Have you flown on an airplane recently? The security lines are longer than ever. We are interrogated, searched and prompted to undress. Did you know that liquids are still prohibited? Toiletries for our hand luggage must fit in a four-ounce ziplock bag.
I will highlight the differences between domestic and international air travel at the Los Angeles International Airport before we go “Up, Up, and Away” and provide you with information about the ticket counter, x-ray area, security screening for hand luggage and personal items and the departure gate.
The ticket counter is the beginning of our trip where we show our identification and e-ticket. We need to adhere to the individual carrier’s baggage requirements, which are up to 50 pounds per bag for both international and domestic flights. No more than two bags per person are permitted per flight.
The x-ray area is where we are instructed to bring our luggage and watch them go through the x-ray process. Each bag is screened.
At the security screening for hand luggage station, personal items are x-rayed by TSA. This is the station where we will probably be searched. We are asked to remove our shoes, coat, suit jacket and purse and place it in one of the bins which are provided by TSA. Also, we are required to remove our laptop from its case and lay it flat in one of the bins. Our hand luggage is placed on the conveyer belt with the bins. Sometimes, we will be asked to remove other articles of clothing, including jewelry and coins, depending on the instruction of the TSA employee. Also, we will walk through a metal detector and be briefed on the next steps including a pat-down inspection. There are also additional “3-1-1” carry-on requirements. “3-1-1” stands for 3 ounces or less in a one quart-sized clear zip-locked bag, One bag per passenger is placed in the screening bin. We also show our identification and boarding pass. Check online at www.tsa.gov for further instructions.
The departure gate will be our final checkpoint before the plane takes off. We will show our identification and boarding pass again.
A passport for international flights and a driver’s license for domestic flights are required. The preferred form of ID, according to the Transportation Bureau, is a passport. As of Jan 23, passports are now required for all travel outside the U.S.
But, here is the caveat for international travel: did you know that meals served on the international flights are hot and complimentary, even for the short flights? In addition, most international airlines have individual, integrated entertainment seen on a personal TV monitor.
I am led to each checkpoint with informed and friendly personnel who are organized. But, I noticed that there is no consistency with the rules and regulations for each carrier. In addition, safety enforcements increase or decrease depending on our security status.
Did you enjoy going “Up, Up, and Away” with me? Trips still can be fun. These minor inconveniences, although awkward, provide us with safer travel. When we have more information, it gives us the ability to understand the rules and regulations of air travel. In addition, it is also easier to adhere to these regulations when we are treated well, an attribute I’ve always appreciated.