Anonymous

Pack small things like sox and undies together in ziplock bags, so that if necessary they can be taken out without much handling and re-packed easily. Don't overstuff each bag, the point is for the staff to be able to see what's in them, and thin bags are easier to repack into your suitcase than fat rounded overstuffed ones.

Jed

Go to the TSA site &lt;http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlib...3v2.pdf&gt;and print out the list of permitted items. Then you can show the screener that knitting and crochet needles are permitted, and also scissors with blunt tips. My wife carried knitting needles on a plane last week without problem.

Of course, some of the screeners are either too stubborn or stupid to be reasonable. They are Federal employees, so they must be right!! If this happens, ask for a supervisor.

Anonymous

The list of permitted items is the list of things that the FEDS permit. Individual airports are allowed to add restrictions to this list, so it should be considered a minimum guideline for what not to pack, rather than some sort of legal persuasion when screeners try to enforce local additional restrictions.

peregrina

My blunt scissors story: I too, believed the blunt scissors thing &amp; had them confiscated. I don't know about other countries, but they were confiscated in France (CDG). Each checkpoint had these big covered bins with hundreds of pairs. Frankly, I think it's a conspiracy to equip all French children with scissors for school!

katybird

Clover makes a neat thread cutter pendant. It looks like a medallion piece of jewelry. It's wonderful for handiwork when traveling.

Mykael

Hey a great idea and to save on space is disposable travel underwear, its convenient and comfortable too! Check out this link: http://www.nb-enterprises.com

Kathygo

I was headed to a tropical island and the can of Raid I'd packed in my checked luggage was confiscated by TSA. The note they left in the luggage read &quot;Raid is a hazardous material&quot;.

NYPDRET

Hi,

I have a metal knee and if you think you are hassled, try explaining that the reason the buzzer went off is that you have metal where no metal should be. I have, on more than one occosian been forced to another room to drop my drawers to show them my scars.

Bob

saharabee

Just returned from 3 weeks in the BVI. I got frustrated while packing trying to interpret both Canadian and TSA packing requirements and finally just started throwing everything I wanted to take into our bags. We took down bottles of booze, a dive knife, metal spray cans of Off, toothpaste in a metal tube, spray cans of hair mousse.... The only issue we had with all our stuff was with a shrinkwrap card of 5 disposable cigarette lighters. It had to be opened up and the lighters split between my bags and my husbands as the rules only permit 3 lighters per person (???). Both going down and coming back we left all bags unlocked. Coming back, the bag with the rum was chosen for secondary inspection (was sealed and had a note from TSA inside). Nothing missing from any of our bags and all security staff was efficient, professional, courteous, helpful and very pleasant (unlike Customs and Immigration). Take what you want and just be careful to follow the TSA rules about what cannot go into carry-on bags.

Linda