Bubba

In the past, I've always packed light and have found that I can manage a two week trip with a fairly small carry on bag. My next long trip will be the first part of July, and I'm wondering if I would be better off checking my bag to avoid the security hassle. Or are they now searching checked baggage?

Any advice/experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Lenore

We've only flown twice since 9-11, but this is what we've experienced in FLL, LAX, TPA, HNL and OGG airports. They are scanning (heavy duty x-rays) all checked bags. You should not put film in your checked bags because it will be damaged. They also send all your carry-on items through the normal x-ray machines, but seem to check it MUCH more thoroughly than in the past. The second trip, I brought only a wheeled carry-on. I keep two tiny pairs of scissors in my make-up bag and forgot to remove them before I left. They confiscated both pairs. My sister had a tiny pocket knife, but it passed detection. Then you may also be randomly picked for another search at the gate prior to boarding. This is where they opened up our luggage and bags withing our luggage and really seached through everything. I had to take off my shoes and show them the bottoms of my feet. My husband had to unfasten his belt. They scanned our bodies as well as our lugggage. It's kind of a pain, but you don't really have a choice!

Connie

I went on a group tour for two weeks with a huge bag plus carry on as did most others in the group.

This one couple bragged about how they were COO (carry on only). After seeing how little hassle it was to check and pick up the bags, they started checking their bags too!

As far as searching carry ons, from all the flights I have taken recently, it looks like they pick one or people on the whole flight to check.

It's really not that much different . You are going to put carry ons through the x ray machine just like you did before.

Dave

I basically agree with the above posts, but there is something else to consider. All airlines have a list of objects not allowed in carry-ons. Included in this list are common items like razors, finger nail files, scissors etc. It used to be conventional wisdom to pack your toiletries in a carry-on in case your luggage was lost. Now packing toiletries in checked luggage seems like the way to go.

Annie

So has anyone seen a ladies shaving razor confiscated?

Suzy

Actually, razors are specifically *permitted* in the FAA regulations.