Title: 
Surviving The Security Checkpoint At The Airport

Word Count:
878

Summary:
It is a fact of life that we have to be screened by security before boarding our flight.  It can be easy or you can make it difficult.  If you properly prepare, clearing security is a breeze.


Keywords:
security, metal, items, check, allowed, carry-on, film, passengers, permitted, prohibited, items allowed, tsa web site, detector


Article Body:
Here are some tips to get through the security checkpoint at the airport.  Follow these and you will get through security and to your plane on time.
    * Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. A boarding pass and valid government photo ID are required to enter the security checkpoint. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.  For international flights, you should arrive approximately three hours before your flight.
    * Do not wrap gifts. If security needs to inspect a package, he may un-wrap your gift. Please wait to wrap gifts until you're at your destination.
    * Pets. Please remove all animals from their carrying cases and send the case through the X-ray machine. Hold your pet in your arms and proceed through the metal detector.
    * Children. Please take your infants and children out of baby carriers and strollers and take them through the metal detector with you. Strollers and baby carriers go through the X-ray machine with your bags. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector.
    * Dress the part. Metal in your clothing may set off the screening machines. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Remember that all shoes must be removed and placed in bins. Passengers also need to remove winter coats, blazers, suit coats and bulky sweaters.
    * Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. Declare film that is faster than 800 speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid being x-rayed.
    * When in doubt, leave it out. Bringing prohibited items to the airport will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. If you're not sure which items are allowed, check The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) web site for a complete list of permitted and prohibited items.
    * Think before you speak. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. They will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

Make sure you stop by the TSA web site to get the most current information.  The list of prohibited and permitted items changes periodically and what may have been legal yesterday may be forbidden today.  Also, check to see what is allowed in your carry-on and what is permitted in your checked baggage.  Some items are allowed in one but not the other.

The security guards are there to protect you and the other passengers and anything you can do to make their job easier and speed up the process will be appreciated by everyone.Here are some tips to get through the security checkpoint at the airport.  Follow these and you will get through security and to your plane on time.
    * Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. A boarding pass and valid government photo ID are required to enter the security checkpoint. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.  For international flights, you should arrive approximately three hours before your flight.
    * Do not wrap gifts. If security needs to inspect a package, he may un-wrap your gift. Please wait to wrap gifts until you're at your destination.
    * Pets. Please remove all animals from their carrying cases and send the case through the X-ray machine. Hold your pet in your arms and proceed through the metal detector.
    * Children. Please take your infants and children out of baby carriers and strollers and take them through the metal detector with you. Strollers and baby carriers go through the X-ray machine with your bags. If possible, collapse your stroller before you get to the metal detector.
    * Dress the part. Metal in your clothing may set off the screening machines. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Remember that all shoes must be removed and placed in bins. Passengers also need to remove winter coats, blazers, suit coats and bulky sweaters.
    * Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. Declare film that is faster than 800 speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid being x-rayed.
    * When in doubt, leave it out. Bringing prohibited items to the airport will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. If you're not sure which items are allowed, check The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) web site for a complete list of permitted and prohibited items.
    * Think before you speak. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. They will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

Make sure you stop by the TSA web site to get the most current information.  The list of prohibited and permitted items changes periodically and what may have been legal yesterday may be forbidden today.  Also, check to see what is allowed in your carry-on and what is permitted in your checked baggage.  Some items are allowed in one but not the other.

The security guards are there to protect you and the other passengers and anything you can do to make their job easier and speed up the process will be appreciated by everyone.