A couple of years ago, I got an email from American inviting me to participate in a pilot program of some new expedited security system called “TSA Pre-check”. I was interested enough to read about it on the TSA website. It sounded very interesting, but I didn’t travel to any of the airports where it was available and declined to participate.

Over the last two years, I’ve followed the progress of TSA Pre-check. Frequent travelers from all over the country like it a lot, and I knew that when it was more widely available I would participate. Until recently, it still didn’t have a presence at any of the airports I frequented, so I wasn’t too concerned about it. Until a few weeks ago, when I flew to Nashville. I saw signs that it was going to be offered in my home airport and two others that I frequent often! I decided to apply immediately. Except that, as much as I searched, I couldn’t find the “application”. I looked all over the American Airlines website and the TSA website, but my Google-fu failed me. Finally I called American, and was told that unfortunately I wasn’t eligible anymore. However, I could participate in Pre-check if I participated in Global Entry.  BTW, in case you don’t know, the fee for applying for Global Entry is a non-refundable $100.

I am pretty irritated. Should I be? Is Pre-check really that awesome? Of course it would be nice to not have to take my shoes off or laptop out of my bag, but should I be all up in arms? It just seems silly that you have to either be invited or pay to be a part of the program.

Oh, and the other good news American gave me was that I can easily get my Platinum status back for the low, low rate of $750. Lucky me! /sarcasm

Readers, what have your TSA Pre-check experiences been? Is it worth paying for? Is there a loophole that I missed?

On a trip a couple of weeks ago, security was a little more chaotic than I was expecting. Right before I went through the line a group of school aged children came through, so I wasn’t paying as much attention to my stuff as I should. I ended up sending my computer through the x-ray machine in a bin with my purse on top of it. Whoops! The TSO grabbed the bin, then sent it through the machine without my purse on top. So I was standing there waiting a little longer than normal. I knew that I was looking for my laptop, so as soon as I saw a blue Dell come through I grabbed it and started to walk away. Except that it was NOT mine, and it actually belonged to the guy in line after me. Whoops again!!

So here is my recommendation: before you walk away from the security line, just take a glance at your stuff to make sure you grabbed the right bins. I realized as soon as I picked it up that the computer I grabbed was bigger than mine (and heavier!) but if it had been the same size I totally would have just left with it. That would have been a catastrophe! Another idea I read about is to tape your business card to the bottom of your laptop in case it gets misplaced during travel. So next time I will definitely be more careful, and make sure I have my own computer.

Readers, have you ever taken something at security that wasn’t yours ?

Last week I got to the airport a little less than an hour before my flight left. This is pretty normal for me—but was about the only normal thing about the airport. I completely forgot that Spring Break is starting soon, and the lines were looooooong. I am lucky I have status and could go through the elite security line because the regular security line stretched halfway down the airport. And it’s not just the fact that there are a ton of people, it’s that so many of them travel very infrequently and don’t move as quickly as maybe we would like.

So just a friendly reminder—get to the airport a little earlier than normal, and if you don’t have status get there even earlier.

When I flew to Nashville a few weeks ago, I noticed that the security line designed for first class and elite flyers at my home airport was unusually long, in fact longer than I’ve ever seen it. Normally it moves pretty quickly, though, so I went ahead and got in it. This time, though, it was pretty sluggish, and when I got to the font I realized why: they were training new TSA agents.

This was irritating to me for multiple reasons. First of all, it was 5:30am on a Monday morning, so it was during one of the busiest times at the airport. Second, business travelers typically don’t leave very much extra time in their schedule, so it seemed likely the delay could lead to someone missing their flight.

I get why they would put a trainee in our line—we fly so often we know the routine, and are (in theory anyway) more prepared to go through security. People who don’t fly often are less likely to be ready with ID and boarding pass and more likely to be flustered, leading to delays. Plus there are fewer frequent fliers, so if the trainee has difficulty with a procedure he is causing fewer people to wait.

But I can’t help but feel that frequent travelers, especially business travelers, pay a lot of money on a regular basis to fly, and I feel like that should be respected. Not that it ever will be, by airlines or the TSA, but that’s how I feel.

Readers, what are your thoughts?

A friend asked me yesterday about Kindles and security. (You may have seen the exchange on my Facebook page.) “Do you have to take your Kindle out at security the way you do with a laptop? Or can it stay inside your bag while it goes through x-ray?” Regular readers may have noticed that I am a HUGE proponent of eReaders, and count my old school Kindle to be one of the most valuable things I travel with. I take it on every trip, so can say without a doubt that you don’t need to take it out at airport security.

However, I know the latest generation of Kindles are more like tablet computers, and I’m less familiar with those. I do have an iPad that I travel with occasionally, and I’ve never had to take it out before. But of course we know that sometimes what happens in practice does not follow the actual rule (thanks for the consistency, TSA) so I thought I would check for sure. I went to the TSA webpage to see what I could find.

Here’s what I found after entering “tablet computer” into the “Can I bring my….” tool:

Small and portable electronic items (iPods, iPads, cell phones, etc.) do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.

Super, so iPads and other tablets don’t have to come out. Just for fun I checked eReaders, and the same message came up. Good to know! Of course, laptops still have to come out and go into their own bin.

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A few weeks ago I posted about bringing tissues and sanitizing wipes on every trip moving forward. One of the comments was a question, asking if TSA allowed wipes through. The reader thought since they are technically wet, they may not be allowed.

I have flown with face wipes many times, never taken them out of my suitcase at airport security, and never had a problem, so I assumed they were allowed. But of course, I also never take out my liquids bag, and I know I’m supposed to do that! So I went to the TSA site to see what I could find. I ended up using the “When I fly, can I bring my….?” tool. I wasn’t expecting much, because the last time I used the tool it was terrible. However, this time when I typed in “wipes” it asked me to choose which kind (baby, antibacterial, etc) and said they were allowed in both checked and carryon luggage.

So that’s good news! In fact it’s two pieces of good news. Yes, wipes are allowed, and the TSA “Can I bring my….?” tool works at least some of the time. Hooray!

I recently received a question from Reader M:

Like you, I’m a knitter. Is TSA allowing knitting items through now?

Great question!

After 9-11, there was some pushback about carrying knitting needles onto planes. However, a few years ago the regulations relaxed and knitters are once again allowed to work on their projects while flying. According to the TSA blog, there are no restrictions on what kind of needles you can bring through—bamboo, plastic, metal, circular, etc. Also, scissors with blades shorter than four inches are allowed. I would advise printing out the page from the TSA blog and TSA website where it says these are okay, just in case you get a TSO who doesn’t know what the rules are. If in the rare case that a TSO still won’t let them through, I would be prepared with some scrap yarn and a plastic needle so you can save your work. (Pictured: Lion Brand Speed Stix Size 50 knitting needles, available at Joann for $10.99.)

My own personal experience: I have never had anyone even ask me a question about my knitting needles, and have traveled hundreds of times in the US, and several times internationally, with them. Once, in Cozumel, it was posted that knitting needles had to go in checked baggage so that’s where they went. Other than that, it’s never been an issue. And it’s a good thing, because without my knitting to keep me busy I would not be a happy traveler!

Readers, have you ever had an issue with your knitting items? What about stuff for other crafty endeavors?

Business Travel 101 is a series from a couple of years ago about making that first business trip as easy and successful as possible. I’ve re-tooled the series, and now it’s more comprehensive than ever! It covers everything a new business traveler needs to know for that initial trip, including essential tips for packing, security, safety, etiquette, and comfort.

As a business traveler one of the most frequent things you do, but hardest things to get used to, is going through security. There are so many things to remember, and the rules are always changing. But once you’ve mastered it, your trips will be so much easier. The following tips are a kind of cheat sheet to getting through security smoothly, quickly, and with a minimum of fuss. I know it looks like a lot to remember, but if you take it one step at a time, you will be fine. The most important thing to remember is to be prepared for the next step before it happens.

Before your trip:

• If you haven’t traveled in a while, even just a few months, go online to the TSA website to catch up with the latest guidelines.
• Pack neatly! If for some reason they have to search your bag, it will be much easier if the suitcase is not a chaotic mess.
• When you are packing, make sure your liquids bag and laptop are easily accessible.

The day of:

• Wear slip on shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
• Avoid large jewelry (or metal shirts. Sigh) or anything else that will set off the metal detector.

Before entering the line:

• Get rid of all bottles of water or any other large amounts of liquid in your bag.
• Get out your travel documents and identification before you get to the TSA agent.

Going through the X-ray machine and metal detector:

• Once you get to the X-ray line, get your stuff out, even if you don’t have bins yet. The usual things that need to go through the X-ray machine separately are:

1. Plastic bag of toiletries (one quart size Ziploc bag, nothing over three ounces)
2. Shoes
3. Laptop

• Ideally when you get to the x-ray machine line you will have everything ready, or at least easy to get to. Know how many bins you will need (I need two: one for my laptop, one for my purse, toiletries, and coat; shoes go on the conveyor belt) and get them out, stacked. I put all the things in one bin, with my shoes and laptop on top. This conserves room on the tables and allows other people to get their stuff together. Once you are close to the x-ray machine, separate the bins and put your laptop in the empty one.
• Once you get to the actual x-ray machine, put your shoes through first (which are slip on and don’t require tying, right?). Then your laptop bin, then your purse bin, and finally your suitcase. Put your suitcase on the belt handle first for easy pick up on the other side.
• Make sure you don’t have anything in your pockets. If you do, put it all into your bag, not loose in a bin. This will speed up things on the other side.

Going through the Body Scanner:

• Make sure you take everything out of your pockets—pieces of paper, hair bands, gum, everything.
• If you have on a long necklace, either remove it or move it to your back.

After going through the machines:

• When you get to the other side of the x-ray machine, pick up your shoes and drop them on the floor. While you are slipping your feet into them grab your laptop and toiletry bag in one hand, put your purse over your shoulder, and pick up your suitcase and put it on the ground. Walk everything over to the convenient bench just a few feet away so that you don’t hold up the line putting all your things in their right places.
• If the above scenario doesn’t work for you, grab your bins and your suitcase and move over to the bench.
• Make sure you double check the bins, especially if there are advertisements in the bottom. Smaller items and boarding passes can blend in and easily be left!
• Remember (and this can be hard for the seasoned travelers, myself included) that not everyone flies every week. Some people will simply take longer than we’d like, and getting frustrated with them won’t make your own trip go any more smoothly.

Readers, what are your tips for getting through security quickly and easily?

I want to preface this by stating that I don’t usually wear belts for function. That is, pretty much any time I put on a belt it’s for looks, not to actually hold my pants up. So this particular tip actually comes from the Home Warrior, who had a memorable experience while flying this summer. (Pictured: Tumbled Leather Belt in Cognac from Banana Republic, $49.50)

See, he likes to get everything prepped and ready before he even gets into the security line. He wants to have everything out of his pockets and into his bag, his license and boarding pass in his hand, and his belt off before he gets in line. He says it’s because it can be stressful trying to get all of that stuff done while he’s taking his shoes off, getting his laptop out, and all the other things that have to happen once you’re actually at the machines. (Which, to be honest, is an attitude I wish all infrequent fliers would take.  Get ready before you get to the machines! ) This summer he was headed to Florida, and did all his normal preparations to get into the security line, including taking off his belt. However, evidently he had lost some weight as his pants were slightly too big. This meant that even though he didn’t have to mess with his wallet, belt, or ID, he did have to hold up his pants the entire time he was in line. That sounds more stressful to me than being a little rushed at the X-ray machine!

In the future, I recommend that everyone that wears a belt, including the Home Warrior, makes sure they don’t have to hold their pants up with their hands if the belt isn’t there. The pants can slip a little, but pants actually falling down could be pretty darned embarrassing.

Readers, have you ever realized an article of clothing was too big when you reached the airport?

Business Travel 101 is a series from a couple of years ago about making that first business trip as easy and successful as possible. I’ve re-tooled the series, and now it’s more comprehensive than ever! It covers everything a new business traveler needs to know for that initial trip, including essential tips for packing, security, safety, etiquette, and comfort.

I often feel the goal of my blog is to help people have calmer, more peaceful trips. Preparing well, packing simply, and being mindful of your fellow travelers are all things I focus on often. If travelers enacted these practices, the traveling world would be a better place! We’ve talked about preparation and packing, therefor the obvious next Business Travel 101 post is about etiquette.

Etiquette is something I feel strongly about in my everyday life, as well as my travel life. Not necessarily the traditional, so-many-rules-it’s-hard-to-remember-them-all etiquette, but simply recognizing that you are not the only passenger on the road and acting accordingly. This is a list of my favorite etiquette guidelines, but not by any means all encompassing. If there is one that means a lot to you that I missed, let me know! And let’s all travel nicely.

Security

• Be prepared to go smoothly through security.  Know what the current security rules are for the location you are traveling through, and follow them. Have everything ready to go (laptop, bag of toiletries, shoes off, etc) as soon as you get to the bins. Have all change out of your pocket and your boarding pass out for people to see.
• Once you get through, grab your bags and bins and move over to the nearby benches so you don’t hold up the line.

Carry-on

• Know your airline’s guidelines. All major airlines have the size and weight restrictions for carry-ons on their website. If your bag is too big, they may make you check it. Also, there are slightly different size requirements for international carriers vs. American carriers, so make sure your bag works for each continent you’re traveling in.
• Make sure you can lift your bag. You may not be able to depend on having people around you that can help, and some flight attendants are prohibited from helping customers put bags up.
• Put your suitcase on the correct side of the airplane, facing the correct way. Listen to what the flight attendants tell you to do, and do it. If one side of the plane is made to hold rollaboards, please put your suitcase there.
• Only put your large bag in the overhead. Put your purse or briefcase under the seat in front of you, until you know for sure there will be room. Also, don’t put your jacket in a bin unless it’s going on top of or in front of your bag.
• Put your bag in the bin as close to your seat as possible. If you are sitting in row 25, and there is no room over 25 and there is room over 23, that’s one thing. But if you’re sitting in row 25 and you put your bag over row 8, the people in row 8 won’t have room.
• Don’t make it your plan to gate check.  If you bring a normal sized carry-on that you are happy to bring on the plane or to gate-check, that is one thing. But please don’t bring an oversized bag on the plane expecting they will make you gate-check it. If you are bringing too much stuff, check your bag. If you don’t want to pay the fee, bring less stuff. Don’t slow everyone else down because you’re trying to save $20. Read more of this article »