How to Adapt to the ‘New Rules’ of Air Travel

The new, more restrictive — and more strictly enforced — security and carry-on rules for air travel in the United States (and for flights from and within the U.K. and Europe) are forcing air travelers to revise their packing habits and in-flight routines.

As many travelers discovered last week, the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) August 10 ban on beverages and liquid, cream, paste and gel products (including makeup, toiletry and food items) can be both inconvenient and costly.

Here’s what you can do to minimize the affects of the new rules on how you fly:

Monitor the rules to keep up with changes. Review the TSA’s list of banned carry-on items right up to the time you leave for the airport. It’s a given that everything is subject to change.

If you’re flying from or within the U.K., check the Department for Transport (DFT) rules. The DFT has eased up on the initial mandates. You can now fly with a small handbag and electronic equipment (laptop, DVD or MP3 player, etc.) tucked into one small, carry-on bag (approximately 17.7" × 13.7"× 6.2", including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.).

Don’t carry on liquid or gel food items. Forget those mini-containers of gelatinous food items such as Jello, puddings and yogurt. They’re banned now.

Compare the toiletries, makeup and related items on the banned list(s) to what you normally carry onboard. There are a surprising number of items that you can no longer take onboard (Aerosol products are already banned), including some (gel inserts for shoes, gel-filled teething rings and kids’ toys) you may never have considered. Uncertain about an item’s status? Leave it home or pack it in checked luggage.

Downsize your Dopp kit or makeup/toiletries bag(s). Now’s the perfect time to streamline their contents. Substitute or omit items that are too difficult or expensive to replace to minimize possible losses.

You can easily omit commonplace items now that some hotels (Omni and Wyndham, for example) are now offering more personal care items (such as contact lens solution, deodorant, toothpaste, women’s cosmetics and skincare products) for their guests’ use.

Replace liquid/gel over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and personal care products with non-liquid or non-gel alternatives. There are pill or caplet alternatives to liquid stomach ache, cold, flu and cough products.

You can use Listerine PocketPak breath strips instead of mouthwash and replace your gel hand sanitizer with antiseptic hand wipes. Instead of toothpaste, try pre-packaged teeth wipes (Oral B Brush-Ups). There's also a wide array of products, including fragrance, makeup and suntan lotions, available in towelettes.

Switch from OTC to prescription medication. If you regularly use OTC eye drops, nasal sprays and other liquid- or gel-based or gel-cap products (such as cough, cold or flu medicine), consult your doctor. You may want to switch to a prescription product if there is no liquid or gel alternative.

If you’re traveling with prescription medication: Keep meds in their original containers. (This can be a problem with some meds that come in a box or other packaging that you may have tossed away.) Don’t mix pills. Most important, make sure each item is labeled with your correct name. Check that your name is legible and matches your airline ticket and other identification.

Switch from contact lenses to eyeglasses. You can no longer carry eye drops or contact lens solutions so specs may be more comfortable, especially on long flights.

Group and pack items in clear plastic bags for easy hand screening. Place items, including electronic gadgets, in clear plastic bags so it’s easier and faster for security to see and search your luggage.

If possible, don’t pack all your makeup and toiletry items in one checked bag. Distribute between two or more bags. You’ll minimize loss since it’s unlikely that multiple bags will go astray.

Use a luggage shipping service for some, or all, of your bags. You’ll avoid long lines at the baggage claim area and you won’t have to worry about the airlines losing your luggage.

At the airport...

Allow extra time for security checks and check-in. Airlines are not holding flights for passengers. Miss your flight and you could face major delays and increased costs — airlines may not waive ticket change fees or require more expensive re-ticketing.

Eat and drink before you board your flight. Long waits can leave you dehydrated and/or hungry. You may want to fortify yourself just in case you have limited or no in-flight food/beverage options. You can snack and drink while you wait in line, however all unfinished beverages and food must be tossed before the security check. You can also purchase food and beverages in the boarding area and finish them before you get on your flight.

© Cheapflights Ltd Marlene R. Fedin

Comments

[pat albert]

It is time for our Government to allow "profiling". This is taking away the liberties of citizens. The bad guys are getting the "right", not the law-abiding people.