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The
Federal Aviation Agency new rules regarding air travel affect all
travelers. Cruise passengers no longer have the luxury of saying
good-bye to their bags once they've checked in at the airport. You must
now claim your bags at the airport, take them to waiting transportation
and then check them personally at the cruise port.
Below
is a summary of the most pertinent regulations and links to the major
airlines. Be sure check your air carrier's website — some airlines
have implemented their own regulations in addition to the FAA's and have
specific information regarding the size and type of carry-on luggage,
what constitutes a "personal item," etc.
In
summary, the new FAA guidelines/regulations are as follows:
- Passengers
are limited to one carry-on bag and one personal item (such as
handbag or briefcase) on all flights.
- Allow
extra time for check-in. Contact your airline to find out how early
you need to arrive at the airport.
- Check
with your airline or local airport regarding parking and curbside
access. Curbside check-in is available at some, but not all,
airports.
- A
government issued ID (can be federal, state or local) with photo ID
is required and you may be asked to show your ID at other
checkpoints, including at the gate, along with boarding passes.
- Got
an E-ticket? Check with your airline to be sure you have proper
documentation ahead of time. Some airlines require written
confirmation acknowledging the reservation.
- Only
ticketed passengers are allowed beyond the screening checkpoints
unless there is a special medical or parental need.
- Electronic
items, such as laptops and cell phones, may be subject to additional
screening. Be prepared to remove your laptop from its travel case so
that both can be X-rayed separately.
- Remove
all metal objects from your person before you pass through the metal
detectors to facilitate the screening process.
Some
items are prohibited in aircraft cabins. The following items must be
placed in checked baggage:
- Knives
of any length, composition or description
- Cutting
instruments of any kind and composition, including carpet knives and
box cutters (and spare blades), any device with a folding or
retractable blade, ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors and
metal nail files.
- Corkscrews
- Baseball/softball
bats
- Golf
clubs
- Pool
cues
- Ski
poles
- Hockey
sticks.
Items
that are permitted in the aircraft cabin include:
- Pets
(check with airline for procedures)
- Walking
canes and umbrellas (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are
not concealed)
- Nail
clippers
- Safety
razors (including disposable razors) (although I know of one
situation when this, too, was confiscated)
- Syringes
(with medication and professionally printed label identifying
medication or manufacturer's name)
- Tweezers
and eyelash curlers.
And
at all times:
- Control
all bags and personal items.
- Do
not bring anything onboard for another person.
- Report
any unattended items in the airport or aircraft to the nearest
airport or airline personnel.
For
further information and updates from the FAA visit their website.
Below
are websites for the major airlines
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