I haven’t flown in the post 9/11 world. I have to take a domestic flight, and I don’t know the rules anymore. Tell me everything I need to know. How early should I arrive prior to my flight to get through security? What is permissible as carry-on luggage (size, quantity, etc.)? What, if anything, can I keep at my feet (or under the seat), like a backpack, perhaps?
Now, what about electronics? What can or cannot be used during take-offs/landings and/or during the main part of the flight itself.
Oh, if I must catch a connecting flight, do some airports make you go through security again? How much time should I allow to make the connecting flight?
(Mostlikely, it will be the same airline, but with their sister airline that handles the puddle-jumpers.)
In general, is this info posted anywhere? Does it vary from airline to airline, flight to flight? (What if my connecting flight is a puddle-jumper? Does that change what I can carry onboard?) What more should I know?
Extra credit: Has anyone traveled with a tube of engineering drawings? How much of a pain is this going to prove to be regarding all aspects of bringing onboard with me on my flight???
This really depends on the airport and the day/time of your flight. Before 9/11 about 1 hour before your flight (domestic) was fine. Today, to be safe I would show up at 1.5 hours before. If you are leaving through a large, busy airport on a busy day, 2 hours would probably be a good bet. If you can print out your tickets online beforehand, you can shave some time off by not having to go to the front counter. You can check in your luggage curbside or with some airlines, via a kiosk.
Carry-on luggage dimensions have pretty much remained the same as pre 9/11. The only real restriction now is that while before you were allowed two pieces of carry-on luggage, TSA in some places state that they only allow 1. That being said, I always bring along an extra backpack with my electronic stuff/snacks/books and have never had a problem with it!
They will ask you to turn off all portable electronic deices upon pushback from the gate and until the plane reaches cruising. When you are allowed to use them again they will notify you via a video or a PA. They will ask you to turn them off again sometime prior to the descent for landing. Laptops, PDAs, gameboys, etc are OK to use during the permitted period. Anything that can transmit a signal (cell phone, transceiver) will not be allowed. I like to use a GPS to track the progress of the flight, I have only had 1 flight attendant ask me to put it away.
No, once you are “airside”, you dont have to pass through security again. Be careful at some airports though, if you go to a food court or a shop between a flight you could find yourself out of the “airside” part of the terminal with no warning and have to go through security again. At some airports there will not be any indication that this happened until you try to go back to your gate. It’s usually not a problem though.
Most of what you need to know security-wise will be posted by the TSA on a big sign right in front of the security line. They will probably have a neat display showing confiscated contra-band items as well Carry-on allowances are usually at the discretion of the airline regarding size and number, but any TSA rule will trump the airline rule.
If you bring the drawings as carry-on, you’ll have to run it through the x-ray machine like anything else. A tube with paper will not likely even raise an eyebrow. They are looking for things that can be used as a weapon.
Basically, the security is a bit more stringent than what you were used to pre-9/11. Give yourself more time to get through it and you’ll likely be fine. You will have to do things you didn’t experience before, like removing your shoes. There is a possibility that you will be randomly selected for a more thorough check as well. if this happens they’ll pull you aside to a table and go through all of yor stuff in more detail and ask you questions.
The shoe thing is weird. I’ve flown at times when I got the impression that one should take off one’s shoes if one thought there might be metal in them. I’ve flown at times when I got the impression that shoe removal was optional–but people not removing their shoes were much more likely to be picked for additional screening. I’ve flown at times when I got the impression that everyone was required to remove their shoes. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a sign advising removal of shoes-- though I’ve seen signs advising the removal of coats, and of removing laptops from bags. My mother complains that they seldom (read never) provide seating for the replacement of shoes, so be prepared.
In other words, be prepared to remove your shoes.
Also, it may be obvious, but I didn’t see any mention of the fact that persons not having boarding passes are not permitted past security. (I know a couple of people who have been surprised by this recently, so I thought I’d point it out).
The other comment about puddle jumpers and carry-ons is that if you are flying on a small plane, the flight attendents may convert your carry on luggage into “special” checked luggage at the plane. (It has a name, but I don’t remember it offhand). If they do so, you will not have access in flight, but will probably be able to claim the luggage when you get off the plane. However, I heard of someone who checked luggage planeside who found out when he or she got to the destination that the planeside checked luggage was taken to baggage claim with the regular checked luggage.
Check with the airline’s website on how many pieces of carry-on luggage and checked luggage you can bring. I’ve typically seen for carry-ons one bag and one “personal item,” defined as a purse, laptop in case, briefcase, umbrella, that sort of thing. What you can put under the seat is what will fit, so most backpacks that aren’t gigantic ought to be able to. There are also size limits for carry-on items - some flights/airlines don’t seem to check that you meet standards, some do. I also saw United, the last time I flew with them (August) weighing large checked bags and adding a small surcharge for bags weighing over 40 lbs or so - I think that was due to rising fuel costs.
As for what to remove when going through security, read the signs as you approach security and listen to the security screeners’ announcements. What you will be required to remove can vary between airports. I typically just go ahead and remove anything metal (including belt), shoes, coat, and place them all in a bin to get x-rayed. Carry only your ID and your boarding pass with you as you step through the metal detector gate, and wait for the security screener to motion you through before you step through. He or she may ask to see your ID and pass again. You won’t need to show ID at the gate, just your boarding pass.
If you bring a laptop along, when you get to security, take it out of its case and put it in a plastic bin by itself, then place both it and the case on the conveyor to the x-ray machine. No need to turn on the laptop for confirmation unless they request it, and I haven’t seen that in a long time.
It’s important to listen - I saw one couple ignore the “remove shoes, remove coats” repeated announcements (this had been announced at least 5 times while we were waiting in line) and get pulled aside for extra screening. Probably security figured if they were that clueless, they might well be screwing up on what they’re bringing on board.
Cell phones are allowed for use again once the plane touches down and the flight attendant begins speaking over the intercom - part of their “welcome to ____” speech will include that. Anything else electronic has to stay off until they’re parked at the gate.
The shoe removal criterion is mysterious. I thought that the “shoe bomber” was wearing sneakers. Yet I’ve seen sneaker-wearers waltz right through security, while I was asked to remove my SANDALS. I was told it had to do with the thickness of the soles.
The shoe bomber had, IIRC, hollowed out portions of thick heels on the sneakers and stuffed explosive material into them. Some sneakers have extremely thick soles/heel portions.
If my experience is anything to go by, they virtually never do. It unbelievable the size of suitcase that some people seem to think is appropriate carry-on.
Here’s a clue: if your case is too wide to wheel down the aisle, it’s too fucking big to be carry-on.
Don’t bring a gun, a knife (hunting, pocket, kitchen or otherwise), nail clippers, cigarette lighters, thermonuclear weapons or sulfuric acid throwing machines. You’d think that goes without saying, but you wouldn’t believe the things I’ve seen confiscated.
I once saw a guy bring a hunting knife about 8" long and a backpack full of fireworks to security. He couldn’t believe that he couldn’t bring them on board. Some people must live in caves.
OTOH, there were some really flummox security agents the time they saw my tatting shuttle on the x-ray in my carry-ons. Yes, I was allowed to carry it through once they saw what it actually was. Thereafter I carried it in a clear plastic bag that I put through separately. With the thread.
Bring some snacky stuff. From what I’ve been reading, you’re lucky to get a pack of peanuts on a domestic flight these days. Pack some cheese & crackers, fresh fruit, whatever you like, and you won’t have to pay outrageous prices for a bag of stale pretzels.
Carry-on allowances are usually at the discretion of the airline regarding size and number, but any TSA rule will trump the airline rule.
I was told it had to do with the thickness of the soles.