With the holiday season fast approaching, I’d like to take this opportunity to inform you of some travel and security tips that will help make your holiday travel easier and quicker at the airport.
- Arrive 90 minutes before your flight.
- Our baggage dimensions are: Carry on-nine inches by 14 inches by 22 inches, with a 40 pound limit; Check in-62 inches linear, with a 70 pound limit.
- Don’t forget we have free parking and shuttle service.
- Every passenger must go through two stages of screening: baggage checkpoints and passenger checkpoints.
As of January 1, the Transportation Safety Administration began screening 100 percent of checked baggage at all airports. Please be aware you won’t be able to access your checked bags after they’re screened. Don’t lock your bags. In Peoria, the TSA can unlock and lock your bags during the screening process; however, at your returning airport, you may not be able to stay with your bags. The TSA will cut off your locks if they need to screen inside the bags.
Here are some general security tips from the TSA:
- Label your laptop with your personal identification information to avoid loss or accidental exchange with other travelers while going through security.
- Leave your bags unlocked before going through a baggage checkpoint.
- Don’t put film in your checked baggage.
- Avoid packing food and drink items in checked baggage.
- Avoid over-packing your bag.
- Consider putting personal items in clear plastic bags, reducing the possibility a TSA screener will have to handle them.
When passing through passenger checkpoints and walking through the metal detector:
- Place all carry-on baggage and any items you’re carrying with you on the belt of the X-ray machine.
- Remove laptop computers from their case, and place in one of the bins provided by the TSA.
- Remove your outer coat or jacket and place in a bin.
- Pack all metal items, including the contents of your pockets, in your carry-on baggage or place in the provided bin. Examples include: mobile phones, pagers, keys, lighters, and loose coins.
- Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry, or other accessories that contain metal. This includes: shoes with steel shanks, tips, heels, or buckles; clothing with metal buttons, tags, snaps or studs; metal hair barrettes; and belt buckles or under-wire brassieres.
If the alarm is set off on the detector, the TSA must conduct a secondary screening. This screening includes a hand-wand inspection in conjunction with a pat-down inspection. If you must go through a secondary screening, the screener will direct you from the metal detector to a screening station. The TSA recommends individuals with a pacemaker or other device likely to alarm the metal detector bring identification verifying the condition. This identification will assist in expediting the screening process. If you have any other special needs-like religious or cultural considerations, disabilities, or medical concerns-please inform your screener.
In addition, our gift shop, Up, Up & Away, will mail confiscated items back to your personal residence. The airport will pay up to $5 for shipping.
The TSA’s primary goal is to treat all passengers with courtesy, dignity, and respect during the security screening process. Please remember they’re there to ensure the safety of every passenger.
Everyone needs to play an active role in contributing to air travel security. Together, airlines, airports, travel agents, government officials, and the public can make air travel safe, secure, and efficient. IBI
