Saturday, August 6, 2016

The Most Important TSA Travel Rules

By Gregory Thompson


Though many people are content to stay in one place and have no desire to travel, most people do want to explore other countries. Though a few countries are accessible by car or train, if you really want to experience something new, you will have to board a plane and fly. That means a trip to the airport, where you will be subjected to TSA travel rules. Knowing these ahead of time will save you a lot of time and trouble later.

The reason the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA for short, has rules is for safety. Due to increased terrorist attacks and threat of attacks, the government decided that airport travel rules were too lax, and implemented a series of guidelines meant to keep passengers and crews of airplanes alike safe.

The first thing most people do when they arrive at the airport is to check in their luggage and get their boarding pass. The screening starts here, when the airline agent asks a few questions of you for safety. They want to know if you have any weapons and if you packed your own bag among other questions. As long as nothing is wrong, you will get your boarding pass and continue to the TSA checkpoint area.

At the checkpoint, TSA agents will inspect your carry on luggage, electronics, liquids and shoes. You must use the plastic bins provided by the agents and place all of these items in it. They will go through an x-ray machine. The liquids must be in a clear plastic bag that is a quart size, and none of the containers can be more than 3.4 ounces in fluid weight. You can take up to three on the plane, though more can be placed in your checked luggage if need be.

While your carry on items are inspected, you will then go through either a metal detector, image machine, or both. The metal detector is pretty standard, but the image machine may be new to some. This gives the agents a way to see if you are carrying any weapons on you that are not metal. They are perfectly safe and you take no risks using them.

These machines allow you to have a noninvasive way to be screened. If you have any concerns, or cannot go through either machine for any reason, you can opt for a physical search, also known as a pat down.

Once this is done, you can proceed to your gate and wait to board your plane. Any luggage you checked in with your chosen airline will be put on the plane as long as it passes through screening. All checked luggage also is screened through x-ray machines. If you use a lock, make sure it is a TSA approved lock. This allows them to remove the lock using lock picks without harming it. If you use one that is not approved, then you run the risk of it being damaged.

The TSA advises that you arrive at least two hours before your scheduled departure for domestic flights. For international flights, it is best to show up three hours ahead of time. This ensures you do not miss your flight due to long lines, and you make it to the gate in time.




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