Tag Archives: airport security

Not the Way You Want to Start Your Vacation

“Hope for the Best. Expect the worst.” I think Mel Brooks helped make those words famous. Or maybe it was the person, who typed them up on small pieces of white paper, and stuck them into fortune cookies. Either way the idiom often becomes my mantra when traveling with children. I just survived a 10,000-mile journey to and from Hawaii with my young daughter, and yes, I hoped for the best, but expected the worst. Shockingly, things went fairly smoothly… unlike past trips. Despite two delayed flights and a few shoulder blows courtesy of the guy sitting behind me, who … Continue reading →

Good News for Laptop Lovers Taking Flight

I can’t count how many times I have been stuck behind an annoyed business traveler at an airport security checkpoint who spends precious minutes complaining to Transportation Security Administration agents about having to take his or her laptop out of its bag. I stand there (holding my carry-ons, my child and her backpack) staring at my watch contemplating how to politely tell my fellow flyer how much quicker we could all make it through the line if he would simply close his mouth and open his bag. It’s the rule. So deal with it and stop wasting other travelers’ time … Continue reading →

10-Year-Old Boy Talks His Way Onto Flight

It appears as though he has a promising career as a used car salesman, but he’ll have to get out of juvenile detention first. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen the security tapes myself. After all, with all the post 9/11 security measures in place at airports around the world it would seem next to impossible for anyone to get onto an airplane without a boarding pass… right? Apparently, not if you are 10-year-old Semaj Booker. According to police, the Seattle boy successfully talked his way onto not one, but two flights last year and a few … Continue reading →

Pierced Passenger’s Word of Warning

Frankly, I’m surprised this type of story hasn’t made headlines before. If you missed the news today then you probably haven’t heard about the Texas woman who is demanding an apology from airport security agents because they forced her to remove her nipple ring before she boarded her flight. “I wouldn’t wish this experience upon anyone,” Mandi Hamlin said at a news conference today. “My experience with TSA was a nightmare I had to endure. No one deserves to be treated this way.” Hamlin told reporters she was trying to board a flight from Lubbock to Dallas last month when … Continue reading →

Why You Shouldn’t Have Your Film Go Through Airport X-Ray Machines

In my previous blog I reminded you of the TSA’s rule, which prohibits travelers from packing unused rolls of film in checked luggage. The airport’s sophisticated, high intensity x-ray machines used to screen checked bags have been proven to destroy unused rolls of film. However, the TSA maintains film (both used and unused) can safely be screened in x-ray machines used for carry-on bags. But camera experts disagree. They recommend travelers have all their film hand inspected by airport security personnel. TSA agents are schooled to inform passengers that the x-rays used to screen carry-on bags will not damage or … Continue reading →

Family Lanes at Airport Screening Areas

I frequently make use of the family lanes offered at my local supermarket so when I heard the Transportation Security Administration was experimenting with screening lanes designed specifically for families with children I was anxious to learn more. Heck, as far as I am concerned any parent who has struggled with juggling multiple tots and totes while navigating airport security areas should be interested in the new program. According to TSA security officials, the idea for the family lanes is to ease the pressure on parents journeying through an airport with young children. In airports around the world parents with … Continue reading →

Carry-On Rules—-Let’s Review

Think you know everything you need to in regards to getting through airport security screening areas without a problem? Then you are in the minority. According to a new report by the Transportation Security Administration, a number of air travelers are still in the dark about certain restrictions. Given this I thought it might be a good time to offer this review: BATTERIES As I mentioned in a previous blog, on January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation implemented a new restriction on how batteries can be carried on planes. Passengers can no longer pack loose batteries (meaning those not … Continue reading →

Travel Tips to Help You Survive the Holiday Crush

If you are reading this blog as you wait for your delayed flight in New York, Chicago or Boston—I feel your pain. I was in your place almost a year ago to the day. If you are one of the lucky ones whose holiday travel plans won’t take you anywhere near an airport over the next two weeks count your blessings. The airport–or more specifically–airport security checkpoint lines are the last place any of us want to spend our precious vacation time. That said, my family lives in Hawaii, roughly 5,000 miles away from my current residence so I realize … Continue reading →

Land of the Confiscated Items

In previous blogs I’ve written about where lost pieces of airline luggage go when they are separated (sometimes permanently) from their owners. But, have you ever wondered where all those prohibited carry-on items go to rest after airport security screeners confiscate them? Would you believe New Hampshire? A good portion of the “suspicious items” collected at New England airports get sent to a warehouse in New Hampshire. Everything from baseball bats, screwdrivers and wrenches to rocks, razor blades and pocketknives. More than two tons of abandoned items have been collected in the last 10 months. According to the Transportation Security … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Good News For Sports-Loving and Turban Wearing Flyers

Flights on Denver-based Frontier Airlines may soon resemble the inside of a sports bar now that the Colorado Rockies have made it to the World Series. Airline officials just announced that they are negotiating with DirecTV for permission to show the World Series on its flights following the Rockies sweep of Arizona last night. Frontier Airlines currently offers satellite TV on flights, but its contract does not include Fox, so it is negotiating with DirecTV to get permission to show the World Series. To do so the airline also needs to make sure it has the rights to air live … Continue reading →