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Terrorism TipsBy Madelyn Miller
In fact, if you uttered those words in an airport, you would probably increase your chances of being searched and/or detained by airport security. But since I travel through at least two airports a week, and usually more, I have learned a lot about how to decrease the hassle of traveling in these troubled times. But when asked to do a TV on Fox KDFW in Dallas to help people deal with the orange terrorism alert I realized that there were so many little things to do that I decided to ask for input from other frequent travelers. Here are some suggestions to speed you through the airport and make it less frustrating. Mario Almonte, a PR professional who has represented many tourist destinations, tour operators and travel-service companies, says, “ Over the years, I have heard of almost all possible scenarios that travelers have dealt with at airports. Many of the latest are, of course, related to the stepped-up security issues. Here are my suggestions on the issue: The most important thing travelers can do to prepare for security checks at airports is: Give yourself enough time to deal with all the potential delays. It's a simple advice but probably the most ignored. Nothing creates more stress and frustration than seeing the time for your flight ticking away while you deal with a minor issue regarding security that an extra minute of your time at home could have solved. As well, at such stressful times, you might simply send the wrong signal to security personnel, who will be even more cautious with you and possibly delay you more than other travelers. Other traveling advice:
2. Make sure your travel documents, especially your Passport, are up-to-date. Keep copies of the important ones, such as your Passport and picture I.D.s, in different suitcases, in case any one of those suitcases gets lost or mis-routed. 3. Don't try to strike up small talk with the security personnel. They're trying to do their jobs and don't want the distraction. You're just going to make them suspicious because you're being overly friendly. If you've got nothing to hide, they'll find nothing and will let you continue on your way. 4. Carefully inspect the clothes you are wearing to make sure they don't have any metal-based pieces in-laid. Today's popular rubber shoes or sneakers may have metal tips. But also consider clothing with snaps; jeans and shirts that may use a metal logo. Best to make sure you're absolutely metal-free! 5. Don't over-pack your suitcases! Make sure you can easily fit everything back if you have to open it at the airport. Nothing's more embarrassing than to have all your clothing all over the place, exposed to public amusement. But just in case, pack your underwear at the bottom! Relax. Like the weather, you can't do anything about it. Go with the flow. “ Almonte is currently the Director of Public Relations at New York-based Herman Associates. www.hermanassociatesnewyork.com BEFORE YOU GO TO THE AIRPORTJoe Lopano, airline/travel expert and senior executive at DFW International, the world's third-busiest Airport, offers proven tips to help air travelers prepare for and deal with stepped-up security measures at DFW and our nation's other airports Do NOT pack or bring prohibited items to the airport. Read the Permitted and Prohibited Items (PDF 319KB) list. Refrain from taking wrapped presents to the airport. TSA is recommending that you either ship wrapped packages ahead of time or wrap on arrival. If the package alarms, TSA will need to unwrap it to investigate the source of the alarm. Avoid wearing shoes, clothing, jewelry, and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector. Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film. Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Personal items include laptops, purses, small backpacks, briefcases, or camera cases. Remember, 1+1. Place identification tags in and on all of your baggage. Don't forget to label your laptop computer. These are one of the most forgotten items at Screening Checkpoints. AT THE AIRPORT
Put metal IN your carry-on bag. This includes jewelry, loose change, keys, mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs). Take OUT your laptop computer. Place it in a bin, separate from its carrying case. .Take OFF your outer coat. Place it in a bin. Suit jackets and blazers do not have to be removed, unless requested by the screener. BABY YOUR BABYHere are Lopano’s tips for traveling with a baby The Screening Process X-Ray All carry-on baggage, including children's bags and items, must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: diaper bags, blankets, and toys. All child-related equipment that will fit through the X-ray machine must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: strollers, umbrella strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings. When you arrive at the checkpoint, you should collapse or fold child-related equipment and secure items that are in the pockets, baskets, or attached to the equipment. You will place these items on the X-ray belt for inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit such items. When child-related equipment does not fit through the X-ray machine, the equipment must be visually and physically inspected. Ask screeners for assistance to help reunite you with your bags and child-related equipment, if needed. ALERT! Babies should NEVER be left in an infant carrier while it goes through the X- The Walk Through Metal Detector The screener will need to resolve the alarm for both the adult and child if something sets off the alarm as you are carrying a child through the metal detector. Babies and children must be removed from their strollers or infant carriers so they can be individually screened. You may not pass the child to another person behind you or in front of you during this process. COMMON SENSE TIPS1. Wear pants that do not require a belt or buy one without metal. 2. Wear earrings that have minimal metal. Remove hairclips. (Sometimes they do set off alarms.) 3. Organize your belongings before you get to the x-ray machine. Put cell phone and/or pager in purse or briefcase. Remove change or other metal from pockets and place in plastic bag. 4. Smile and make polite conversation with the screeners. (You'll feel better and so will they.) 5. While waiting in line, mentally scan all of your carried-on belongings for contraband. Joyce L. Gioia, CMC Karen Okulicz travels throughout the year giving workshops. Here are some of her tips: 1. I wear my ID around my neck ...use a conference ID tag and slip in your Drivers license...this stops the opening closing of your wallet. So you don't lose anything. You can also just have the ID in your shirt and pull it out if you don't want other travelers to see your ID. (There are all kinds of people who don't like that. 2. Always have work reading and joy reading with you never know when...you will a delay and need to be occupied. Karen Okulicz Author of "Try! A Survival Guide to Unemployment" and "Decide! How to make any Decision" http://www.OKULICZ.com email Karen@okulicz.com Phone 888-529-6090 Fax 732-681-1318 EASY TIPSTravel writer Joyce Gregory suggests wear clogs (or loafers) so you can slip them on and off easily MY FAVORITE NO NO TIPWine lover Marcia Palanci told me that, “Recently, I
was traveling and forgot to remove my very expensive Lagigole corkscrew from
my briefcase. Of course, it was confiscated. There just be another wine
geek out there making the same mistake so you should warn your travelers
that it is not just scissors, pen knives, tweezers that are no-no's, but
also our beloved corkscrews. THE ALOHA APPROACHMicco suggests, “We have been advising clients to travel to the airport in Aloha fashion: loose shorts, aloha shirt, muumuus and flip flops. Real cool and you will go through security in Hawaiian style. Kayak Kaua'i...celebrating 20 years of sharing the
Kaua'i outdoors! READ ALL ABOUT ITFODOR’S HOW TO PACK 1001 SMART TRAVEL TIPS HOW TO TAKE A ROAD TRIP VAGABOUNDING OAG EXPRESS ESSENTIAL WORLD ATLAS |
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TM
This
is not a primer on how to be a terrorist.
1.
If you're going OUT of the U.S., you'll eventually be coming back IN! Make
sure you are thoroughly familiar with any security or check-in issues at
your returning airport to ensure you arrive ready to deal with them. 
Lopano
has more suggestions for when you arrive at the airport: