Know What You Can and Can't Carry on Board an Aircraft
Increasing airport security regulations are making it more and more difficult to know what can and can't be carried on board an aircraft. You may leave a country with your gel pack, only to have it confiscated upon return. This article provides you guidelines for staying informed and minimizing the risks of losing something to security, being subjected to additional screening, missing your flight, or ending up in trouble.
Contents
Steps
Be Informed
- Know which organization you may need to be in contact with. Keep a list with their websites and phone numbers handy while travelling. Useful organizations include:
- The Bureau of Consular Affairs
- Transportation Security Administration
- the airline(s) you are travelling with
Know the Basics
- Know the 3-1-1 rule. For travel in the US, a passenger is allowed in their carry-on no more 3 bottles containing no more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) of liquid. Bottles must be placed in a quart-sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
- Rethink packing potentially problematic items. Certain items that are generally permitted may still be subject to additional screening or prohibited at security's discretion (such as if it triggers an alarm or appears to have been tampered with). Items that can potentially pose security concerns include:<p>
- sharp objects
- sporting goods
- tools
- firearms and martial arts weapons
- foods including creamy dips, jams, and salsa
- liquid contain decorative items such as lava lamps or snow globes
- Always take prescriptions with your medication, and try to carry on medications in their original packaging. This will not only enable you to carry the item on the aircraft with you, it will also assist with any questions a customs officer might raise in your country of arrival.
- Play it safe. If you are unsure about an item, mail it ahead of time or leave it at home.
Be Prepared and Aware
- Know what you have. You are responsible for your belongings and what's in them, so double-check pockets and compartments of clothing and bags for items that may have been forgotten about such as lighters, swiss-army knives, bottle openers, etc.
- Be aware that the list of prohibited items is constantly being updated, especially when there is a security scare. Refer to the relevant websites to find out immediately before travelling what restrictions are in place.
- Declare larger quantities of liquids. There may be exemptions for certain items such as medications, baby formula, breast milk, and certain foods. You can declare these items but should know that officers may need to conduct additional screening which can take longer.
Tips
- Check the TSA website frequently for a list of what you can and can't bring.
- Don't expect to be compensated for lost items. If the item is valuable, make sure it is insured in case of loss.
- Arrive at the airport and check through security early enough to ensure time to repack or mail belongings that security may have issue with.
- Use common sense and do not carry anything that is obviously illegal or intended for use as a weapon or a fire starter (including matches).
- If you feel faint or ill during the bustle of the screening process, let somebody know immediately. Deep breathing is a big asset in times of stress and long waits.
- If in doubt, leave it, mail it, or pack it in your cargo baggage.
- It is okay to carry AA & AAA batteries on board.
- If you are travelling with a child (or even yourself!) it may be a good idea to bring gum or chewy sweets for when you are going for lift off because of ear popping.
Warnings
- Never make a joke about having prohibited items. Airport security is required to take such statements seriously.
- You are responsible for what's in your bags, so keep an eye on your belongings at all times and know what's inside of them. Keep an eye on children's packing and make sure you know what they have packed.
- Avoid making any jokes about guns, bombs, terrorism, weapons, knives, stabbings, murders, suffocation, crime, illegal/illicit conduct, inefficiency of TSA, or anything else that could be taken as a threat.
- Airport security views safety issues very seriously and will not tolerate people behaving badly. Try to be patient and understanding and don't argue, make a fuss, or throw a temper tantrum.
Related Articles
- Check in at the Airport
- Handle Long Layovers at an Airport
- Change Planes for a Connecting Flight
- Be Comfortable on a Long Airplane Trip
- Track a Flight in Progress
- Travel Light With Scuba Gear
Sources and Citations
- Permitted & Prohibited Items - Transportation Security Administration (USA)
- IATA - for any security-related news stories and some passenger information; international.
