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AIRPORT SECURITY 

 

You can minimize the new hassles of flying 

By CAROL SOTTILI 
THE WASHINGTON POST   Tribune  August 20, 2006
- 

   New airport security rules that went into effect as a result of the
recent terrorism threat may be temporary, but flying will clearly be even
less fun than usual for a while. Here are our tips for making the journey as
painless as possible. (The situation is fluid, so check with the resources
listed below for the latest information before you fly.) 
   
. Know the rules. At press time, the latest rules for international and
domestic flights in the United States and the United Kingdom prohibited
carry-on beverages and liquids, including shampoo, creams, toothpaste and
hair gel. 
   Exceptions to the no-beverage rule were being made for baby formula
(carrying formula powder rather than premixed bottles is your best bet) and
prescription drugs and insulin (make sure they're properly labeled in your
name). 
   For flights traveling out of or connecting through the United Kingdom,
the rules were more stringent. In addition to the beverage ban, carryon
luggage - including handbags - was banned. Passengers could each carry
onboard one plastic bag (we recommend clear plastic), which could contain
only wallets, travel documents, prescription medicines needed during flight,
eyeglasses, contact lens holders, baby food and formula, diapers and wipes,
tissues, keys and female sanitary items. 
   Also on UK flights, no electrical or battery-operated devices - including
laptops, cell phones and portable music players - were being permitted in
carry-on luggage. Information on UK restrictions is at 
www.dft.gov.uk. 
   
. Pack wisely. The items being banned from carry-ons are generally allowed
in checked luggage. Liquids, however, may leak during changes in air
pressure, so we recommend placing them in sealed plastic bags or specially
made sacks, available through luggage stores or online (at sites such as
www.magellans.com). Leave room at the top of each bottle for expansion.
Also, super-tight plastic bottles are available at REI and other outdoors
stores. 
   At press time, some carriers (including American Airlines and Ryanair)
were waiving excess luggage fees, at least for flights originating or
connecting in the UK, but most were still charging an extra $25 to $50 for
heavy bags. Weight rules and fees vary by airline. Check with your carrier
before you fly, and weigh your bags at home to avoid extra fees. 
   
. Give yourself extra time at airports. The Transportation Security
Administration was recommending at least a two-hour lead time, although it
also advised checking with your airline. Continental and United, for
example, were recommending that all passengers flying domestically and
internationally get to the airport three hours ahead of flight time. Also,
consider flying out of an airport with fewer international flights. 
   
. Consider other luggage options. More checked bags means more lost bags.
One option is to preship your luggage, but this is pricey, especially if
you're traveling internationally. For example, one large bag, weighing up to
65 pounds, shipped from Washington to London and back would cost about $726
through Luggage Forward, (866) 416-7447, www.luggage forward.com. Other
companies include Sports Express, (800) 357-4174, www.sportsexpress.com, and
Skycap International, (877) 775-9227, www.sky capinternational.com. 
   
. Check refund policies. If you've paid for plane tickets but would rather
stay home, many airlines at press time had eased flight-change and refund
restrictions. For example, American (www.aa.com) issued a liberal change and
refund policy for domestic and international flights, allowing refunds
(travel vouchers for nonrefundable tickets) and free travel date changes up
to Sept. 1 for tickets issued on or before Aug. 9. Other airlines, such as
British Airways, were sticking to a more restrictive change policy. Check
with your carrier. 
   
. Stay current. Get the latest updates from the Transportation Security
Administration, (866) 289-9673, www.tsa.gov, and your airport. For
information on carriers, check airport Web sites, which offer links to
carriers operating flights from their area. 

 


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