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What
types of items are forbidden by security to be carried on the plane?
Some things can only
be checked while others can only be shipped via air cargo. Check
with the Airline if you think you’re bringing something questionable,
you’ll need to follow their guidelines. Some items may get you in
serious trouble with airport security and under federal law, you
must declare any hazardous materials you are carrying or shipping
to the airline. Violations can carry a huge fines and prison time.
- You should bring that
laptop on board as a carry-on, but make sure the batteries are
good. You may have to demonstrate that electronic items such as
laptops and video cameras are what they look like by showing that
they work. Hence the need for good batteries. Any electronic devices
that aren’t in working order will look suspicious to security.
Security screenings are supposed to leave computers unharmed,
but you might ask for a manual inspection.
- Remember that mace
key chain that makes you feel so safe? Sorry, it’s not going anywhere.
- Neither is that really
nice lighter with the lighter fluid reservoir.
- Knives or cutting
instruments of any kind are not allowed in any carry-on baggage.
Even corkscrews,
nail files, cutters and razors have been confiscated by security
so you should put these items in your checked luggage.
- Anything that could
be used as a weapon or is an incendiary device won’t be allowed
on the plane.
- Don’t travel with
wrapped packages because they will probably be opened, wrap them
after you arrive.
- Don’t tell little
Johnny he can carry that souvenir pioneers’ musket on the plane
because it is obviously a fake gun, he can’t. It also has to be
checked, all the way back at the check-in counter. You know the
one with the long lines. If you think he’ll cry too much when
you take it away, imagine his face when it comes off the conveyor
belt half destroyed because you didn’t pack it your checked bags
like you should have.
- Any item from a list
of hazardous materials published by the Airline. These lists can
include many common household items that become hazardous when
transported by air.
What
types of items are considered to be hazardous materials by the Airlines?
Some items may be obvious,
but you may also find some surprises. During flight, changes in
temperature and pressure can cause items to leak, generate toxic
fumes or start a fire so many common household items can become
hazardous materials when transported by air. You should contact
your Airline directly if you think you’re bringing something questionable
for any additional limits that may apply. Under federal law, you
must declare any hazardous materials you are carrying or shipping
to the Airline. Violations can carry a huge fines and prison time.
This list is not all-inclusive and the Airlines are allowed to develop
their own restrictions, which may be even more limiting than the
requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Flammable liquids
such as fuel, paints, paint-thinners/cleaners, lighter fluid,
butane fuel including curling iron refills and lighters with flammable
liquid reservoirs.
- Flammable solids such
as "strike-anywhere" matches, fireworks, signal flares,
sparklers, ammunition, gunpowder and other explosives.
- Bleach, drain cleaners,
solvents, corrosives and oxidizers.
- Pressurized containers
such as spray cans (hair spray, deodorant or repellents).
- Recreational items
such as scuba tanks, propane tanks, CO2 cartridges, self-inflating
rafts and camping equipment with fuel.
- Dry ice, gas-powered
tools, wet-cell batteries, oxygen tanks, radioactive materials,
poisons and infectious substances.
- Any item that could
be used as a weapon including but not limited to firearms, mace,
tear gas, pepper spray, knifes, cutting instruments.
Are
there any exceptions that allow certain hazardous material to be transported
on the aircraft?
Yes. There are certain
exceptions and guidelines for some personal care, medical needs,
sporting equipment, and items to support physically challenged passengers
so you should contact the Airline for their exact policies concerning
these types of items and any extra fees that may apply.
- Certain unloaded real
guns may be allowed in only checked baggage, if the guns are locked
inside protective cases. You should contact the Airline for their
guidelines on shipping a gun in your checked baggage. You should
also check for laws about carrying your gun to the airport and
into your destination. Boxed small arms ammunition for personal
use may be transported in checked luggage, but you should check
since allowable amounts may vary depending on the Airline.
- Some personal hygiene
items such as perfume that contain hazardous materials may be
allowed to be carried on board, but they are often limited to
no more than 16 oz per container and no more than 70 ounces total.
- Dry Ice, usually 4
lbs. or less, for packing perishables may be carried on board
an aircraft provided the package is vented.
- You may be allowed
to bring a scuba tank that has been drained to a low amount of
psi compression.
- Electric wheelchairs
may be able to be accommodated on board, but the battery may need
to be disconnected, removed, and the terminals insulated to prevent
short circuits.
- Many Airlines provide
supplemental (medical) oxygen with documentation of medical need
and advance notice for in-flight use only, but most do not provide
oxygen for use at ground locations.
Why
does everyone make such a big deal about me keeping an eye on my luggage?
- Many bags are similar
and someone else could accidentally pick up your bag thinking
it is their own.
- There are professional
thieves working most airports and a turned head is all that is
needed.
- Someone could use
your bags to smuggle something illegal.
- Someone could place
a terrorist device in your luggage.
- For everyone’s security,
you’ll be asked if you packed you own bags or if you left those
bags unattended at anytime. If you left your bags unattended and
then try to put them on the plane, security will certainly take
the time to search your bags.
- Security can, in the
interest of safety, even refuse to allow your bags on the plane.
Why
do they bother to ask questions about your luggage, wouldn’t a terrorist
just lie?
When you check-in,
you are often asked questions such as: Did you pack your own luggage?
Did you leave your luggage unattended at anytime? Has anyone asked
you to carry items on this flight? Are you carrying any hazardous
materials? They ask these questions to help keep everyone safe.
Obviously, since anyone could just lie, the questions alone won't
catch someone who has planned to bring something dangerous on
the plane. The questions are meant to find dangerous items that
have been placed with innocent travelers. If you (or someone close
to you husband/wife) packed your bags, you have always had an
eye on them and have not accepted any items from strangers to
carry with you, then it's much less likely that your bags are
carrying dangerous materials.
Should
I admit it if I only left my luggage unattended for a few seconds?
Yes. It is important
to think carefully about security’s questions and answer honestly.
It could save your life and the lives of others. If you did leave
your luggage unattended or even if you just looked away for a
few seconds, then someone could have placed something dangerous
to the safety of the plane inside your bags. If someone asked
you to transport something on the plane, then that something could
be dangerous or forbidden, such as a bomb, weapon or smuggler's
contraband. For your own, as well as other's safety, you should
never leave your luggage unattended or accept items from strangers.
Honesty is important here. If you did happen to leave your luggage
unattended, admitting that you did shouldn't mean that they wouldn’t
check your luggage. They will just normally do a more extensive
security check on your bags and since you'll be on the plane you’ll
want to make sure they do.
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