Navigating TSA's new International Flight Security Rules

(DiveTravelBusinessNews.com -- January 24, 2010) -- Since Northwest Flight 253 was threatened on December 25, 2009 by a passenger carrying explosives, travelers have faced long lines and tougher security rules. Extra bag checks, rigorous identification scrutiny and full body pat-downs are just part of the new measures imposed by the Transportation Security Administration in the US and  at all international airports with flights to the U.S..

According to the TSA, all passengers regardless of age (including minors and unaccompanied minors) will be subject to additional screening if selected at random or if circumstances warrant. Secondary passenger screenings are very likely to include full-body scanners (an extra revealing type of digital imaging), full body pat-downs and manual inspection of all hand carried items.

The security process is already onerous for any regular traveler, but the latest measures are inconsistent and shifting - from country to country, airline to airline and airport to airport - leaving travelers frustrated.  As Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano has cautioned, "These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere."

TIPS FOR CLEARING SECURITY
Here are some tips to help travelers deal with the latest security measures.  

Are you on the Enhanced List?
TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. According to the New York Times, all travelers carrying passports from 14 specific countries, as well as any traveler transiting through any of these countries on their way to the United States will be subject to enhanced screening. The countries noted are Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria (“state sponsors of terrorism”) plus Afghanistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen, referred to as “countries of interest.”

Don't forget the WHTI Document Requirements
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds travelers that, according to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older must present a valid, acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. All air travelers of any age are required to present a passport at time of entry to the U.S.  Estimated border crossing wait times can be found at the CBP website. Check to see what travel documents are required for those travelers who don't hold U.S. or Canadian passports.

Pack Carefully.
Innocent items can actually appear to be potential threats on an X-ray image, simply by the way they’re packed. Tying up loose headphones and cellphone cords so your luggage doesn’t look like an ominous jumble of wires can help expedite screening, for instance. Always use a new Ziploc bag for your makeup and toiletries as past airport screenings can leave a residue on such items and may flag you for secondary inspection. Don’t try to hide objects that may be flagged for secondary screening, either. Pack dense or hard to identify objects near the top of your bag to speed up the bag search process.

Know the Carry-On Rules.
All carry-on bags are being subjected to extra security screenings, causing delays at security gates.The Canadian government has banned all carry-on bags for passengers traveling to the U.S. because new screening requirements are causing excessive delays. Only exceptions are purses, cameras, coats, laptops, musical instruments, medical devices and items for baby care. TSA urges all travelers to check as much carry-on baggage as possible but says that items such as car seats will be accepted on board flights.

Prepare Yourself and Traveling Children.
Some of the angriest responses to the heightened security measures come from parents who have watched their children being patted down, questioned by agents or separated from their parents for secondary screening. Explaining in advance to children what they might encounter can help avoid a meltdown at the airport. The T.S.A. offers a Kids to Kids video at tsa.gov/travelers that walks children through security procedures, from removing shoes and toiletries to stepping through the metal detector.

Dress for the Occasion.
Slip-on shoes, beltless pants and bras without underwires are now commonly worn by regular travelers to speed up passage through security.

Arrive Early.
Passengers must arrive especially early for any international flight as enhanced security on U.S. Bound flights is affecting all travel times.

Follow the Rules.
It may sound simple, but anyone who has been to an airport recently knows how frequently this point is overlooked. Shoes must be placed on the X-ray belt, as opposed to in a bin, to help security officers get a good look at them. Liquids, aerosols or gels must be packed in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces in one clear, quart-sized zip-top bag. A list of prohibited items is at www.tsa.gov/travelers.

Know your Rights.
Under T.S.A. regulations, travelers may request a private area for a pat-down, which could be a separate room or an area out of the view of the general public. You can also ask for a security officer of the same sex, though you may have to wait if one is not immediately available.

Passengers who do not wish to pass through the metal detector for religious or cultural reasons can request a pat-down as an alternative. Head coverings, whether religious or not, are also permitted, though they may be subject to a pat-down search or removal in a private screening area.

Ask for an Explanation.
If you are flagged for a secondary inspection, politely ask the agent what it was that made them select you, so you can avoid a repeat incident.  

Inflight Rules.
In flight, at the discretion of the pilot and the individual airline, passengers may be required to stow all their personal belongings for any portion of the flight.
In flight, passengers may be required to remain in their seats with their hands fully exposed to view, for any portion of the flight but most likely, for the final hour of the flight.

Cooperation is Key.
Come prepared, know what to expect, be patient and cooperate with security representatives will  all contribute to a smoother passage through security.  

Read more at The New York Times. Additional helpful air travel regulation info can be found at the Family Travel Forum.

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