Whether you’re headed to Cancun for a crazy time or visiting a friend studying abroad during spring break, there’s a good chance you’ll be traveling on an airplane. This means that you need to be aware of the new (and old) airport security measures, especially in light of recent terrorist attacks that have occurred [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/us/politics/w28talk.html]. Since we know you might not have the time to do all the research for your trip beforehand, here HC gives you the pertinent info on airport security so that your spring break flights go as smoothly as possible—no hold-ups necessary!
What can you bring on the plane?
Packing is not the best part of traveling by any means. But even though we may not enjoy it, we still have to be careful about what we bring in our luggage and especially our carry-ons. Here are a few basic facts about what you can and can’t bring in your luggage or carry-ons: Any liquids or creams in carry-ons must be 3.4 ounces or less and they must be put in a Ziploc plastic bag. Only one bag is allowed per passenger. For example, you could squeeze your ChapStick/lip gloss, a small (less than 3.4 ounces) bottle of perfume and a small lotion into the bag. A tube of concealer is better off in your checked baggage.
- No lighters, razors (in case you would want to get in a shave before you hit the beach!), or candles of any sort in your carry-ons (they are allowed in your checked suitcase).
- If you are traveling with a laptop, make sure that your case has no metal snaps or zippers on the top of the laptop. Also, take any ensembles or seals off your laptop (we all know that girls can get a little decorative when it comes to our computers sometimes!).
- If you want more in depth information regarding what you can and can’t bring on the plane, visit the TSA’s website [http://www.tsa.gov/index.shtm].
Some more important info about airport security…
Since the recent terrorist attacks, it is suggested that you get to the airport THREE hours before your flight if you are traveling internationally. So for those of you who are headed overseas, be sure to leave as much time as possible for your commute to the airport. When it comes to domestic flights, you should still leave yourself between one-and-a-half to two hours to reach the airport (just in case something were to go wrong). You should also remember to weigh your luggage before you get to the airport to avoid excess fees. So get that scale out while you’re packing and weigh those suitcases! It varies from airline to airline regarding how many pieces of luggage you can bring (without getting charged) and how much they can weigh. However, the majority of airlines do allow your luggage to weigh a maximum of 50 pounds before charging you. Also remember that you have to take your shoes off when you go through security. So if you don’t want to put your bare feet on the airport floor, don’t wear shoes without socks as you never know what could be on that floor! You probably don’t want to wear any kind of intense lace-up gladiator sandals either though, unless you want the whole security line groaning at you… Reminder: before you go through security, remember to take off ALL your pieces of jewelry. Some airports now have a full body X-ray screening that you walk through, after you’ve already taken your shoes, belt, jewelry, coats and bags off, and metal can set it off.
Do we feel safer?
Rachael Palmisano, a sophomore at Boston University, is flying to London in a few weeks. She said that she feels “safer and more alert due to the heightened security which makes [her] feel more confident about flying abroad.” These security measures are intended to do exactly that—ensure the safety of all flyers. So remember that these are all necessary precautions that must be taken in order to keep us safe and bring us closer to our spring break hot spots in one piece!
Nervous about flying? Here are some ways to calm pre-flight jitters!
There’s no denying that a lot of us get a little nervous before we take off in an airplane! So here a few tips on how to calm your nerves before you step on board:
- Make sure to wear comfortable clothes! You want to be as relaxed as possible when taking off.
- Bring a favorite book or magazine and try to focus on that during takeoff.
- Drink tea or maybe even a small glass of wine during your flight to try and relax yourself.
- Try to take a nap (many flights provide pillows and blankets now!) during the flight to take your mind off any fears you may be having.
For all of you ladies who are flying for spring break, have a fantastic time, but please remember to be aware of these new security measures, so your travel experience will be hassle- and stress-free!
Sources:
Laura Smith, New York University ‘11
Heather Rinder, Syracuse University ‘12
Rachael Palmisano, Boston University ‘11
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/us/politics/w28talk.html http://www.tsa.gov/index.shtm