Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with TSA

How to minimize hassle at DTW?

number9dream — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:03:09 -0800

Airport/airplane security-filter: have you flown from DTW since yesterday? I have a 10am flight from DTW to BWI on Wednesday. I am flying on Northwest/Delta. I need to check one bag, and there is no way I can avoid doing so. My questions are:

1) How much time should I leave myself to get through security?

2) Any specific new security measures I should be aware of? In particular, are liquids in containers of < 3oz still ok?

Bonus question:

3) I've heard that one is not allowed to access personal items during the last hour of a flight. Is this only true of international flights to the US, or does it also apply to flights within the US? Does that mean that I'm not allowed to, e.g., read a book or listen to my iPod during that time?

Yes, I'm wasting an Ask on TSA/bodybutter issues!

timpanogos — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:48:58 -0800

Will TSA confiscate my two containers of Body Shop body butter? They are Christmas presents for friends back home and I don't want to have to repurchase them once I get to my destination. They are each 6.9 ounces. I looked on the TSA's website and all they mention is gels or liquids. I know TSA can be fickle (and I'm not here to complain about security measures at all) I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience getting body butter through security in my roller bag.

The butter is pretty thick and not gel like at all. Thanks folks.

I know the names don't match, but it's really me! I swear!

arianell — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:22:48 -0800

Someone purchased an airline ticket for me, but booked it under my nickname instead of my legal name. I don't have any photo ID with my nickname on it. Will I be able to fly? (I know there have been previous questions asked about this kind of thing, but none since these new TSA guidelines were implemented.)

Everyone calls me by a nickname that is very different from my "actual" first name. Say my name is Josephine, but I go by Scarlett because of my hair color.

Anyhow, my boyfriend booked a trip for us, and he forgot to reserve my ticket as Josephine instead of Scarlett. We called the airline, and they can't/won't change the name on the ticket. Instead, they kindly offered to let us purchase a replacement ticket for the low low price of $600, which neither one of us can afford.

I know that, until recently, you didn't actually have to show ID to procure your boarding pass or get through security, although the agents at the security checkpoint would flag you for an extra screening. How much has this policy changed? Does it seem likely that I'll be able to board my flight? If not, do I have any other options?

Best Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag?

hokie409 — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:21:14 -0800

Best Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag? Hello. I'm trying to answer the "what do you want for your Birthday question" and was hoping for some help finding a good Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag.

My last laptop bag was this Belkin one strap bag (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000S5CY92) which I purchased because I was looking for a comfortable strap.
(The zipper broke recently, I don't know what I do to zippers. That makes 3 bags and one ski coat with broken zippers I need to get fixed)

My criteria are:
1- TSA Checkpoint friendly. I don't want to take my laptop out of the bag.
2- Comfortable strap and otherwise comfortable to carry. I strongly prefer a strap that is well padded and in one piece. As opposed to those crappy badly padded sleeves that move and twist all around the strap.
3- Must hold my Dell D620 (14 inch scree) but no be so big that it's unreasonable to occasionally travel with my Acer netbook.
4-Well organized pockets and components. A key clip is a great extra.
5- If it's a backpack it shouldn't look *too* kid like b/c I will take it into business meetings. But I'll sacrifice looks for comfort like I did with the Belkin backpack.
6- Price- I was thinking between $60-150.

I'll start with this bag: Skooba R101-101 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ET6P28) as a starting point. But I'm not sure on the strap. Any better ones out there?

Transporting ashes/cremains through airport security

micawber — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:37:05 -0800

Taking a cat's ashes through security or checking them - will there be issues? I'm going to visit friends in my former adopted hometown later this week. As some of you may remember, my cat recently passed away, and we had him cremated. Since he joined my household when I lived in that city, I'd like to bring some of his ashes back and have a small ceremony with my friends there who knew him.

What I don't need is a problem with the TSA on the way out at 6 in the morning if they find it in my carryon, or if I check a bag and security finds it there. I still have time to ship to a friend, but that seems like overkill. My boyfriend says "You are not the first person to have cremains going through security, trust me" but I have no confidence in the intelligence of most TSA workers and I would be devastated if they were confiscated and if I missed my plane I would be livid. Plus, I worry about bursting into tears, which will only make things worse.

What method should I choose?

Does the TSA freak out over Incase hard shells?

vitrum — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:02:28 -0800

Anyone know if TSA agents would require you to remove a laptop from a hard shell case during the x-ray screening process? Or are they just concerned about clutter in bags obscuring their view? I have the Incase linked above and do not want to have to try and go through the pain of removing the thing in line... or at all for that matter :) Thanks!

Can I fly internationally with a lead acid battery in my carry-on?

mateuslee — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:06:49 -0800

In just a couple weeks I will fly to a remote area of Peru from Europe via the US. I'll be bringing some research equipment which including a mobile solar unit. That solar unit is powered by a lead acid battery like this one. Technically, this is an okay thing to bring on carry-on because it is dry-cell (i.e. not like a car battery), and as far as I know it conforms to TSA standards.

However, it is expensive and I know that the TSA aren't exactly known for their willingness to cooperate or their friendliness. This battery is pretty expensive and it would be a shame to lose it.

I wonder, is there some sort of documentation I can bring to show the TSA and other authorities which will demonstrate that I have a legal right to fly with this device and that it is not dangerous or threatening...

If not, and perhaps more importantly, is it safe to put this battery in my normal (non-carry-on) luggage? I don't know about the safety issues involved...

Thanks guys! You're the best.

Solar Panels R Fun!

aetg — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:09:19 -0800

Do you have this backpack? Have you taken it through the TSA? What about the airports at Paris, Johannesburg, or Dakar?

For obvious reasons I want to use it as my carry-on bag, but I'm concerned that the additional cords and wires might caused it to get searched or seized.

Actually, I'm not so worried about the search as much as the seizing.

Any personal experiences or links to articles welcome. Random speculation would not be helpful in this case. Thanks in advance!

flying with prescription drugs

mrunderhill — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 10:24:50 -0800

My doctor gave me a dozen Vicodin for back pain. I just realized that the bottle doesn't have my name on it. I'm getting on an international flight in a few hours. Will this be a problem? Flying from the US to the EU.

Packing Pen on Plane?

gyusan — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:36:00 -0800

Does anyone have direct experience taking a Rotring 500 fountain pen on an airplane in post 9/11 America? If so, your advice? I am flying to a conference and would like to bring along my daily writing pen as I intend to take lots of notes but because it is a solid hunk of brass I am reluctant to chance getting it confiscated. It has always reminded me of one of those "self defense wands" and I am afraid that a tsa agent will think the same. Bonus: any general tips for taking a fountain pen on an airplane? I have heard horror stories about spurting ink and general messiness due to fluctuating air pressure. Thanks.

How about that TSA?

Mutant — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:03:54 -0800

So just how bad is the TSA these days? I'm American and I've lived in London for the past eleven years. During that time I've been back to the United States many times, but always Business Class travel solely into New York, Chicago, Washington, and Vegas. I can't recall the last time I've taken an internal flight in the United States.

In April I'm taking the lovely Mrs Mutant back home to The Farm to meet Maw and the rest of the kin. We got married in Vegas last September, and as Maw simply will not travel (a lethargy inducing combination of being widowed, 30 plus cats and dawgs, suspicion about anybody who ain't "from here", fear of "those people" and a healthy dose of "why anyone wanna go there?") this will be the first time she's met her Daughter in Law. Mrs Mutant is Dutch, but has spoken to Maw often on the telephone, who has allowed privately to me that her Daughter in Law "seems all right". High regards indeed.

We're flying into JFK and have to get to Western New York, Lake Ontario area. I'm inclined to take Amtrak (note only the train is so so European, the trip would allow my wife to see the scale of America) even though its roughly eight hours on the Lake Shore Limited, but before I booked wanted to query about recent TSA experiences, particularly traveling between New York and Buffalo.

I've read some of the negative stories about the TSA, realise those folks have a tough job, but still thought it worth asking. There may be differences when traveling into destinations such as Buffalo. Also when I travel my single carry on is a pilots case similar to this one, the largest IATA approved bag. Will I have any problems with this if we take a domestic flight? I routinely take this to Amsterdam, flying on a very small, Fokker 50 and it fits into the overhead just fine.

Typically I've got it packed with two Apple PowerBooks, an external hard drive, power supplies, USB & iPod cables, and a large collection of finance books & research papers.

Bonus points if anyone's got any tips or information on Amtrak, particularly how it compares to European train travel.

Many thanks for your help!

What will they do if I CAN'T turn on my laptop?

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 05:32:18 -0800

TSAfilter: will there be any problem getting a laptop without a battery through the carry-on checkpoint at my local (American) airport? I got my partner a new laptop for Christmas, but the airline I'm taking to visit next week has something of a history of checked baggage being broken into and having expensive items stolen. As a result, I'm concerned.

At this point, the best solution I can think of is to open the packaging and take the laptop itself out of the box and carry it on with me.

However, because I want it to look as not-tampered-with as possible when I give it, I'd also prefer to not have to unwrap the unit itself and put the battery in. The problem is that I seem to have this idea that the checkpoint guards will require all laptops to be turned on, in order to somehow prove that they aren't bombs.

If I just take the still-wrapped laptop out of the packaging and don't put the battery in, are they likely to give me much trouble about the fact that I can't turn it on? It'll still be sealed at that point, so can I safely claim that it's never even been opened? I'm looking to not be detained, if at all possible, so if I'll get in trouble and/or delayed for trying to take a laptop on a plane with me that can't be turned on, that would be decidedly less than ideal.

What, in short, is the best course of action to get this laptop there without worrying about it being stolen?

Free valve replacement with every inspection

SemiSophos — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:21:47 -0800

What is this tiny valve, and what was it doing in my suitcase? Relevant information:
I just flew from MSP to ATL, and I found this in my checked luggage, which the TSA had opened.

I'm a scuba diver, but don't readily recognize this from anything of mine. Furthermore, I don't recall transporting gear in this bag.

So, what's this guy from, and how'd he hitch a ride in my bag?

How do I pack for air travel these days?

Lynsey — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:53:58 -0800

Dear seasoned travelers of MeFi, help me plan for my trip to PDX. I haven't flown in a while and am a bit nervous about the whole airport security thing. I want to avoid issues with the TSA and airline workers, so if you would, please give me suggestions on packing. I am bringing my DSLR in its travel bag with neck strap, my laptop, blank CD's, mini-tool kit and software CD's to work on my parents' computers, plus my purse.

I have a large laptop bag that I can fit all that stuff in, and I'd like to keep the camera with me, as well as my purse, of course. I will also check a bag with enough clothing for my stay. Does that sound like a good plan? If not, how do you manage carrying on laptop, camera, and purse?

(further details: SFO to PDX, then PDX to SFO, both on United non-stop)

u lock or u don't lock?

Hat Maui — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 22:28:45 -0800

can you bring a bike lock (u-lock style) on a plane in your carryon? i've checked TSA, google, etc. anyone had any experience with this?

An ounce of prevention?

shelbaroo — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 13:57:44 -0800

I'm flying to DC this week, and all of my travel sized containers are four ounces, not the 3 oz. specified in the TSA bulletin. I went shopping to try to find some more compliant containers, and everything I found was 4 oz. as well!!! The bottles are short, I'm only using 2 of them, and they easily fit into the quart-sized baggie. What are my chances, MeFi? Would I be courting trouble to use what I've got? How irritating! I naturally want to avoid hassle at the airport, would really prefer not to have to check my luggage (got to get to my meeting on time), but also don't want to spend inordinate amounts of time scouring the landscape for smaller containers, either. Any recent first- or second-hand experiences both positive and negative with the slightly-out-of-bounds travel container appreciated. I'm flying out of a smaller midwest airport, if that matters. Alternatively, just tell me where you've found spout- or screw-top containers of the right size so I can quit the goose chase.

TSA rules make no sense! Surprise!

crush-onastick — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 14:31:17 -0800

More US TSA questions. So this all your 3 oz or smaller liquid/gel personal hygeine items must fit in a one quart plastic bag thing, is that including the lipstick & other cosmetics, or just including the liquids & gels? I've checked TSA and several airport/airline sites and all the examples just show shampoo & shaving cream, &c in the baggie. Even the "woman business traveler" video doesn't show lipstick in her baggie. The only people I know who have flown since the new requirement are men and they have no idea. Is there any woman of MeFi who has flown in the last week (bonus if you left from O'Hare) and can tell me whether *all* my cosmetics, as well as my toiletries, must fit in the single one quart zip top baggie?

What to do about a now-uneeded airline ticket/reservation?

attercoppe — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 20:29:59 -0800

I bought two non-refundable airline tickets, now one of us will not be going. What to do about that ticket? My girlfriend and I were going to fly to my brother's wedding two weeks from now. The wedding is still on, the girl and I are not - I'll be flying solo now, literally as well as figuratively.

I purchased tickets online to get a special "internet rate", but they are non-refundable. I have received an emailed "ticketless confirmation" and must print my boarding pass prior to checking in.

Do I:

a) print my pass, just show up without her or her pass, and fly;
b) cancel her ticket (eating the fare, which I will anyway);
c) print my pass, show up and let someone (who?) know I'm flying but she's not, and fly
d)none of the above.

I'd like the least potential hassle from TSA due to a late change in plans, so I'm leaning towards just cancelling her ticket, but...there's a very slight chance that she may come after all; and I may not be able to cancel just her ticket - since they were purchased together.

Opinions (relevant to the ticket situation, that is) are fine, pointers to relevant guidelines are better. Details: Southwest Airlines, Denver to KC, flying just a few days after September 11th.

Question for recent air travelers, US domestic.

Rash — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 09:46:29 -0800

So we know they aren't letting any liquids pass the security checkpoint now. But I can still take drinks onto the airplane, right, long as I buy them at the overpriced gift shop at the gate? And I can fill my empty flask, once beyond the TSA inspection?

Travel Tips for Flying with a Newborn - Threat Level Orange

anastasiav — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 04:44:54 -0800

I'm flying tonight from Boston to Pittsburgh with a one month old baby. I know not to bring any liquids in my carry-on luggage with me, per the news today. Will they let me bring the car seat on with me, or will I have to check it? What else should I expect, in terms of flying with a newborn? Bonus: I'm terrified of flying, and have only flown once in the past four years. Today's news is not helping my state of mind. Tips for coping with this today?

Oh, and we're flying on Jetblue, if that matters.

Are they going to think I'm a terrorist?

ubernostrum — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 07:32:32 -0800

Help me figure out whether I can fly in spite of the crazy Kansas DMV. So I recently moved cross-country from Virginia to Kansas and started a new job, and getting all the assorted bureaucracy done has been a nightmare. Auto insurance, a prerequisite for getting my driver's license and car registration here, took multiple months to transfer thanks to the ball getting dropped somewhere in the process, but finally went through.

So I went to the DMV to get my Kansas driver's license, and after filling out all the paperwork and posing for my picture, they gave me a printed paper receipt with my new license information, photo and signature in lovely blurry black-and-white, and said "your permanent license will be mailed to you in one to three weeks".

I'm flying back East twice in the next three weeks, including once this weekend, and while I do have my old Virginia license, it's now invalid; the Kansas DMV guy cut the corner off it, and it didn't match the address on my ticket anyway.

Should I plan on arriving at the airport twelve hours early to deal with the interrogation and body-cavity search they'll give me when they see that my only "valid" ID is this piece of paper? Has anyone got a relevant experience to reassure me that I won't be automatically treated like a terrorist?

take a home made stereo as carry-on?

hurting.the.feelings.of.thechinesepeople — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 20:01:29 -0800

I tore apart a bookshelf stereo system and put it in a strawberry crate, as seen here. I love it. I would like to take it with me when I move to hawaii. Can I carry it on? It's nothing more than electronics that work. but i'm afraid TSA might just take one look and toss me into the clink. I realize safety is the TSA's priority but I do want to take this if possible. I've carry'd on my record player before. what's the diff?

Airline policy shift?

unknowncommand — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 20:55:25 -0800

When did the FAA/airlines stop asking those 2 questions about whether someone had given me something to bring on the plane, and whether my bags had been out of my possession at any point? What was their justification? I want to say that this changed after 9/11, but that doesn't really make sense.

Packing food for airline travel

rorycberger — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 15:51:22 -0800

Can I check a cooler full of food when flying state to state? For Thanksgiving I was hoping to bring some food (mix of cooked and raw) from California to Pennsylvania. Though it doesn't say anything about food on the TSA permitted/prohibited list(pdf), I'm worried that I'm going to show up at the airport and it will be a problem. Also, assuming it is allowed, are there any special precautions I should take (both to ensure food safety and minimize security hassles)? Will they get pissy if I duct tape it shut? Are there any foods that you aren't supposed to take to another state? Any other tips?

Can you take a guitar on a plane these days ?

y2karl — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 21:54:48 -0800

I am flying to another city soon and would like take my guitar with me. On the plane--not as baggage. I would like to read about the experiences of anyone here who has tried to do the same. My research thus far yields no fixed answer.