Immediate Change in TSA Carry-On Requirements

[BurBunny]

Effective at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, August 4, the TSA will require travelers to remove the following items from their carry-on bags and submit them for separate screening: video games, video cameras, DVD players and CD players. They will now be treated like laptop computers. You'll have to remove them from your carry-on and run them separately through the X-ray machines.

Note, this is not supposed to mean all electronics, but I'd expect some screeners to take this a step further while they're all getting to understand the rules, especially since the early notices to the screeners said all electronics. For the next few days, you may want to minimize the amount of electronics you carry onto the plane.

You MAY still carry these items - you'll just need to separate them out from the rest of your carry ons when you go through security.

[fcorey]

great, cant wait for them to paw through my camera bag.... :D not so much a pain for me but I got plenty of electronic junk in there...people behind me probably wont be too happy though

[jtl513]

At the Orlando airport video cameras have been treated like laptops for a couple of years now, so as far as I'm concerned this is just adding CD/DVD players ... which I don't carry.

[Orlandocruiser]

Thanks for the heads-up, I,m traveling Sat am at 6 am - now I'll go and make sure my ipod is on top in my carry on. They seem to try to announce these things to generate maximum confusion - people still don't get it with regard to the zip-loc bags.

[Carey and Kerry]

The last 2 or 3 times I went thru the Norfolk airport, I had to take all electronics out and put them in a different bucket from the rest of the carry ons. That included my digital camera as well as CD player and video camera.

[bepsf]

And what additional degree of safety/security is this supposed to grant us? It's not like the X-ray machines can't already see our cellphones, cameras, iPods, etc. in the pockets of our coats and briefcases already - and of they see something that they can't determine or have suspicions over, they can already simply pull the bag and do a manual check.

Homeland Insecurity and Traveler Specific Aggrevation strike again...
:mad:

[tomc]

I see they still prohibit meat cleavers, flare guns, cattle prods, blackjacks, brass knuckles, dynamite, hand grenades and cordless portable power saws.

[ClipperMiami]

bepsf

Like you I have never been able to understand the requirement to remove laptops and X-Ray them separately. Last time I looked X-Rays can see them though the luggage too.

Frankly I agree with the Israeli security experts --- the US does not have a passenger security system, we have a system for passenger annoyance. This, like all of our security, is designed to give the appearance of security. Much like fences, all this does is keep honest people honest and make the bad guys work a little harder.

One of my favorites was the business traveler who was arrested at Atlanta airport for having a loaded .38 in his bag. The only problem was that he was actually on his way home and had carried the weapon through security in Tampa and Atlanta the day before. Clearly he was not a threat but that makes no difference.

[TheHappyWanderer]

Add cpap machines to the list. I travled yesterday and was told by the TSA that now our machines will have to be removed from their small suitcases and placed on the belt. What the heck could they see there that they can't see via x-ray in the bag???

[Krazy Kruizers]

But now you will be able to carry small lighters again!!

[PennyAgain]

Thanks for the heads-up, I,m traveling Sat am at 6 am - now I'll go and make sure my ipod is on top in my carry on. They seem to try to announce these things to generate maximum confusion - people still don't get it with regard to the zip-loc bags.

IPods disappear! I keep my IPod in a zippered pocket inside my carry on bag. I don't want it to go missing!

[Dolphins]

Another reason why all our future cruises will only be out of New York. Our sympathy goes out to those cruisers who must fly to a port. No more flying for us.

[FlorenceItaly]

While I applaud the attempt for security measures, I too, am getting to where I don't even like to fly anymore. Currently my cruise port of choice is San Diego because I can get a non-stop there. A non-stop flight makes flying a little more bearable. And, the San Diego pier is a dream. It's a few minutes from the airport(hassle free).

Perhaps one day I will give up flying all together, and oh won't my dh be happy about that, lol :).


Marie

[yiddishkopf]

Before I retired I worked for a non-profit that was based in Israel and flew there once or twice a year. El Al's Security can be a long process, but they have never had a hijacking! The USA could improve security by taking lessons from Israel.

Last year, my SO and I flew to Aukland for the Statendaam cruise from Auckland to Sydney. We flew on Air Tahiti. The rule at the time, January of 06, was that one could carry scissors that were less than 4 inches. Jack, my SO, had small scissors and nail clippers and he was allowed to take it all on the plane. We had a 2 hour layover in Papeete and on entering the airport, all these items were confiscated. Why? Would he have hijacked the airport? We had already been on the plane for almost 8 hours, BUT COULD NOT CARRY THESE ITEMS INTO THE AIRPORT!

Go figure.

[OldCodger73]

Usually when incomprehensible rules like these come down, the people who are the most confused as to what is or isn't covered are the TSA screeners themselves. OK, where do DSLRs and other digital cameras, iPods and other .mpg players and photography items like PSDs (Portable Storage Devices) fit? I'm sure you'll get a different answer from each TSA screener.

Hopefully in 2009 sanity will be restored. In the meantime those of us who have flights later this year will suffer further delays at the security line and won't be any safer from terrorists.

[sail7seas]

I can't imagine how many items are left behind at screening stations because we can't keep track of all the different piles of things we need to collect after being screened.

With the new rules, when flying in cold weather, we will have to gather up our coats, shoes, belts, carryon bags, our one quart zip locs with our 3 ounces of gel or liquids, a lady's pocketbook, video game, video camera, a laptop, i-pod, dvd player, briefcase..........

It's impossible to keep track of everything we have to gather. Like the others have said, can't these items be seen by x-ray in our carryon bags?

I don't pretend to know why puting the ipod in a separate bin permits better scanning----maybe it does??? But I do think it is a great lace to lose everything of any value.

[bicker]

So easy to criticize. :rolleyes:

[sail7seas]

I'm curious, Bicker.......

Which of you in the photo is the poster? Or is it someone else altogether? :)

Of course, if you don't wish to respond, I will certainly understand.

[PennyAgain]

I can't imagine how many items are left behind at screening stations because we can't keep track of all the different piles of things we need to collect after being screened.

With the new rules, when flying in cold weather, we will have to gather up our coats, shoes, belts, carryon bags, our one quart zip locs with our 3 ounces of gel or liquids, a lady's pocketbook, video game, video camera, a laptop, i-pod, dvd player, briefcase..........

It's impossible to keep track of everything we have to gather. Like the others have said, can't these items be seen by x-ray in our carryon bags?

I don't pretend to know why puting the ipod in a separate bin permits better scanning----maybe it does??? But I do think it is a great lace to lose everything of any value.




In the midst of a recent scramble at the TSA at DFW Terminal D, someone walked off with my purse. I started asking the TSA people where it was. The men said it hadn't come out of the machine as yet. One of the female screeners said it wasn't in the machine and started looking at passengers for it. An elderly man had picked it up thinking it belonged to his wife! I got my purse back, but he didn't say he was sorry for scaring me half out of my wits.

More to worry about!

[sail7seas]

I'm so sorry that happened to you, Penny. I would have been frantic.

That is the point I was making. By the time we get to gather up all of our things, it's hard to even recognize immediately if we are missing something.

It isn't as though we can just put them in our checked bag and be sure we'll ever see them again.

Anything of value has to be carried with us and some of those things we want the use of if we are stuck in an airport for hour after hour.

[RevNeal]

They don't include iPod in the list?
Then my iPod stays zippered in my laptop bag. My laptop comes out to go through the scanner by itself, but my bag goes through too with the iPod in it. If they want to send it through separately, fine ... but until I hear differently, I don't put it through on it's own. It's too easy for them to grow legs.

[PatsyAnne]

Repeat after me -
"ooooommmmmmmmmm, oooooommmmmmmm, oooooooommmmmmm"

Leave early... take favorite books and puzzles... enjoy people watching.

Trish

[OldCodger73]

So easy to criticize. :rolleyes:

Especially when it is warranted!

[OldCodger73]

There's an active thread in the American Airlines board on FlyerTalk where people are reporting that some screeners are demanding all electronic gadgets be inspected even though most are listed as exempt in the TSA guidelines posted on their site.

Hopefully things will have been sorted out by the time I'm flying in 10 days.

[CruiseBumm]

Thats why when we travel together my DW goes first and I follow right behind to help keep and I on our belongings. Every little bit helps.:o

As ar as lap top cases go, there are case today that can make it hard to xray. Some of the meterial have very dense fibers and make it hard for xrays. Well it sounds reasnable or does it?:p

[TedC]

And while we're being groped at the airport at great expense unknown numbers of people are pouring through our very porous borders - six years after 9/11 !!!!!

[Tinknock50]

I see they still prohibit meat cleavers, flare guns, cattle prods, blackjacks, brass knuckles, dynamite, hand grenades and cordless portable power saws.
Dang,,,,that means I will have to re-pack.:mad:

[bepsf]

And while we're being groped at the airport at great expense unknown numbers of people are pouring through our very porous borders - six years after 9/11 !!!!!


Hmmm - I wonder if they have to unpack their luggage & remove their coats and shoes at Tijuana or El Paso?
:rolleyes:

[TheHappyWanderer]

When I flew last week before the new regs they were peculiar about a lot of things. Before I could put my flip flops and wallet in one bin. Last week they demanded shoes first and were hand-placing them on the scanner rollers.....why in the world wouold they want to be handling all those shoes????? EEWWW! And then my wallet went all by itself in a bin and my HAT! in another. And you should have seen the production for my DH with his knee brace....neoprene with metal hinges. He knew it would set off the machine and knew to expect a secondary search....but what he went through was obscene. He was wearing shorts so the brace was right there out in the open so the TSA could see immediately what was setting off the machine and he was cooperative about steping aside to be "wanded." But did the TSA stop there after wanding him thoroughly and finding the beep ONLY on the brace hinges? Noooooooooo.He proceeded to get the little drug-sniffer wand thing and ran it up the legs of his shorts and around his whole crotch......and this was right out next to the screening line. Ridiculous!

[FR926]

I live in CT so I have been using Boston and NY as my cruise ports. It really made me mad when I saw that the Noordam will not be going out of NY in 2009. I gues I will have to go over to Royal Cribbean to get to the Caribbean since they have the Explorer of the Seas going out of NJ year around. I just cannot go through the hassels of Flying. I am waiting till they say we have to remove all our clothes to go through security.

[pms4104]

Thats why when we travel together my DW goes first and I follow right behind to help keep and I on our belongings. Every little bit helps.:o
When we travel together, I send my husband thru first and I lag behind with all our stuff til he's walked thru and is ready to round up our stuff as it comes thru the machine. If he's delayed, I let others go ahead of me til he's available to grab our stuff. Makes it easier to keep track of everything ... and deter checkpoint thievery.

[Chivalrygirl]

In the midst of a recent scramble at the TSA at DFW Terminal D, someone walked off with my purse. I started asking the TSA people where it was. The men said it hadn't come out of the machine as yet. One of the female screeners said it wasn't in the machine and started looking at passengers for it. An elderly man had picked it up thinking it belonged to his wife! I got my purse back, but he didn't say he was sorry for scaring me half out of my wits.

More to worry about!

That is the one thing that totally freaks me.....because of exchange rates we tend to travel with quite large amounts of cash. I go into panic attack the minute my purse disappears from my sight and I am at the other end panting, waiting for it to re-appear. I have in the past been reprimanded for my actions, I usually end up muttering something like 'bloody yanks', reading these posts its nice to know I am not on my own, and some folk are not 'bloody yanks', just very nice ones :D

[Wini18]

Just curious - we'll be flying home from New Zealand in October and we were wondering if the same rules apply regarding lotions, liquids, etc. when you're flying from out of the US. I really hate having to put the larger bottles in double plastic then in the luggage to send through onto the plane. We're used to being able to have all that stuff in our carryons. :confused:

[pms4104]

Let me preface by saying I'm not trying to be snotty about the original post ... however, I've done a Google search for references to this change, and all that comes up are Cruise Critic threads and a Flytalk forum. Also poked around on the TSA website and do not see any information there about changes in how electronics are handled at the checkpoint.

Can someone post a link to an official news story or gov't press release as it pertains to the current topic?

[bishop84]

Just curious - we'll be flying home from New Zealand in October and we were wondering if the same rules apply regarding lotions, liquids, etc. when you're flying from out of the US. I really hate having to put the larger bottles in double plastic then in the luggage to send through onto the plane. We're used to being able to have all that stuff in our carryons. :confused:

The rules apply to all flights domestic or foreign to and from the US, UK and a lot of other countries. :(

[jaja]

I have not flown in a few years--and have no desire to do so...
that is why I have taken cruises (out of NYC) for last 2 vacations..it has been convenient for me...(2 carnival and 1 HAL for 2008)--but now I am out of destinations for both lines....
what to do.............
janette (jaja)

[pms4104]

To clarify: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/sop/index.shtm ... scroll past the info on lighters.

I know this thread has been posted many, many places on these boards ... and FlyerTalker was kind enough to provide the link on the Cruise Air board. Hopefully this will put some minds at ease, as it indicates clearly what will be impacted by the new screening regs.

[Chivalrygirl]

Just curious - we'll be flying home from New Zealand in October and we were wondering if the same rules apply regarding lotions, liquids, etc. when you're flying from out of the US. I really hate having to put the larger bottles in double plastic then in the luggage to send through onto the plane. We're used to being able to have all that stuff in our carryons. :confused:

NZ and Australia now enforce all the same rules to keep sweet with the US. You need to have the little plastic bag and nothing over 50 mls in it. However, when you arrive on the west coast, if you are leaving the aircraft and not boarding another one you can carry duty free liquor and perfumes etc. bought from NZ duty free after you have passed through customs and immigration.

[ekerr19]

I don't understand why they would differentiate between electronic devices... :confused: What is the difference between a small digital camera and an ipod?

Any more, I can hardly stand going through security at airports - they're all different too.

A couple weeks ago, I had to pick DD up at the gate (unaccompanied minor) and the hassle caused by these folks traveling with their kids - every single kid had a belt, cell phone, ipod or something that beeped every time they went through - some of them went through 3-4 times! I was surprised to see that the parents were just clueless. Once they finally got through, they stood right in the way of everyone else to tie their shoes and put their belts back on, etc... argh! Frustrating.

I go through with a minimal amount of stuff anymore - and shoes that slide on and off easily. My family and I are always ready by the time we get to the trays - belts, cells, keys, etc. all out and ready to go.

[seaisme]

just had a flight on July 31 and TSA told me that starting August 4 I would have to take out my DVD player...but they didn't make me take it out right then. wondering if they will make you take out your $9.99 "electronic" hand held Scrabble or Casino game???

Agree with others, so easy to lose something at security. Left a good coat this year at security, called as soon as I got on the plane (before takeoff)...but they couldn't find it.

As for those who carry a lot of cash with them, suggest putting it in a pocket and walking through the security with it (we carry large bills...just go to the front desk to obtain smaller bills once on the ship). That's what we do when cruising. It's paper, so doesn't set off anything...and then when we get on the plane, put it in our carryon/purse.

Have found that the TSA are on the most part very nice, as long as you're nice to them. Just be prepared. Smile. Don't grumble, frown, or make sarcastic comments. And if you happen to be the unlucky person who gets a TSA who thinks they have been trained by Hitler, KEEP SMILING. I witnessed one passenger who (rightly) got upset and missed their flight. Some people just don't know how to handle power or have other issues. We can only control our own actions/reactions. And remember, if they get really "out there", you can refuse to be screened in public and ask to be taken to a private area and have a supervisor present for the screening.

[pms4104]

Any issues at the checkpoint ... ask to speak with a TSA supervisor. Further, that supe can provide a comment/critique form that allows you to more fully express your displeasure (or pleasure) about the treatment you've received.

[MSammy]

Yikes Penny! That really s$##s! I feel like I have to stripe naked everytime I go through security. Now here's my chance to get flamed: I believe 100% in profiling. Next time a 50-year old white woman blows up someone or something I will gladly and without complaint subject myself to any "search" they deem necessary. Until then...

[cruznon]

DH and I have decided we will not fly again unless an absolute necessity. We'll drive to a port or we'll not go. Flying today is a nightmare--security, long lines, weight restrictions, lost luggage, torn luggage, delays, crowded planes...ugh!
Usually by the time we get through the security ordeal--shoes off, belts off, 18 different bins to hold all items(laptop, cell phone, shoes, loose change, coat, purse, etc) SEPARATELY, show boarding passes for second or third time AFTER entering security line, a personal TSA check count of the liquid items in the little zip lock bag, I feel rushed trying to put on shoes, belt, not forget anything, to get everything back in carry-on/purse (so it fits)and get out of everyone else's way coming behind me!

So,uh, where did bicker go???

[infohunter]

....they stood right in the way of everyone else to tie their shoes and put their belts back on, etc...

While this may be frustrating..... think of some of us that have various issues. In my case I can walk without my cane through the x-ray but depending on the day I may not be very steady. On top of that the knees don't always bend. So here I am at trying to take off my shoes and then put them on the conveyor. Take out the laptop.... take out my cpap.... now take out the other electronics and make sure that they are all separated. Don't forget to take out your zip lock bag of the little liquids ;) I then pray that I don't beep.... as I hate being separated from my stuff as it comes out from the conveyor.

Hopefully I'm with the husband so that he and I can play catch with our items on the other side.

On the other end I then gather up the stuff that the hubby has put through and then I have to stand there to put things away and put on my shoes. No way can I gather everything up and walk to the chair which is outside of the TSA area. I have to know that I have everything first.... then get the shoes on. Of course there never is a chair available by the conveyor belt. So I do a lean to slip on the shoes. I usually wear my comfort mocs that are easy slide on and slide off but it still takes a moment to do. Make sure the hubby has his stuff and that all is well.....

Then and only then we will leave the area!!!

The times that we were rushed we found we were missing items. The last time was my husbands glasses. Ends up he put the case in his top pocket and then in bending over to tie his shoes the case fell out. Even though it was less than 5 minutes TSA had no clue where they were, if they were picked up by anyone, turned into lost and found, or what. They may be watching what goes through the conveyor belt but they really don't care who picks up what as they walk away.

I personally don't care how long it takes.... I will not be rushed by TSA or by other passengers. I tell people that get behind me in line that I have lots of electronic stuff and that I move slow.... and that they might want to consider another line as I don't want to inconvenience them.....

However.... I've been thinking..... about using some type of crepe paper in a bright color to lay across each bin so we know which are ours and so others don't touch. Also thinking of pinning a note to my back that says...
***CAUTION***
SLOW MOVING PERSON
Delays will occur!

Thank you for your
understanding and patience

And yes I am sickly sweet as I go through the lines and the xray to all.... including TSA.

Sorry for the rant but I hate having to go through security. Probably won't feel that way if I felt it was doing any good. Too many holes in the system. It's just a dog and pony show to say.... see we really are keeping the skies safe.....

[GadgetGod]

Of course your mileage may very, but the new regulation should affect very few people. It is for “full size electronics” not portables (like DVD players, PMPs, iPods, etc. ) I often travel with a scary amount of electronic gadgets, and for the most part the TSA (at least in Hartford) is no change for me.
From the TSA website, items that need separate screening:
Laptops
Full-size video game consoles (like a Xbox 360 or Wii)
Full-size DVD players
Video cameras that use video cassettes
CPAP breathing machines
The laptops and Video cameras have been on the screening list for a while, so the “big” change is full size components (the type used in home theater set ups).

Hope that helps and sets some minds at ease. Even my carry-on, that always has at least 6 or more electronics gadgets (and sometimes a bunch of wires, extra batteries, etc., etc.) rarely gets a search, and other then my laptop I did not need to pull anything out for separate screening.

[PurpleCow]

Last time I flew (this past June) I put my few little liquid and gel items in a quart size plastic bag before I left DD's house. I tucked the baggie in an outside pocket n my purse so that it would be easy to find at security. I forgot about the bag. My Purse went through the x-ray and I didn't notice I had failed to show the baggie to security until I got home. Airport was in Louisville.

[TheHappyWanderer]

I hate it that we have to remove our cpap machine now. They travel with us in their little travel suitcases....never in any luggage or bags. Now why in the world would they have to be taken out of their cases? They are not like laptops....they don't have any potential function that the xray machine would not see while going through the scanner. Many of thse regulations seem to be desgned to create fear, not provide any additional safety to the flying public.

[Aunty Pat]

I just checked the TSA web site and here is what it says:

Effective August 4, 2007, laptop computers, full-size video game consoles (for example Playstation®, X-box®, or Nintendo®), full-size DVD players, and video cameras that use video cassettes must be removed from their carrying cases and submitted separately for x-ray screening. Laptop computers and video cameras that use cassettes have long been subject to this policy.

What Needs to be Screened Separately
Laptops
Full-size video game consoles
Full-size DVD players
Video cameras that use video cassettes
CPAP breathing machines
Small and portable electronic items do not need to be removed from their carrying cases.

So my i-pods is safe as long as the security screeners know the difference between "full size" and "small".

[Host Walt]

NZ and Australia now enforce all the same rules to keep sweet with the US. You need to have the little plastic bag and nothing over 50 mls in it. However, when you arrive on the west coast, if you are leaving the aircraft and not boarding another one you can carry duty free liquor and perfumes etc. bought from NZ duty free after you have passed through customs and immigration.But if you are boarding another aircraft; say you arrive in LA from Auckland, and you are continuing on to Chicago, that duty free booze you bought in Auckland will need to be put into your checked luggage in LA. You will not be permitted to carry it on the domestic portion because you will be checking in and boarding just as if you were starting your trip in LA.

In other words, make sure you have room in your bag and your weight allowance before buying that bottle in New Zealand.

[Scrumpy]

I'm reading about CPAP machines, but I was wondering if anyone on here had to remove their TENS/EMS Unit for security? I was reluctant to put mine in our checked bag, but didn't see anything about them at the TSA site. I admit that I only skimmed the site and can go back and do a proper search if no one knows off-hand. I think I'll call the company on Monday and see if I also need a prescription to carry my unit with me. I really don't want to leave it at home, but I am very concerned about what might happen if it goes into checked luggage.

The TSA folks at our airport ALWAYS seem to search my luggage. At least the last three flights in a row they've gotten in there and it's been an issue that's aggravated me for years; it is THAT common. (Must be some extremely dangerous 40-something housewives out there, LOL)! I used to use cable ties and they never replace them either, so what was once a minimally secure bag becomes an unlocked bag. I'm picking up more TSA locks, btw, so that shouldn't be as much of an issue in the future. However, they do SWITCH TSA locks. Our first TSA lock was used ONCE and when we got to our destination, a different TSA lock was on there. Oh well, at least the key still worked!!! :)

[ILVMM]

~ ~ You're not going to have to worry about any of the stuff going on at the airport if you don't get your passport in time!

[RuthC]

I hate it that we have to remove our cpap machine now. They travel with us in their little travel suitcases....never in any luggage or bags.
I agree! I don't know about yours, but my CPAP fits in it's little case just so. It's a real pain to pack. Then I place it in my carry-on with meds, make-up and jewelry. It's like a jig-saw puzzle to get it all together. And now I'm going to have to take it all apart! And then repack! :eek:
For years now I've had to open my carry-on because of the CPAP. They've done a manual check and all went (more or less) fine. I'm not looking forward to my next flight in September. :(

Since this thread started while I was cruising I never got a chance to read it. Very enlightening. And, please indulge me, I have to tell you about going through screening at Logan heading to that cruise:
I notified the man at the beginning of the line that there was a CPAP in the carry-on so it would need a hand inspection, and that I couldn't take my shoes off to walk through---I would need a hand wand. He seemed nice enough about it. But the man at the security screen was screaming at me to take my shoes off. I kept trying to tell him that I had already explained, and, .... But it wasn't doing any good.

But I haven't gotten to the "good" part.

Seems that my carry-on set off some kind of beep when it went through. So, what do you think the solution was? Do you think they wanted my carry-on to be opened? WRONG! I had to be patted down! Right there in front of everyone! :mad:
(In the meantime there's no one to watch my stuff.)
I was crying by then.

The problem is in the carry-on so they frisk me? :eek: Where's the sense in that? :rolleyes:

[dfish]

I read that one of the reasons they may be requiring us to take our CPAPs out and send them through the screener is because of the number of false positives they got when they swiped them. It seems some cosmetics contain substances that give a false positive. If you pack your CPAP after putting on moisturizer or hand cream it can get on the CPAP unit and cause a problem.

Ruth, your experience at Logan reminds me of mine at Charles DeGaulle. I was in an air cast and using crutches due to a foot injury in Paris. Air France did not come through with the wheel chair that I had requested so I had to walk what seemed like two miles through the airport. I had to go through screening again since I was going from a domestic to an international flight. The screener took my aircast off and took away my crutches to send through the machine and then expected me to stand on one foot and hold my arms up so she could wand me. She was quite upset at me for not being compliant. It took three of us to convince her I would fall and injure myself further before she relented and gave me back the cast.

[Gsel]

Scrumpy,
I have a unit very much like a TENS (a device for migraines from ANS) and I just took it thru security at DFW and SJC in my carry-on bag with no questions asked. I had my ID from the company in my hand with my boarding pass and driver's license just in case, but they didn't even ask to see it.
Barbara

[rangeley]

We just got back from Tampa. No one asked us to remove anything from our carryon bags. With x-ray machines i see no need to. However when we got home there was a TSA paper in one of our checked bags saying they went through our bag. A plastic bowl we had for our service dog was broken and a shampoo bottle in a ziploc bag somehow leaked!! We had toiletries,medical things(fiance is in a wheelchair) and my underwear and bras were in there. With x-ray machines I see no need to be searching my undies!!!! I was very grossed out at the thought of someone doing that!!! I'm glad everything was clean in there. I see no need for this, has anyone else had this problem???

[Gsel]

This is SOP with the TSA and don't feel like you were pick on. They supposedly pick suitcases at random and will search them no matter what they see on the x-ray. They leave the TSA note behind to let you know they have searched your bag. Your service dog's bowl could have broken no matter if they had searched or not and the bottle could have leaked due to altitude. This is all because of some terrorists who would love to cause havoc!

[Scrumpy]

Thanks Barbara! I don't know what you mean by an id from the company. I'll call them and see if I can get a copy of the prescription for it and if not, I can get one from the doctor's office.

Rangeley - I've had TSA roll UP my solid deodorant crushing it into the cap and causing it to break into small pieces when I tried to use it. I'm anal-retentive about that kind of stuff and always roll them DOWN as far as they go and also replace the original, internal cap - so I know someone actually examined my deodorant. Too weird. It was inside a baggie, then inside my cosmetic case, so it wasn't a quick search. What I do now is pack almost everything in plastic bags or baggies. I have them from snack size to the (huge) 5 gallon size. I don't like having my undies pawed through either and before we got new x-ray machines here, they hand-searched all the luggage. (They still always seem to search mine anyway). I'm sorry your things got broken, but that has happened to us, too. I used to automatically think it was because something wasn't properly packed but after years of experience, I think we're doingit right and I notice it happening when TSA has been in the bag. They do not re-pack carefully, so things are more apt to be broken. My last trip, things were in the bag willy-nilly. Nothing at all like how I packed them personally. Sigh... :(

[Bill S]

Whenever I am flying somewhere AND when I take my 35mm digital SLR camera, I use a single strap/sling style backpack made by Lowepro as my "personal item". In addition to the padded compartment for the camera & lens, it has 4 additional padded compartments which I use to carry my small electronic goodies (mp3 player, gps, smaller digital camera, alarm clock, etc). The entire compartment opens with a zipper, giving quick/ and easy access. It is small enough to fit under the seat in front of mine while still giving some foot room.

Here is a link to the Lowepro website and page for this bag:
http://www.lowepro.com/Products/Sling_Bags/Designed_for_Digital/SlingShot_200_AW.aspx

[ger_77]

I had to be patted down! Right there in front of everyone!

Unfortunately a lot of the people working as screeners don't have an ounce of common sense or common courtesy. Obviously you must have looked like someone who was going to take out an entire plane-load of people otherwise why would they have patted you down?:rolleyes: (shakes her head sadly)

The "pat-down" is the reason I stopped wearing an underwire bra (I know, too much information) for flights - I've had a lot of women screeners way too friendly with me; in the past the attention like that was preceeded by a nice dinner and a bottle of wine - not at the security section of an airport! And don't get me started about the treatment DH gets for his wired-together sternum from open heart surgery. Oh yes, he - like you Ruth - must look like a seriously deranged passenger as he is always given the full treatment - belt off, undo the shirt buttons, pull up the t-shirt, practically having to strip off every time. I've told him the next time we fly, I'm putting him in one of those white TYVEK jumpsuits that prisoners wear and a pair of crocs, and that's it!

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)
Gerry

[Gsel]

Scrumpy,
When I received my implant with my ANS unit they gave me an ID card that identifies me as having an implant. It has my doctor's name, his phone number and the ID number of my representative with ANS. There is the potential that I could set off the metal detectors at the airport and even before I get on the ships because of the metal wiring in my body. The funny thing is there was a gentleman before me one day at Love Field in Dallas who had a pacemaker. TSA put him thru all sorts of problems, they patted him down made him take off his shirt, even questioned him about the batteries in his chest. They took one look at my ID card, said what a wonderful invention and passed me right thru. You never know about TSA, next time they might want to check every inch of my wires, sure hope not!

[mlang]

Last year we followed all the TSA rules & went smoothly through security. But when we got home our luggage was lost from American Airlines . When we received it at 5:30 A.M. the clothes in one suitcase was a mess and many of our things taken. If you have no receipts for items over $100, you get nothing from them. The airlines are the worst. We try to on cruises leaving from the New York area to avoid them. I was so pissed.

[billsrobb]

I admit I did not read all the posts but I know that CPAP machines are to be checked separate. Is that still the case?

Robb

[dfish]

Yes, Robb, that has been my experience for the last couple of years.

Debbie

[m steve]

next they will ban crucifix's as it could be a weapon if held like a sword. I've seen some real big ones. The Terribly Stupid Agency is a waste of money and time for travelers. Most of the screeners rarely look carefully at the monitor and most can't speak coherent English. Profilers should look more closely at them.

[Jade13]

Effective at 12:01 a.m., Saturday, August 4, the TSA will require travelers to remove the following items from their carry-on bags and submit them for separate screening: video games, video cameras, DVD players and CD players. They will now be treated like laptop computers. You'll have to remove them from your carry-on and run them separately through the X-ray machines.

Note, this is not supposed to mean all electronics, but I'd expect some screeners to take this a step further while they're all getting to understand the rules, especially since the early notices to the screeners said all electronics. For the next few days, you may want to minimize the amount of electronics you carry onto the plane.

You MAY still carry these items - you'll just need to separate them out from the rest of your carry ons when you go through security.


I just flew this morning and its not a big deal. Anything of value is already in my carryon. Thwy also want you to take out the plastic bag with any liquids - small hairspays, lip gloss etc. It is only supposed to be one bag per person, so Dh gets to take the second one though the xray machines.

[Jade13]

just had a flight on July 31 and TSA told me that starting August 4 I would have to take out my DVD player...but they didn't make me take it out right then. wondering if they will make you take out your $9.99 "electronic" hand held Scrabble or Casino game???

Agree with others, so easy to lose something at security. Left a good coat this year at security, called as soon as I got on the plane (before takeoff)...but they couldn't find it.

As for those who carry a lot of cash with them, suggest putting it in a pocket and walking through the security with it (we carry large bills...just go to the front desk to obtain smaller bills once on the ship). That's what we do when cruising. It's paper, so doesn't set off anything...and then when we get on the plane, put it in our carryon/purse.

Have found that the TSA are on the most part very nice, as long as you're nice to them. Just be prepared. Smile. Don't grumble, frown, or make sarcastic comments. And if you happen to be the unlucky person who gets a TSA who thinks they have been trained by Hitler, KEEP SMILING. I witnessed one passenger who (rightly) got upset and missed their flight. Some people just don't know how to handle power or have other issues. We can only control our own actions/reactions. And remember, if they get really "out there", you can refuse to be screened in public and ask to be taken to a private area and have a supervisor present for the screening.

My stepson works for the TSA.

[pms4104]

Three weeks and some 65 posts later ... 'tis a shame that the OP started a thread with vague information and failed to return to the thread to clarify, leaving up to all of us to sort it out for ourselves and confirm the real/true change in policy. In fact, this identical thread was posted on some 8 or 10 different boards.

My point: when we start a thread with nebulous or misleading info, we ought to take the responsibility to clear up the ensuing misconceptions!

Well ... now I feel better.

[billsrobb]

dfish:

Thanks. I thought that was still the case.

Robb