Thanksgiving Air Travel | Things You Should Know Before You Fly
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Traveling Home for the Holidays
The most important thing is to check with your airline when you make your reservation and again, right before you fly, to check for hidden fees and new rules of what can go onboard with you, and what needs to go in the luggage compartment.
Make sure you double check everything, because things are changing rapidly in airline travel.
Note to the reader: This article was written with the U.S. traveler in mind, but many of the rules and regulations apply internationally. As the rules do change often, please check with your travel agent or airline immediately before flying.

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What You Can Bring Onboard the Airplane
from the Transportation Security Administration
Click here for an image of what you can bring onboard (Takes a minute to load)
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels, and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines (see details below).
Please keep in mind that these rules were developed after extensive research and understanding of current threats. They are intended to help air travelers bring essential toiletries and other liquids, gels and aerosols for short trips. If you need larger amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols such as toothpaste or shampoo, please place them in your luggage and check them with your airline.
To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, greater than 3 ounces of the following liquids, gels and aerosols are permitted through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer in front of the checkpoint):
Baby formula, breast milk, and juice for infants and toddlers.
All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including petroleum jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
Frozen gels/liquids are permitted if required to cool medical and infant/child exemptions. Frozen gels/liquids for any other purpose are not permitted.
You are allowed reasonable amounts over 3 ounces of the items above in your carry-on baggage, but you will need to perform the following:
Separate these items from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
Declare you have the items to one of our Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.
We have also taken steps to ensure the security of the boarding areas after you pass through our security checkpoints. Therefore, any liquid, gel or aerosol, such as coffee or soda, purchased in the secure area beyond the security checkpoint is allowed aboard your plane. Please note that if you have a layover and are re-screened at your connecting airport the current rules (see above) for carry-ons apply.
You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids.
Airline Carry On Bag Policy
from Continental but most airlines have similar rules
(special rules apply to those countries)
1 bag and 1 personal item (see description below)
For travel on or after Nov 1, 2008 - 45 linear inches or 115 cm (L + W + H)
40 lbs or 18 kg
In addition to the one carry-on item, you may bring free-of-charge the below items:
one small personal article such as a briefcase, purse, day planner, small laptop computer, camera case, compact disk player or similar sized personal entertainment item
personal aid devices such as wheelchairs, braces, canes, crutches, prosthetic devices and walking sticks, provided passenger is dependent on them
one infant article such as a small collapsible stroller, a diaper bag or a government approved child seat (larger strollers can be checked in the jetway prior to boarding the aircraft)
full-size video game consoles (for example Playstation®, X-box®, or Nintendo®), full-size DVD players, and video cameras that use video cassettes (must be removed from carrying cases and submitted separately for x-ray screening)
CPAP breathing machines (must be removed from carrying case and submitted separately for x-ray screening)
Small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.
Note: Most knives are not allowed past the security checkpoint (including, but not limited to, pocket knives, folding or retractable blades regardless of blade length or composition, box cutters, X-Acto knives, scissors with a pointed tip, straight razors, Leatherman or Swiss Army Knives). Plastic and round-bladed butter knives are permitted in carry-on baggage.
Wrapped Packages | Gifts on Airlines
Keep gifts unwrapped for air travel
To reduce delays at the airport security checkpoint travel with your packages unwrapped. This will allow for easy inspection, if necessary.
Traveler's Passport Tips
The Smart Traveler's Passport: 399 Tips from Seasoned Travelers
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Laptop Computers on Airplanes
What are the rules?
A designated laptop-only section
The laptop-only section completely unfolds to lay flat on the X-ray belt
No metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section
No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
Nothing packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.
For details of checkpoint friendly designs and guidance on use, go to TSA.
What is your airplane experience?
Do You Like to Travel by Air?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byI Love Flying!
Mazzer says:
Once check in is over I relax, enjoy and think of the destination. I love it (although maybe a little more on the outward journey than when returning from vacation)!
Posted November 17, 2008
ArtByLinda says:
I love it but can't often afford the vacations I like to fly to, like Jamaica!
Posted November 16, 2008
chefkeem says:
I love to fly, but the service has become so bad that it's been a hassle, lately.
Posted November 16, 2008
No Way! My Favorite Method of Traveling is . . .
WhitU4ever says:
I prefer to travel by car. I need to be in charge of the wheel. ;-)
Posted November 22, 2008
susannaduffy says:
I fly when there is no other way. I much prefer a train.
Posted November 20, 2008
BFuniv.com says:
I prefer driving if my destination is within a few thousand miles. I allow plenty of time for side trips and discovering interesting novelties. Traveling by car with friends or family is a big plus.
Posted November 19, 2008
KimGiancaterino says:
I used to love to fly, but dread it any more. We travel by car whenever possible. It's a lot more flexible and I can be a messy packer!
Posted November 18, 2008
Evelyn_Saenz says:
I'd rather travel by train but it's too expensive so I fly.
Posted November 17, 2008
Jewelsofawe says:
I would rather be on the ground, but I have flown many times
Posted November 16, 2008
Checked Baggage on Airlines
from Continental but most airlines have similar rules
For customers who purchased tickets on or after Sept. 6, 2008 for travel on or after Oct. 7, 2008
First Checked bag - $15
Second Checked bag - $25
Each bag at a maximum 50 lbs (23 kg) and 62 linear inches (157 cm) (total length + width + height)
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Tips for Checking Your Baggage in for a Flight
Place your name and address on the outside of your baggage. Nametags are available at all airport baggage check-in locations. I also recommend that you place your name and address on the inside of the bag.
Be sure to inform airline staff of your final destination if you are connecting so that your baggage will be checked to your final destination.
Claim your baggage immediately upon arrival at your destination.
Be aware of what items are restricted to be in checked baggage. If you are not sure, review the list of items permitted and prohibited shown on the Transportation Security Administration Website.
Allow enough time for your checked baggage to be accepted. See the guidelines below:
Flights within the 50 U.S. except the following destinations: Atlanta, GA, Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA and Tampa, FL. Customers must complete baggage check-in at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
Flights at the following U.S. destinations: Atlanta, GA, Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia, PA and Tampa, FL. Customers must complete baggage check-in at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
International Flights to and from the U.S. Customers must complete baggage check-in at least 60 minutes prior to scheduled departure.
No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~Lin Yutang
How Your Baggage Travels
What happens to the bag while you are separated
In large airports, automated scanners read the code on the bag tag and direct the bag to the correct loading area. Your bag will go through a series of conveyor belts, chutes, and other mechanisms before reaching the point where it is loaded into a cart and taken out to the aircraft.
Tip: Please remove any straps, hangers, and protruding objects from your bag before checking it. These may get caught in the baggage system and cause damage to your bag. Bags that are bulging or are not sufficiently constructed to support the weight inside may split during the trip through the bag belt system.
All checked baggage is screened by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Refrain from locking your checked baggage or use a TSA Accepted & Recognized Lock. TSA is mandated by Federal law to screen 100% of checked baggage.
If your baggage alarms and TSA cannot gain access to your checked bag, unrecognized locks may be broken. TSA will not reimburse passengers for unrecognized locks broken as a result of the security screening process.
The baggage is loaded in the cargo compartment of the aircraft, usually using another conveyor belt. Due to the amount of space in the compartment, bags may have to be placed flat and stacked on top of each other. Although the baggage compartments are secured with nets or straps, bags can shift during flight due to the plane's angle during take-off.
Tip: As this is the standard or normal way all bags are transported, breakage or damage to fragile items may be unavoidable. Do not pack fragile items inside your checked baggage.
An Easy to Carry Toiletry Kit for Travelers
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Have You Traveled by Air Recently? Any Feedback to Help Others?
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- TheFishCatcher TheFishCatcher Mar 15, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
- Love to fly and great info here. Just don't like to fly on holidays, it's simply too crazy.
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- ChristiannaGarrett-Martin ChristiannaGarrett-Martin Nov 25, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
- Great lens thanks! :) with some very useful tips.
Christianna
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- WhitU4ever WhitU4ever Nov 22, 2008 @ 8:22 am
- It's so interesting to read what is and is not allowed on planes, how they can be carried, and what can actually be checked in. I honestly thought the rules were tougher than they are.
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- susannaduffy susannaduffy Nov 20, 2008 @ 6:46 pm
- Interesting, seeing the differences between countries ..
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- aquariann aquariann Nov 19, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
- Very informative lens! Unfortunately, I couldn't vote in your poll because it didn't have the option that I'm already home for the holidays! I don't envy anyone that has to travel for the holidays. In college, I did take a plane home for winter break and spent a lot of time in airports. I haven't been on a plane for a couple of years ... they really charge extra for all checked baggage now? Ah well, when I go on vacation I try not to check baggage anyway - so much less stress. :D
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- kiwisoutback kiwisoutback Nov 19, 2008 @ 1:44 pm
- Great work! Very useful for the upcoming holidays.
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- BFuniv.com BFuniv.com Nov 19, 2008 @ 11:36 am
- The word travel comes from an older word, travail. While you have been generous to the security folks - I find airport security is mostly security theater. The script calls for being overtly authoritative, conspicuous, and active rather than providing a safer environment for travel. But, as you know, I'm easily annoyed by arrogant and ineffective bureaucracies.
Thanks for the hints and resources, I really do appreciate them. I'll refer to this page before my next air travail.
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Nov 18, 2008 @ 11:01 am
- Nice job! Welcome to All Things Travel.
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- WendyKrick WendyKrick Nov 17, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
- Excellent information for people who are getting ready to travel. 5 stars!
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- Evelyn_Saenz Evelyn_Saenz Nov 17, 2008 @ 10:51 am
- Thanks for the info.
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- ArtByLinda ArtByLinda Nov 16, 2008 @ 2:18 pm
- This is a great tool for vacationers to check back on before they travel, very nicels presented. I love the posters! Linda
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- JustBon-Crochet-Designs JustBon-Crochet-Designs Nov 16, 2008 @ 11:05 am
- Very useful traveler's lens!
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- CleanerLife CleanerLife Nov 16, 2008 @ 12:25 am
- I was away from home when they first started the ban on liquids being brought on airplanes. We did get ample warning, but I'll never forget the trashcans at the airports filled with cremes, gels and what-not. Such a waste. At least we now have a very clearly defined policy.
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