I haven't flown since 9/11, so I have some quick questions.

I'll be going on a trip to NY on 5/8, and I was wondering now about the following:

1. I know that no sharp METAL objects are allowed in the cabin, (I'm not bring anything like that) but I plan to play my Suduko games. I tend to make a lot of mistakes, so I use pencils, which I will sharpen before I leave! Am I allowed to have those in my handbag? I know this seems like a silly question!

2. During take-off and landings, am I allowed to hold my POCKETBOOK in my lap? I mean, in the past, no flight attendant ever objected to me holding my pocketbook, (it's not all that big) but I'm just double checking....

3. When we reach the security checkpoints, do we have to take off our jewerly? Let me explain why I'm asking. Back in 1998, when my family was going to fly to Tampa, in the limo on the way to LaGuardia Airport, my mom had on several bracelets, and she told me to take them off because security will make us do that. And she had on a LOT of them. Well, it turns out, she DIDN'T have to take off her jewerly at all! But things may be different, now. The last time I flew was in 1999, and I passed through the security checkpoints, and didn't have to take off my earrings! I don't wear much jewerly, but it could be a pain to take off my necklace, so I want to be prepared!

Thank you for answering my questions!

Simple answers to simple questions.

1 - You can bring sharpened pencils on-board but why don't you just take a mechanical pencil and a supply of lead and a good eraser?

2 - No, you may not hold your pocketbook in your lap. Rules require that it be kept in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you during take-offs and landings.

3 - Normally you won't have to take off your jewelry but if you are "wearing a lot of metal" it could set off the metal dectector. If that happens you'll be asked to set aside and the TSA agent will pass a hand held metal detector called a "wand" around you to confirm that it is your jewelry not contraband that set off the metal detector. You are, of course, free to remove your jewelry and put it in your pocketbook before you go through the security checkpoint but that is a personal decision. Chances are your jewelry won't set off the metal detector unless it's contains a lot of metal.

If you have not flown much recently, other things to keep in mind -
1. The liquids rule. All liquids must be in amounts of 3 ounces or less and all bottles/containers must fit into ONE one-qt zipper bag. This must be removed and placed on conveyer bin when going thru security.

2. Food rule. They will likely feed you nothing but 6 peanuts on the plane - bring food. You can bring food from home or buy something from INSIDE security. You can not even bring a water bottle from home, but can buy one inside security and carry that on plane.

3. Your plane will be full - that is almost a guarantee. No extra seats to sprawl into.

4. People are randomly pulled out of security line for "extra attention". This happens to everyone who flies frequently and does not necessarily mean you did anything suspicious. You may be wanded, your luggage unpacked, you may be patted down.

5. You will be required to remove shoes going thru security. Wear socks and easy to remove shoes.

Thanks for your answers!

I know I'll have to take off my shoes. My brother flies once in a while, and he had to take off his shoes every time he passed through the security checkpoints.

Hi cmm, because I have had problems with wearing jewelry I put it in my carryon case and put it on after going through security. Just my personal experiences.

A reminder not to put that jewelery in your checked luggage - or anything essential or valulable. Also, since there is the chance your checked luggage will be opened to be inspected, you can not lock it. Nor should you pack it so tightly that you need to sit on it to close it.

First, then you will not have a space for everything you buy shopping in NY and second the TSA will then have trouble closing it as well. (So eliminate one of those pairs of shoes)

Last few domestic flights I've been either half asleep or in a hurry. Once I left a bottle of eyedrops in my purse and TSA didn't notice. Next I forgot to even take my quart bag out of my pack and TSA didn't comment. Next I forgot and left my quart bag in my rollaboard and no response from TSA.

I did remember to take off my shoes and jacket.

Agree with Kay - I think the TSA has stopped making big deal out of liquids thing. Flew on 2 flights a week ago with Purell (banned as a liquid and as flammable) and hand lotion in my purse - forgot they were there and TSA did not notice. Removed them on the way home but this time forgot to put hair mousse in ziplock bag and that was not discovered either (also I think mousse was too large in volume).