Air travel and security in the post-“undie-bomber” world

By Don Sadler

Just when meeting planners were starting to get used to the routines of air travel and airport security, along came the “underwear bomber,” who tried unsuccessfully on Christmas Day to ignite explosives he smuggled onto an airplane in his underwear.
The government response with regard to airport and in-air security was swift and, many believed, overblown, including new rules disallowing pillows and blankets and requiring all passengers to remain seated during the last hour of international flights. Airport security was also immediately tightened even more, resulting in even longer lines and waits.
While some of these rules have since been eased, the incident served as a reminder to many business travelers about the need to be well prepared before heading to the airport for a business trip. “Regardless of underwear bombers or heightened security, there are a lot of simple things business travelers can do to make their trip go more smoothly,” says Rob Hard, publisher of businesstraveldestinations.com.
Start preparing when you book
Hard believes that preparation starts when booking your flight. “My first rule of thumb is to avoid flying during peak times if at all possible, and especially between 6 and 9 a.m.” Of course, take non-stop flights when you can, but if you must make a connection, pay attention to potential weather conditions in connecting airports. “If you have a choice of connecting in a warm or cold weather city in the wintertime, choose the warm city to avoid potential weather delays.”
With most airlines now charging fees to check bags, carrying bags onto the flight is now an even higher priority for most business travelers. The Transportation Security Administration suggests packing carry-on bags in layers — for example, a layer of clothes on the bottom, then electronics, then more clothes, and then heavier items on top — to help expedite passage through security screening.
One of Hard’s favorite tips is to ship meeting and event materials to your destination or back home instead of packing them in your bags. “These will weigh down your luggage, resulting in either excess baggage fees or making it impossible to carry your bag on the plane,” he says. “Bring shipping packages and labels with you.” Many conferences are now passing out materials on thumb drives in order to make bringing them back home easier, he notes.
“Also, pack clothes that are in the same color families so that you bring fewer pairs of shoes and accessories,” Hard adds.
If you usually bring your laptop computer on flights, invest in one of the new laptop cases that are designed to be checkpoint friendly. These cases give screeners a clear and unobstructed view of your computer without you having to take it out of the bag, so there’s one less thing you have to remember to do as you prepare to enter security.
If you do have to check luggage, pack as lightly as possible so that your bag doesn’t exceed the airline’s weight limit (50 pounds for most airlines), resulting in excess baggage charges. Also use a TSA-recognized baggage lock if you lock your checked bags: These can be opened by security officers with a universal master key in case they need to inspect your luggage more carefully.
Also, don’t forget the TSA’s simple rule for carrying liquids onto planes: 3-1-1. This means bottles containing no more than 3.4 ounces of liquid can be packed in your carry-on bag if they are stored in a clear, one-quart plastic zip-top bag. One of these bags is allowed per passenger, and it must be removed from your carry-on and placed separately in the screening bin at security.
More simple steps
Other simple things you can do to make your airport experience and flight less stressful are to check in to your flight online before you leave for the airport and avoid parking at the airport (or off-airport lots) if you can. “Having your spouse or a friend drop you off will save you a lot of time and money,” says Hard. Many hotels offer free shuttles back to the airport when you’re on your way home, so be sure to ask about this before hailing a cab.
The most important step to take to minimize hassles and stress at the airport is also the most obvious one — and the one Hard says many travelers ignore: Get there early.
“Lots of people get angry and blame the security process or the screeners if they have to rush to catch their plane or they miss it, but they really have no one to blame but themselves,” he says. “Just plan on having some time to kill at the gate and bring something to keep you occupied, whether it’s work or a good book to read.
Don Sadler is a freelance writer based in Atlanta, Ga., who covers the business side of meeting planning. Reach him at don@donsadlerwriter.com.

Just when meeting planners were starting to get used to the routines of air travel and airport security, along came the “underwear bomber,” who tried unsuccessfully on Christmas Day to ignite explosives he smuggled onto an airplane in his underwear.

The government response with regard to airport and in-air security was swift and, many believed, overblown, including new rules disallowing pillows and blankets and requiring all passengers to remain seated during the last hour of international flights. Airport security was also immediately tightened even more, resulting in even longer lines and waits.

While some of these rules have since been eased, the incident served as a reminder to many business travelers about the need to be well prepared before heading to the airport for a business trip. “Regardless of underwear bombers or heightened security, there are a lot of simple things business travelers can do to make their trip go more smoothly,” says Rob Hard, publisher of businesstraveldestinations.com.

Start preparing when you book

Hard believes that preparation starts when booking your flight. “My first rule of thumb is to avoid flying during peak times if at all possible, and especially between 6 and 9 a.m.” Of course, take non-stop flights when you can, but if you must make a connection, pay attention to potential weather conditions in connecting airports. “If you have a choice of connecting in a warm or cold weather city in the wintertime, choose the warm city to avoid potential weather delays.”

With most airlines now charging fees to check bags, carrying bags onto the flight is now an even higher priority for most business travelers. The Transportation Security Administration suggests packing carry-on bags in layers — for example, a layer of clothes on the bottom, then electronics, then more clothes, and then heavier items on top — to help expedite passage through security screening.

One of Hard’s favorite tips is to ship meeting and event materials to your destination or back home instead of packing them in your bags. “These will weigh down your luggage, resulting in either excess baggage fees or making it impossible to carry your bag on the plane,” he says. “Bring shipping packages and labels with you.” Many conferences are now passing out materials on thumb drives in order to make bringing them back home easier, he notes.

“Also, pack clothes that are in the same color families so that you bring fewer pairs of shoes and accessories,” Hard adds.

If you usually bring your laptop computer on flights, invest in one of the new laptop cases that are designed to be checkpoint friendly. These cases give screeners a clear and unobstructed view of your computer without you having to take it out of the bag, so there’s one less thing you have to remember to do as you prepare to enter security.

If you do have to check luggage, pack as lightly as possible so that your bag doesn’t exceed the airline’s weight limit (50 pounds for most airlines), resulting in excess baggage charges. Also use a TSA-recognized baggage lock if you lock your checked bags: These can be opened by security officers with a universal master key in case they need to inspect your luggage more carefully.

Also, don’t forget the TSA’s simple rule for carrying liquids onto planes: 3-1-1. This means bottles containing no more than 3.4 ounces of liquid can be packed in your carry-on bag if they are stored in a clear, one-quart plastic zip-top bag. One of these bags is allowed per passenger, and it must be removed from your carry-on and placed separately in the screening bin at security.

More simple steps

Other simple things you can do to make your airport experience and flight less stressful are to check in to your flight online before you leave for the airport and avoid parking at the airport (or off-airport lots) if you can. “Having your spouse or a friend drop you off will save you a lot of time and money,” says Hard. Many hotels offer free shuttles back to the airport when you’re on your way home, so be sure to ask about this before hailing a cab.

The most important step to take to minimize hassles and stress at the airport is also the most obvious one — and the one Hard says many travelers ignore: Get there early.

“Lots of people get angry and blame the security process or the screeners if they have to rush to catch their plane or they miss it, but they really have no one to blame but themselves,” he says. “Just plan on having some time to kill at the gate and bring something to keep you occupied, whether it’s work or a good book to read.

Don Sadler is a freelance writer based in Atlanta, Ga., who covers the business side of meeting planning. Reach him at don@donsadlerwriter.com.

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March 11, 2010 Posted Under: , , , , , , ,

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