This article gives hints on how to pack your carry-on luggage and checked luggage when flying. It also gives some basic advice on how to get through security checks at airports without delays.
Carry-on luggage generally presents the most problems. Make sure that you only have two bags per person. One bag should be sized to fit easily into an overhead compartment on your plane; the other bag can be a briefcase, a purse, or a bag of a similar size to be placed underneath the seat in front of you. The list of items that you can not pack in your carry-on bags is much longer than the list of items that are allowed. Among the many things that you can not bring onboard a plane are hammers, screwdrivers, scissors, mace, guns, ammunition, and pepper spray. You may not pack martial arts weapons, brass knuckles, wrenches, pliers, or crow bars. The only knives that are allowed onboard are plastic knives or butter knives. You can pack nail clippers, nail files, tweezers, disposable razors, corkscrews, and eyelash curlers, and if you are diabetic, you may carry on properly labeled syringes. If you are bringing gifts, plan on wrapping them at your destination, as they are liable for inspection. You are allowed to take aboard walking canes and umbrellas after they have been inspected. You may no longer carry on ski poles, golf clubs, or pool cues. If you have any questions at all about what you can carry on in your baggage, check before you leave for the airport. Be ready for a random search regardless of how carefully you have packed.
The most common items that are confiscated are scissors, pocketknives, and mace. Security will not reimburse you for confiscated items. In addition, you may be liable for any civil or criminal charges for trying to carry these or any other prohibited items onto an airplane.
Packing your checked bags is a little easier. Remember that you can only lock your bags with Transportation Security Administration approved locks. Since these locks can still be opened, plan to take any valuables with you in your carry-ons. Many of the items that you can not carry on are allowed to be in your checked-in luggage. For example, firearms can be packed in your baggage just as long as the firearms are unloaded and you notify the airline at the ticket counter of their presence. There will always be some items that are not allowed at all, including gunpowder and tear gas. Again, if you have any questions, call before you pack and leave for the airport. Do not wrap any gifts as they might need to be inspected, just like with your gifts in carry-on luggage. Do not be surprised if you find that your bags have been hand searched, as x-rays might not indicate clearly what is packed in your luggage.
There are some other things to keep in mind when going through security. First, have your driver's license or a photo I.D. and tickets easily available as they will be checked several times before you board your airplane. Be prepared to remove belts with heavy metal buckles, and keys and change in your pockets before going through security. Security personnel will return these items to you after you pass inspection. You may be asked to remove your shoes and run them through the x-ray equipment with your carry-ons. Follow any instructions that you are given.
Finally, if Security chooses you for a random search or confiscates something from you, do not argue with them. Do not joke about carrying bombs, guns, or any items that may cause harm to a fellow passenger. Be polite. Security Personnel are trying to protect you. They are serious about their jobs. Use your common sense.
