Friday, June 18, 2010

Carry on Luggage and TSA security

This excerpt came from the Independent Traveler:

Airport Security Confiscates Your Prized Possession
If you plan correctly and make sure everything you're packing in your carry-on bag is permitted on an airplane by the TSA, you shouldn't have any problem getting your luggage through the airport security checkpoint. But if you're a procrastinator who carelessly throws a bag together as the airport van is waiting in the driveway (or if you simply forgot about the rules), you may have some trouble getting through security. So when an officer finds your four-ounce bottle of designer perfume and permanently removes it from your carry-on bag, is it lost forever? Not necessarily.

According to the TSA Web site, "If you bring a prohibited item to the checkpoint you may be criminally and/or civilly prosecuted." Keep this in mind before you start to argue with the guard who is taking away your jumbo-sized tube of toothpaste. It's not worth it. If you try to bring anything through airport security that is not allowed on a plane, or anything that the security guard deems dangerous (no, it doesn't necessarily have to be listed on the TSA's inventory of prohibited items), airport security has the right to take your property and dispose of it. If the security officer has confiscated something that has value to you, politely ask him or her if you can take the item away from the checkpoint. If you're lucky and the officer says yes, here are your options:

If you're certain you have plenty of time before your flight takes off, you can go back to your airline's check-in counter and either check your carry-on bag or ask to have the prohibited item placed in your checked luggage. Keep in mind that you will have to wait in line at the check-in counter and at the security checkpoint all over again, so you may need an extra hour or two before your flight is scheduled to depart. There is no guarantee that the airline staff will be able to help you out, so don't return to the check-in counter unless you have time to spare; otherwise, you may risk missing your flight for nothing.

If you haven't checked a bag and you drove to the airport, take your item to the parking lot and place it in your car. Again, be very aware of how much time you have, especially if you've parked in a lot that is a lengthy walk or ride away from the airport. You will have to wait in the security line all over again.

Did someone drop you off at the airport? If he or she is a very good friend (or someone who owes you a favor), give that person a call and ask him or her to turn the car around. Promise to bring your helpful friend a souvenir from your trip.

Some airports still have storage lockers. If you are lucky enough to be in one that has lockers, you can store your items in the locker for the duration of your trip and claim it upon your return.

I really see a new business opportunity here! Someone should open a shipping kiosk right at the security area so travelers who tried to take things that are prohibited by the TSA can just ship them back home. Obviously, this wouldn't apply to dangerous items but it would work for the expensive bottle of perfume, wrapped gifts and more. Anyone looking for a new business opportunity?

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