Expert: Roberto Gomes - 7/17/2004

Question
Hi, first time flying going to see cousin in san diego from harrisburg pa with a transfer in pittsburgh to and from,
can you offer any tips for the first timer, like me at the airport to make it smooth, i was concerned on a few things like, what do i do first at the airport?  Do i have to go thru screening twice at the connecting airport, is the carry on bag searced by hand, does your prescription medications need to be in a bottle from the pharmacy or can they be in a pill case?  Does having a passport help in any screening process within the states?  Thanks for any help

Marc

Answer
Dear Marc,

You will need to go over security checks again if your flight arrive at Gate E and your connecting flight departs from Gates A-D change airline in Pittsburgh . Please take a look at http://www.pitairport.com/AirportGuideServlet
to see the airside diagram.

Your carry-on items will be searched by a X-ray machine.
According to the Transportation Security Administrations (TSA) the following procedures applies to your pills:

- All medications in any form or type (for instance, pills, injectables, or homeopathic) and associated supplies (syringes, Sharps disposal container, pre-loaded syringes, jet injectors, pens, infusers, etc.) are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened.
- Medications should be labeled so they are identifiable.   
- Medications in daily dosage containers are allowed through the checkpoint once they been screened.
- Medication and related supplies are normally x-rayed.  

However, as a customer service, TSA now allows you the option of requesting a visual inspection of your medication and associated supplies.   

You must request a visual inspection before the screening process begins, otherwise you medications and supplies will undergo x-ray inspection.   

If you would like to take advantage of this option, please have you medication and associated supplies separated from your other property in a separate pouch/bag when you approach the screener at the walk-through metal detector.   
Request the visual inspection and hand your medication pouch/bag to the screener.In order to prevent contamination or damage to medication and associated supplies and/or fragile medical materials, you will be asked at the security checkpoint to display, handle, and repack your own medication and associated supplies during the visual inspection process.

Any medication and/or associated supplies that cannot be cleared visually must be submitted for x-ray screening.  If you refuse, you will not be permitted to carry your medications and related supplies into the sterile area.

As far as documentation is concern, you need to show a government-issued ID (federal, state, or local) or a passport. Each traveler must be prepared to show ID at the ticket counter and subsequent points, such as at the boarding gate, along with an airline-issued boarding pass.

Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
R. Gomes