Search Results for: blog the new and improved carry on rules

Cracking Down on Carry-Ons

Weeks ago when American Airlines announced it would be charging passengers $15 to check in their first piece of luggage (and $25 for the second bag) every travel analyst in the country echoed the same comment: Beware of an impending crack down on carry ons. Sure enough a few days ago American Airlines announced it will be clamping down on the size of carry-ons (and you can bet other carriers will follow suit in a timely manner). American is the first airline to issue a statement regarding carry-ons. According to an American spokesperson, the airline usually adds extra staff during … Continue reading →

What You Need to Know About the New Homeland Security-Approved Drivers Licenses

For starters the only people who will need to have new Homeland Security-approved drivers licenses are those U.S. residents who wish to use their ID to board an airplane or enter a federal building. If you were born after December 1, 1964 you have until December 1, 2014 to make the switch. Old drivers have until 2017 to get a new ID. You are not being forced to get one. They are no rules that require states to issue the new identification cards to every resident, but if you don’t get one you will not be able to use your … Continue reading →

Carry-On Rules—-Let’s Review

Think you know everything you need to in regards to getting through airport security screening areas without a problem? Then you are in the minority. According to a new report by the Transportation Security Administration, a number of air travelers are still in the dark about certain restrictions. Given this I thought it might be a good time to offer this review: BATTERIES As I mentioned in a previous blog, on January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation implemented a new restriction on how batteries can be carried on planes. Passengers can no longer pack loose batteries (meaning those not … Continue reading →

The End of the Single Carry-On Rule

Just how much can you cram into your carry-on bag? If you fly internationally you likely have the ability to push the limits of your carry-on well beyond most domestic travelers. That’s because an extremely unpopular rule was put into place by the British government last year after local authorities said they had foiled a plot to bomb trans-Atlantic jetliners using small amounts of explosives disguised as ordinary liquids. Since then travelers leaving airports in the United Kingdom were allowed to take just one bag into the aircraft cabin as opposed to two bags elsewhere in the world. The limit … Continue reading →

Land of the Confiscated Items

In previous blogs I’ve written about where lost pieces of airline luggage go when they are separated (sometimes permanently) from their owners. But, have you ever wondered where all those prohibited carry-on items go to rest after airport security screeners confiscate them? Would you believe New Hampshire? A good portion of the “suspicious items” collected at New England airports get sent to a warehouse in New Hampshire. Everything from baseball bats, screwdrivers and wrenches to rocks, razor blades and pocketknives. More than two tons of abandoned items have been collected in the last 10 months. According to the Transportation Security … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Holy Water Gets The Boot and Cruising Minus The Kids

Just the other day I wrote about the introduction of a new Vatican-backed charter airline owned by the private Italian post office, which organizes trips for the Diocese of Rome. Mistral Air is designed specifically to carry pilgrims to Catholic shrines throughout the world. However, since it flies in and out of Europe’s most popular airports its passengers are subject to the same security screening as any other frequent flier. Which is why when pilgrims tried to bring souvenir holy water on board the flight they were given some bad news. That’s right; not even holy water from the Catholic … Continue reading →

Airlines Lift Bans on Lighters and Breast Milk

Good news for you frequent fliers who like to light up… the Transportation Security Administration just announced it’s lifting its ban on lighters. Beginning August 4th airline passengers will be allowed to carry on most types of cigarette lighters. TSA agents say they will no longer confiscate disposable butane lighters, such as Bics, and refillable lighters, like Zippos. However, torch-style lighters, which have hotter flames, will still be banned. TSA administrators say easing the ban will allow airport screeners more time to search for greater threats, such as explosives. According to the TSA, lighters are currently the leading item seized … Continue reading →

A New Option For Those Traveling With Banned Liquids

I’ve covered the new rules regarding banned liquids stored in carry-on bags. I’ve even covered the new relaxed rules regarding banned liquids. If you’ve been able to keep track of it all, here’s one more to add to your packet of airline info: Travelers flying out of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport are now being offered an alternative to tossing out precious perfumes and other high priced liquids that are banned on carry-on bags. According to officials, the airport has implemented a 60-day pilot program (that started Monday) whereby passengers can either mail the items to their final destination or have … Continue reading →

The New and “Improved” Carry On Rules

Finally, some good news for travelers: today the government announced it plans to partially lift its ban against carrying liquids and gels onto airplanes. (Even if you aren’t a frequent flier you probably know that a total ban on liquids and gels was instituted last month after a plot to bomb jets flying into the United States was foiled.) When I heard the news the first thing that came to mind was “baby steps.” (Regular readers of my Travel blogs know that I have been following this carry-on issue closely.) Officials elaborated by saying that passengers can bring liquids and … Continue reading →

Skin Care in the Air

Travel can be rough on your skin. Really, it can be rough on your whole body: sitting still for hours, cramped conditions forcing weird contortions, and more. But for today, let’s focus on your skin. Despite being often surrounded by moist, fluffy clouds, the air inside an airplane is dry. Like desert dry — humidity levels can be as low as five percent. What does that mean for your skin? It means the air can strip away moisture and leave wrinkles and other imperfections more pronounced. As crummy and cranky and tired as flying makes me feel… I sure don’t … Continue reading →