Expert: Roberto Gomes - 6/25/2008

Question
I'M TAKING MY SON ON A PLANE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2 DAYS. wHAT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME ALLOTMENT TO ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT, 3 HOURS AHEAD OF DEPARTURE OR MORE? cOULD YOU EXPLAIN THE FULL PROCEDURE FOR SECURITY CHECKS TO ME AND WHAT TYPE AF ARTICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED.

Answer
Dear Monica,

Since you did not state the origin and destination of your flight and if there is a connection involved, I am assuming a domestic trip in the US from city A to city B.


TIPS Before you reach the airport

Please allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security - especially when traveling with younger children.
Call your airline or travel agent for their recommended check-in times for your departure airport.
If available with the airline of your choice, check-in and print your boarding passes at home.
Talk to your children before you come to the airport and let them know that it's against the law to make threats such as, "I have a bomb in my bag."  Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can delay the entire family and could result in fines.

TIPS At the airport

Speak to your children again about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs or explosives.
Tell your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them.
Let your children know that a Security Officer may ask to see their shoes, but that they will get these back as well.
You may want to consider asking for a private screening if you are traveling with more than one child.

The Screening Process

All carry-on baggage, including children's bags and items, must go through the X-ray machine.  Examples include: diaper bags, blankets, and toys.
All child-related equipment that will fit through the X-ray machine must go through the X-ray machine.  Examples include: strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings.
When you arrive at the checkpoint, collapse or fold your child-related equipment.  Secure items that are in the pockets, baskets, or attached to the equipment and place it on the X-ray belt for inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit such items.
If any of your child-related equipment does not fit through the X-ray machine, security officers will visually and physically inspect it.
Ask a Security Officer for help gathering your bags and child-related equipment, if you need it.

The Walk-Through Metal Detector

If your child can walk without your assistance, we recommend that you and your child walk through the metal detector separately.  If you are carrying your child through the metal detector and the alarm sounds, our Security Officer will have to additionally screen both you and your child.

Remove babies and children from their strollers or infant carriers so that our Security Officers can screen them individually.
You may not pass the child to another person behind you or in front of you during this process.
Do not pass your child to our Security Officer to hold.
Our Security Officer may ask for your help screening your child.

Liquids - TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.

With certain exceptions for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, baby formula, breast milk, and juice, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, the following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and aerosols you want to carry through a security checkpoint.

All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.

All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.

Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

Please keep in mind that these rules were developed after extensive research and understanding of current threats. They are intended to help air travelers bring essential toiletries and other liquids, gels and aerosols for short trips. If you need larger amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols such as toothpaste or shampoo, please place them in your luggage and check them with your airline.

To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of the following liquids, gels and aerosols are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer in front of the checkpoint):

Baby formula, breast milk, and juice if a baby or small child is traveling;
All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Frozen gels/liquids are permitted if required to cool medical and infant/child exemptions. Frozen gels/liquids for any other purpose are not permitted.
You are allowed reasonable amounts over 3 ounces of the items above in your carry-on baggage, but you will need to perform the following:

Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.
We have also taken steps to ensure the security boarding areas after you pass through our security checkpoints. Therefore, any liquid, gel, or aerosol purchased (such as coffee or soda) in the secure area after you process through a security checkpoint is allowed aboard your plane.

Permitted and Prohibited Items

Since the text is too long please take a look on the following link:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.sht...

Hope this helps. Please rate this answer.
Best Regards,
R. Gomes