What you can and can't take aboard
these days
Although baggage screening and passenger
searching has become more consistent as the TSA takes over the
screen process. Here are some guidelines on choosing what you
want to take with you and what to pack in your checked luggage.
First, BE PRO-ACTIVE. If you think an item
might be considered usable as a weapon, avoid possible problems
by checking it. Be aware that any items confiscated will not
be return. You are offered the opportunity to place it in checked
baggage, but by that time the luggage is usually long gone into
the system.
The requirement to check checked baggage
is scheduled to begin on 1 January 2003. There are some items
that may not be packed in baggage at all.
To see a listing of items that may be taken
or not can be found at the Transportation Security Agency website
at www.tsa.gov/public/index.jsp
- Don't try to take any
kind of knife on board, even if you never go anywhere without
your Swiss Army penknife on your key change. Multiuse tools are
also confiscated.
- Don't take any corkscrews,
bottle openers, steel knitting needles, scissors, sewing needles,
sharply pointed tweezers or metal nail files.
- Nail clippers are usually
ok, but if they have a sharp file attached they may get taken.
- Don't take any pepper
spray, Mace, or even hairspray if you value it.
- Security guards have been
known to confiscate inhalers. If you must have one, ask your
doctor for a letter saying so.
- Traveling with a baby?
Take a plastic spoon and don't take diaper pins on board.
- If you knit or crochet
on airplanes, take wooden or plastic hook and short plastic or
bamboo knitting needles. Circular needles are even better as
they have quite short ends. (This is all an iffy area, but it
doesn't seem reasonable for them to take wood knitting needles
it they don't also take pens and pencils).
Above all, try to be patient with the screening
process. It may seem ludicrous to you that the guards have taken
always your baby's silver fork, but no one wants another September
11 tragedy to happen, and we all just have to accept that certain
things ave changed in our lives. Really, your manicure scissors
are a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Written by Eve Ness, updated by Dave Robinson |