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Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

WithThisRing Posted:

Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

When traveling, to ensure a safe and quick check in here are some tips FI told me. He is a baggage screener in terminal 8 at JFK

- have your boarding pass and ID ready at all times
- when packing your non carry on, try not to over pack it. Over packing it will make it look suspicious.
- DO NOT LOCK your luggage. I repeat, DO NOT LOCK your luggage. The lock will be clipped and your bag will be searched
- Shoes. When you wear big chunky shoes there is metal in the heal and in the base of the shoe for support. Wear sneakers or shoes that do not have metal in them
- pack your shampoo, conditioner, etc... in a clear zip lock bag
- If you have any questions direct to the ticket counters. The TSA people can not answer any questions. Always go to your ticket counter for any questions or concerns
-domestic flights arrive 2 hours prior to depature and international 3 hours prior to depature
-DO NOT BRING ON THE PLANE: nail filers, sewing kits, knitting needles, pocket knife, and any sharp objects. They will be confiscated.

If you have any questions about what to and what not to bring on a plane send me an FM and I can double check it with FI

edited for spelling mistake
jennbaby Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Thanks Melissa this is very helpful. I'll be double checking with you in May for sure!
I haven't flown since 2 weeks after 9/11 & I wondered how security with baggage is now.
Ronnie&Theresa Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

When we were in Miami we got stopped and they went through EVERYTHING..

I had to take off my shoes and socks and my jacket..


I told the guy I did all the DRUGS I am not taking any back with me!
WithThisRing Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

T: ahhh he must of thought you were nuts. You cant joke with these people. They take everything extremely seriously.

Jenn: Security is really tight. I feel so much safer about flying because we may not see all the security, but FI tells me believe me they search everything. THey have a machine that can detect 1 billionith of an ounce of any chemical on anything.
Ronnie&Theresa Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Joke..

I had on a bikini top on under my denim jacket..

Once I took the jacket off he didnt' have much else to say....

I was like CAN I GO NOW!!!
jennbaby Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Melissa are there sky marshalls like they said there were?

cw0904 Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

When I was in Ecuador doing a city-to-city flight the dumb a$$ of the guard (they don't use regular employees to do security their security is the Army) he wanted to take my nail clipper set. I brought it in from the States and I was furious b/c he wanted to take it. I knew if I ****ed in to him he would take it and keep it for himself. So I *****ed and I showed him my passport that verified I came from the States. When I got to US customs at JFK, I had a similar problem. But they let it go and told me to never fly with the nail set again. It will be confiscated!
christine1221 Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

when we were traveling to Hawaii, it took us 2 1/2 hours to get from the counter to the gate. Check in was ok, but the security at the baggage screening was very tight. They stopped about every 3rd person to check individually. Luckily we were dressed well, had packed well & were wearing shoes that slipped on & off easily. I was wearing my bridal slippies already! Getting ready for the long flight!!

We locked our luggage & did not have any prob. I would have been upset if I couldn't lock mine, so I asked them at the counter. they said it was ok. American said that they would scan through the luggage without physically searching it ... unless they found something suspicious.

Its a good idea to keep these tips in mind, tho. It's great info! Once I got stopped b/c I had a wine opener in my purse that I'd forgotten was there! That took a good 15 - 20 min of scanning etc. I was embarrassed b/c I kept insisting it was nothing! WHOOOPS!!

MarcellaBella Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

I've flown several times since 9/11 and the only advice I can tell you is to give yourself plenty of time!! I mean, if you're flight is at 8, get there at 6! You'll need it! being that they check each and every person and that you could also be selected for random checking as well. you can't afford NOT to get there early.. FH and I always get there a couple of hours early and it's funny to see some people flip out because they decided to leave themselves little time..

Also, try and use the sky cab (sp?) check in, it'll save you soo much time...
CippyLoo Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Chipp, could you ask him about carry on bags, what are the restrictions? Can a woman carry a purse and a carry on, just one, how big or small?
And do they still let you bring garment bags on the plane? Everyone says something different so I'm confused.
Thanks very much!
WithThisRing Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

I think on international flights there are about 3 or 4 and domestic is 1 or 2. But they look like regular passengers. One will be in first class, another will be in the middle of the plane and 2 in the back. They will have on regular clothes, have boarding passes, luggage, etc...You will never be able to identify a sky marshall.

What I noticed on Jetblue is since all there planes are relatively new the doors to the pilots are steel doors that can only be opened from inside the pit.
Flight Attendents can not talk to the pilots until the plane has hit 10,000 feet.

Wanda: Yes they will take your nail clipper set. Any sharp objects will be confiscated. They actually throw it away.
ChristineC68 Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Thaks for the tips - we are flying to New Orleans on Friday so I printed this for DH since he is the packer of the house
WithThisRing Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Cippy: Yes a woman can take her pocket book and a carry on. I have with no problems. I will get back to you this afternoon about size, etc and restrictions for carry on. FI is sleeping (he worked till 1am) so as soon as I speak to him I will definatly post that info.

As for garment bags, each carrier may have there own restrictions on that so you may just want to check with the airlines for that. But if you have a hanger, nope its not allowed on the plane
Rob-luvs-me Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

I have flown 10 times since 9/11 and have never had any problems (except a guard on my flight in the fall to visit FH, she only pulled young women off and then made a big showing in front of the male guards of grabbing our chests to check our bras) it went far beyond what was appropriate or needed.
Other than that I have been asked to lock my bags when I checked them (they were taking them immediately and searching them right there if they were going to - if they searched them after that they were allowing them to lock the bags.
Security has been very tight though. What they are doing here they have been doing in some airports in europe for years. I'm glad to see that they are very careful
CippyLoo Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Thanks for the info
Rob-luvs-me Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Chippa my family always brings two garment bags for our formal wear and dresses for the cruise and we had no problem with them. They did have hangers and they didn't give us a second look

WithThisRing Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

OMG that guard is not suppose to do that. I hope the lady contacted this persons supervisor.

FI and I were flying to FL and a TSA person grabbed his stuff. When Brian got his TSA job he told his supervisor about his experience and the supervisor said there have been a lot of complaints about things like that.

If that ever happens to anyone, make sure you notice the guards name and badge number and report them immediatly. They are not allowed to physcially grab you in any way unless they feel you are a danger to yourself and those around you.
WithThisRing Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

Were they wire or plastic hangers? I've been told not to bring wire hangers because they can be used as a weapon. (Anything these days can be used as a weapon these days)

Its always better to be safe then sorry when standing in the airport and told sorry you cant bring that on the plane. So I use plastic hangers and only carry one books and magazines

Also, never get mad or talk back to the agents. You make there jobs miserable, they'll make you getting on your flight miserable.
Rob-luvs-me Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

They were the dry cleaner hangers they are the only size that fits into these business hanging bags. We use them for many trips and no one gives us a second glance

PS sent you FM chippa
LizD Posted:

Re: Some tips when traveling. FI is a baggage screener and told me this

When we flew back from London, they checked our shoes, all carry on as well. Another thing to watch out for, we had some books of matches and boxes of matches from various resturants, pub's, etc, they made us rip out all the matches. Also, I had 2 lighters in my purse, and I had to give one to Mark. They only allowed 1 per person.

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