Holiday Travel – Airport Security Challenges

Author: Randy

Airport security can be a challenge for families on normal travel days. Add the complications of holiday travel and you’re in for a special treat. Getting through it isn’t impossible, you just need to be prepared.

In preparation for today’s post, I was doing some research and trying to catch up on some of my favorite blogs. Low and behold, Amy, of On the go with Amy had just posted TSA tips for holiday travelers. As usual, she did a terrific job and even sprinkled in some of her witty sense of humor. I just love reading her blog…she really makes me laugh.

Anyway, rather than rehash the same stuff, I thought I’d take a light hearted look at some of the challenges. Please read Amy’s post so that my ramblings will make some sense, or will at least be in context.

This whole 3-1-1 thing has had me totally confused from the very start. Is it a 3.4 oz bottle or 3.4 oz of liquid? Is toothpaste a liquid? How do I know the size of the container if it isn’t marked? What qualifies as a liquid? What if it is a solid that can melt into a liquid? Do I really have to put all of this stuff into a plastic bag? What if I don’t have a quart size bag? So many questions…so much confusion!

It’s literally exhausting to think about. Baby food, formula, diaper cream, medicine, wipes (can I squeeze enough liquid out of those), yogurt, juice and every other kid item you’ve ever stuffed into your carry-on now has to be evaluated in a different light. Have we messed up – oh, you bet. So, now we just keep it to a minimum. Here are some of my tips:

Bring a canteen (empty) and fill it with water after passing security
Use powdered formula or milk that you can reconstitute on the plane
Bring non-liquid snacks such as fruit, crackers, nuts and granola
Put all of your liquid health and beauty items in your checked luggage
Buy liquid items at your destination (ie toothpaste, etc)
Go perfume free

There will undoubtedly be some items that you will want to take onboard. For those, you’ll have to break down and limit them to a 3.4 oz container. Make sure the container is labeled with a size. You don’t need to put the stuff into a bag, but it is easier if you do so and it may keep you from being scolded. There are size exceptions for medicine, baby food and formula, but I advise following the tips and avoiding the hassle – it will get you through faster.

It would be great if that’s where it ended. But there’s more…how about those Christmas gifts? Uh oh, I hope you didn’t wrap them. Never try to bring wrapped gifts through airport security – just don’t do it, or you’ll likely be sorry that you did.

You also have to be careful on what you do try to bring onboard. So, you think that the one inch plastic knife in Hunter Dan’s Adventure Set is harmless, the TSA’s opinion may differ. How about that lovely non-stick frying pan that you bought for your in-laws? “Sorry sir, that could be used as a dangerous weapon, you’ll have to check it” followed by ”Sir, please place your (6 pound frying pan sized) laptop in the bin”. Umm, huh? It’s too confusing and inconsistent to be comprehended, even by the most astute of travelers.

Yeah, I understand that the inconsistency is a tactic to thwart would be harm doers; I’m just not sure how it helps my family prepare for airport screening. How about the shoes – do the baby’s shoes have to come off too? Arghh, no wonder the frequent flyer behind me (who looks an awful lot like me when I travel alone) is so impatient. Hey, don’t blame it on me buddy, talk to the TSA.

Now that we’ve unloaded the liquids, taken the laptop and video camera out of their cases, taken off all of our coats and shoes, folded the stroller for deep screening, dumped our loose change and other forgotten metal objects into our bag, lost our boarding passes, found our boarding passes again, deflected the nasty stares from the impatient travelers behind us (sheesh, it’s only been 5 minutes) and queued up to pass inspection, we have to do it all over again (in reverse) on the other side. What time does our plane leave again?

The TSA has a difficult and important job to do…and yes, your life may depend upon it. Cooperate and make their job as easy as possible and you’ll make the entire screening process for you and your family easier and faster. In this instance, less is definitely better. Safe travels for you and your family this holiday season!