Air Travel Tips

Organizing your luggage and carry-ons before leaving home can have a tremendous impact on your attitude once you arrive at the airport. Here are a few tips for smooth sailing:

Before You Leave Home

• Travel to Canada requires ID: a passport or birth certificate is required for travel to Canada; effective January 23, 2007 only a passport will be accepted as identification. You can have passport photos taken at your local AAA service center
• Understand carry-on baggage limits: passengers are limited to one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase (size and weight restrictions vary by airline)
• Determine checked baggage limits: check with your airline for specific size and weight limit policies; overweight baggage may be subject to additional charges
• Contact your airline (phone, online): confirm your reservation and flight times; some airlines now allow you to check-in online up to 24 hours in advance of your flight
• Arrange for a ride: have a friend drive you or take public transportation or a shuttle service to the airport to save the time and reduce the stress and expense of long-term parking
• Dress comfortably: travel stress is easier to handle when you're comfortable; avoid clothes and shoes that contain metal as they may result in extra screening
• Pack snacks: many airlines no longer offer food-in-flight, so be prepared, on longer flights, by packing snacks; this is much less expensive than buying snacks at the airport, however beverages in containers more than 3 ounces are prohibited unless purchased at the airport after the security check point
• Carry valuables with you: take jewelry, cameras, medications, and important documents with you in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage
• Prepare for possible delays: bring a book, newspaper, cards or other diversions to help pass the time
• Secure your house: make your house appear lived-in, lock all windows and doors, close shades, stop newspaper delivery, have the post office hold your mail, set a light to operate on a timer and don't mention your trip on your telephone answering machine

Packing Tips

• Avoid over-packing your bag: security screeners need to be able to close your luggage after inspection
• Do not check film: new screening equipment may damage film in checked baggage; keep it in your carry-on bag
• Footwear: pack footwear on top to be easily screened
• Gifts: ship gifts or leave them unwrapped; otherwise, security may tear off the wrapping paper
• Delicate items: consider placing personal belongings or delicate items in clear plastic bags to reduce handling by security
• Baggage ID: use baggage tags with cover flaps to help keep your information private; tape a business card to the inside of your bags in case external identification is lost; if you book your travel through AAA Washington, for additional privacy you may use the address of one of our service centers instead of your own address on your baggage tag
• Mark your baggage: many bags look alike, so use colored ribbon or tape on your bag for easier identification in baggage claim
• Do not lock baggage: when screening your bags, security personnel may break your locks if necessary; usa a TSA approved lock they can access
• Items to avoid: do not carry on or check knives, firearms, flammable items; only 3 ounce containers of liquid, gels or aerosols are allowed - check with the US Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration for more details

At the Airport

• Arrive early: arrive two hours before your flight (three hours before an international flight) to allow extra time for crowds and security procedures
• Check as much baggage as possible: overhead compartments and carry-on space will be limited
• Keep photo identification handy: you will be asked for it numerous times during the check-in and security process
• Carry your tickets: keep your airline tickets and/or a copy of your itinerary from your travel agent readily accessible
• Have your boarding pass ready: have an actual boarding pass in-hand before going through airport security; an airline ticket (whether paper, printed electronic or internet confirmation) is not acceptable for passage through security
• International travel: carry your passport, as well as a copy of it and extra photos, separately, in case they're lost
• Never leave your bags unattended
• Avoid strangers: do not accept packages or watch bags for strangers
• Expect questions: be prepared to politely answer questions from airline and security personnel
• Do not joke: security personnel are trained to react when they hear talk concerning bombs, firearms or terrorists and penalties can be severe
• Be polite: politeness and a sense of humor go a long way to receiving good service in any situation

For Children Flying Alone

• Young children can fly: airlines will assign someone to keep an eye on young children, will help them change planes if their plane is rerouted, will escort them to overnight accommodations if needed, and will try to contact you to let you know about changes
• Proper ID required for pick-up: even if children recognize someone as a family member, any person picking up a child will be asked for proper identification before airline personnel will release the child
• Finicky eaters: pack a snack in case your child doesn't like the airplane food or if the airline does not offer a child's meal
• Dress comfortably: dress children in comfortable clothing with layers that are easy to remove for bathroom visits
• Money: give children a little cash for in-flight movies or headphones and some change or a calling card in case they need to make a phone call upon landing
• Backpack/flight bag: pack a bag with books, quiet games, snacks and your child's ticket
• What to expect: warn your children about the noises airplanes make upon take-off and landing and about the possibility of a bumpy ride
• Behavior: explain to your children about proper airplane etiquette, tell them to keep their seatbelt fastened when seated, and ask them to remain seated when the plane lands and to wait for the airline attendant to escort them off the plane
• Notarized permission: many countries now require children under age 18 traveling without parents or with only one parent to have a notarized letter from the absent parent(s) authorizing the travel. This includes Canada and Mexico.

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