Proper packing in a post-Sept. 11 world

By: Lindsay Celona
Posted In: Features

Monica Lane, a seasoned traveler from Newport Richey, Florida, waits at John F. Kennedy Airport as a security officer hand inspects the contents of her suitcase. A metal pitcher aroused suspicion because it looked like a grenade on the x-ray machine.

Packing for air travel has changed completely since September 11, 2001. Passengers are subject to much more scrutiny when passing through a security checkpoint. Lane, a seasoned traveler both domestic and internationally, has had to change the way she packs.

Lane says that she uses her carry on suitcase for domestic flights. A security officer checks this manually before entering the waiting area. She checks most of her baggage for international flights and limits the carry on baggage to avoid the extra scrutiny in international airports.

“All passengers whether flying domestic or international are subject to the same type of screening before they can board the plane,” she said.

On November 19, 2001, President George Bush signed a law that created the Transportation Security Administration. The organization, part of the Department of Transportation, handles all issues related to travel and airport security. TSA regulates which items are prohibited on an aircraft and offers packing tips to get through security as quickly as possible. The organization has advice for transporting everything from kitting needles to musical instruments.

All baggage is screened by an x-ray machine before it can be placed on a plane, said Ann Davis from the TSA office at T.F. Greene Airport in Warwick, R.I. Baggage can be opened and hand searched if an Explosive Detection Alarm is set off or if the something looks suspicious on the x-ray machine, like Lane’s metal pitcher.

“Place all toiletries and medications in a clear, plastic bag,” said Davis. “This way if your suitcase is opened, the screener can easily see them without having to handle them,” she said.

Davis said not to over pack your suitcase so that a screener can look through it easily and quickly. She also said that you should label all food and medicine because no unlabeled substance is allowed past the security checkpoint, she said.

Airports also prefer that you not put a lock on your suitcase in case they have to search, according to Patti Goldstein, a spokeswoman at T.F. Greene. If a suitcase is locked, the security officer can break the lock if he or she needs to search, said Goldstein.

“The rule of thumb for packing,” said Goldstein, “is that if you have to question whether or not an item should go in your carry on, put in your checked baggage,” she said.

This is important, according to Goldstein, because if the security officers have to take the time to search your carry on luggage, it will hold up the line. Also, you can have your items confiscated if they are not permitted

on the aircraft.

Goldstein also said that all presents must be unwrapped. No wrapped presents are allowed on the aircraft.

What to bring

Each passenger is allowed one piece of carry on luggage along with one personal item such as a purse, small backpack, briefcase, camera case or laptop computer. TSA recommends that you label your laptop with some kind of information so that it doesn’t get lost when going through the x-ray machine. All carry on baggage must be screened before being allowed on the aircraft.

The TSA website (www.tsa.gov) provides travelers with some helpful tips for packing. All undeveloped film should go in your carry on bag because the screening equipment used for checked baggage could damage it. Footwear should be placed on top of the other contents in your suitcase. Don’t over pack. If possible, use several bags. All food and drink should go in your carry on bags. Don’t stack piles of books in one suitcase; spread them out. Always put ID tags on all of your baggage, inside and out. Check ahead of time with your airline to find out how many pieces you are allowed as well as size and weight limitations.

What not to bring

TSA has a list, also available on its website, of all items that are prohibited on an aircraft. These items include weapons; explosives, incendiaries and any other item that could be used as a weapon. Any sporting goods such as baseball bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, any kind of martial arts weapons or ice skates must be placed in your checked luggage.

In addition, passengers aren’t allowed to carry on utility knives, scissors with metal pointed tips, razor blades, swords or carpenter’s tools. Up to two lighters and 4 books of safety matches are permitted in carry on bags, but aren’t allowed in checked luggage. Personal care products that contain aerosol, such as hairspray are allowed in limited amounts since aerosol is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration as a hazardous material.

Knitting needles are allowed in both your carry on and checked baggage, according to the TSA website. However, they may be viewed as a potential weapon. For this reason, TSA recommends that needles be made of bamboo or plastic rather than metal and that they are less than 31 inches long. All scissors must have blunt points. Any thread cutters must go in your checked baggage since they won’t be allowed through a security checkpoint, according to the TSA website.

Musical instruments are allowed as either carry on or checked luggage. You should check with your airline first to determine whether or not your instrument meets the size requirements for the aircraft. TSA recommends that horn instruments be checked while string instruments, depending on the size, are best transported as carry on items. If the instrument is fragile, it should have written handling and repacking instructions. Make sure your instructions are understandable to someone with no musical background.

Following the TSA’s tips for packing will ensure you an easier time at the security checkpoint. It is recommended that you call your airline prior to your flight if you have any questions regarding prohibited items or size limitations. In addition, call the TSA office at your local airport for information regarding packing.

The level of security differs from airport to airport, said Lane. Tampa is more relaxed than Providence and New York is stricter than Boston.

“Since 9/11, I no longer carry on nail files, clippers tweezers or any item that might be construed as dangerous,” said Lane. “I put all these items in my checked baggage,” she said.