Plan Ahead When Traveling This Holiday Season!

Traveling — especially for vacation — shouldn't create more stress in an already hectic life. Knowing what to expect before your pack your bags will help ease your troubles while you travel.

Waiting in a winding airport security checkpoint line is just one of many potential headaches today's travelers experience. Worrying about what to pack, what kind of identification is required, and how much cash to bring are yet others. In order to help ease the stress level before and during your next trip, it might help to review some guidance from the officials who oversee our nation's travel rules and regulations.

What Do the Experts Recommend?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) keeps up-to-date information on all rules and regulations concerning travel by air, rail, and sea. At the organization's Web site, vacationers and business travelers alike can review rules and get tips to help make their trips as hassle-free as possible. For example, they can review the "3-1-1" rule, which states that passengers boarding an aircraft are allowed to carry bottles containing up to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) of liquid or gels in a single, one quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag. Note that this rule does not apply to prescription or over-the-counters medications, and baby food, baby formula, or breast milk as long as an infant is present. Such liquids, however, are subject to physical inspection.

Other recommendations from the TSA and the U.S. State Department include:

• Don't carry large amounts of cash. Carry traveler's checks and record the serial numbers, denominations, date, and location of the issuing bank or agency. Keep this information in a separate (but handy) location so that you have quick access to it if you lose your checks.
• Consider using credit cards instead of cash, but leave unnecessary cards at home. Like traveler's checks, record the information of the cards you bring with you and keep it separate in case of an emergency.
• Try not to look like a tourist and minimize the appearance of affluence. Dress conservatively and avoid wearing expensive-looking jewelry. Travel light so that you can get around with little encumbrance, and don't pack many valuables. Lock what you do bring in the hotel safe.
• Consider carrying cash and valuables in several places on your person rather than in one purse or wallet. A money belt is probably the most secure place for cash and traveler's checks, but a sturdy shoulder bag with the strap worn across your chest is a good option, too.
• Keep your bank's telephone number with you -- in case of a financial emergency, you may be able to have money transferred to a local financial institution or travel agency.
• Be sure to bring any medication you will need, and consider an extra pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses as well.
• Make sure your name, address, and telephone number are on the outside and inside of all your luggage. Note that covered luggage tags will conceal your personal information to the casual observer. If you prefer to lock your checked baggage, be sure to use TSA-approved locks, which can be accessed at http://www.safeskieslocks.com or http://www.travelsentry.org.
• Don't pack wrapped gifts in checked baggage -- they may be opened by security personnel during the screening process.
• Leave a copy of your itinerary with friends or family members back home.
• Check your credit cards, and homeowners' and health insurance policies to see what's covered while traveling. You may want to consider purchasing travelers' insurance, which covers such things as an unexpected cancellation of your trip, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and other problems. Be sure to read the policy's fine print, however.
• Store film in carry-on luggage. Screeners for checked bags may destroy it.
• Let your children know about airport screening procedures ahead of time, and allow yourself extra time to get through the checkpoints with youngsters in tow. Note that everything you carry on with your family needs to be put through the X-ray machine. Items that are too large (such as strollers) will be physically inspected by the security personnel. The TSA recommends that children who can walk without assistance pass through the metal detectors separately; however, parents can carry their younger children through if they choose. Folks traveling with multiple children may want to request a private screening.

Happy Holidays and Happy Travels!!!

 

 

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