If you have a discounted airline ticket for spring
travel, the TSA wants to make your journey through airline checkpoints a
pleasant one. Lines can be long at the terminal due to spring break travelers
and people taking vacations before temperatures begin soaring. With some
preparation, airline travelers will breeze through checkpoints at the airport.
Some people begin packing immediately after purchasing their discounted airline tickets. If a bag will be checked, packing liquids in that luggage will make things much easier. Travelers with only a carryon bag should remember the 3-1-1 rule for liquids. Each passenger may take as many 3.4-ounce containers as will fit into one quart-sized, clear, zip-top bag. This bag should be removed before the carryon is passed through the X-ray machine.
Baseball bats, tennis rackets, golf clubs, hockey sticks, spear guns, and SCUBA knives may not be carried onto a plane but they may be checked as luggage. Beer, wine, liquor and other beverages may be packed in checked baggage. The 3-1-1 rule does not apply to sun block sticks so travelers can stash one in their carryon for quick suntanning between flights.
Travelers with questions about whether an item is prohibited should use the MyTSA mobile Web and iPhone app to find the answer. This app also includes a wait time feature so travelers can see how long they will be holding their cheap airline tickets before boarding the plane. The app is based on crowd sourcing so everyone is encouraged to use it.
Even less pleasant than waiting forever to reach a checkpoint is the pat-down that may follow. Emptying pockets and putting those items into the carryon before reaching the screener reduces the chance of needing a pat-down. Click here to find great prices on airline tickets and begin packing like a pro for your vacation.
