TSA - Tips for Traveling With Children, Before You Reach the Airport � Please allow yourself and your family extra time to get through security - especially when traveling with younger children. � Call your airline or travel agent for their recommended check-in times for your departure airport. � Talk to your children before you come to the airport and let them know that it's against the law to make threats such as, "I have a bomb in my bag." Threats made jokingly (even by a child) can delay the entire family and could result in fines. TIPS At the airport � Speak to your children again about the screening process so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Remind them not to joke about threats such as bombs or explosives. � Tell your children that their bags (backpack, dolls, etc.) will be put in the X-ray machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them. � Let your children know that a Security Officer may ask to see Mom or Dad's shoes, but that they will get these back as well. � You may want to consider asking for a private screening if you are traveling with more than one child. We have to screen everyone, regardless of age (even babies), before they can go through the security checkpoint. We will not ask you to do anything that will separate you from your child or children. We specially train our Security Officers and they understand your concern for your children. They will approach your children gently and treat them with respect. If your child becomes uncomfortable or upset, security officers will consult you about the best way to relieve your child's concern. Keep an eye out for kid-friendly lanes. In Denver International Airport for example, our Security Officers talk to the kids, give them a sticker with a smiling face and use hand puppets to entertain them as they go through the metal detector. If secondary screening is necessary, our Security Officers will ask kids to stand on special mats that feature cats and dinosaurs and use a fuzzy caterpillar that wraps around the hand wand, making it friendlier. The Screening Process At the X-Ray � All carry-on baggage, including children's bags and items, must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: diaper bags, blankets, and toys. � All child-related equipment that will fit through the X-ray machine must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings. � When you arrive at the checkpoint, collapse or fold your child-related equipment. Secure items that are in the pockets, baskets, or attached to the equipment and place it on the X-ray belt for inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit such items. � If any of your child-related equipment does not fit through the X-ray machine, security officers will visually and physically inspect it. � Ask a Security Officer for help gathering your bags and child-related equipment, if you need it. Travelers with Disabilities and Medical Conditions Children with Disabilities Parents or guardians of children with disabilities should: � Tell the Security Officer if the child has any special needs or medical devices. � Tell the Security Officer if you think the child may become upset during the screening process as a result of his or her disability. � Offer suggestions on how to best to screen the child to minimize an outburst. � Ask the Security Officer to help you put your and the child's carry-on items on the x-ray belt. � You will not be separated from the child during the screening process. � If your child needs to be privately screened, you should escort the child and remain with him or her throughout the process. � Tell the Security Officer what are the child's abilities are (e.g. can the child stand slightly away from equipment for a hand-wand inspection, walk through the metal detector, or need to be carried through the metal detector by the parent/guardian.) � The Security Officer will not remove the child from his or her mobility aid (wheelchair or scooter.) You are responsible for removing the child from his/her equipment. � If your child can't walk or stand, the Security Officer will conduct a pat-down search of your child in his or her mobility aid, and will visually and physically inspect the equipment. � Infants will remain connected to their apnea monitors while they are screened. Prohibited Items for Air Travel Due to increased security measures, TSA has made changes to the prohibited items list. All liquids and gels, including shampoo, toothpaste, perfume, hair gel, suntan lotion and all other items with similar consistency ARE PROHIBITED from carry-on baggage and the security checkpoint. Please pack these items in your checked baggage. Carrying liquids of any sort to the screening checkpoint will cause you delays, and will most likely result in the item being confiscated. Don't let a prohibited item ruin your trip. You are permitted to travel with most items, but you must put them in your luggage and check them with your airline. Certain items are prohibited from carry-on luggage for the overall security of air travelers. Prohibited items obviously include weapons, explosives, and incendiaries, but also items that are seemingly harmless and may be used as weapons like hammers, bats, or mace. You can also contact TSA via phone and email should you have further questions. TSA Contact Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673 during the following hours of operation (All times are Eastern Standard Time): Monday thru Friday 8 am - 10 pm and Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 10 am - 6 pm You can also visit TSA's website at www.tsa.gov |
Donna Touchette @ Cruise N Travel Experts A Full Service Agency Group Travel & Fund Raising Specialist 928-757-3368 home 928-377-3923 office 928-897-8592 cell A member of: Your Travel Center/Tzell Travel Group Travel Leaders Virtuoso groupspecialist@hotmail.com www.DMTtravel.com www.traveltiptuesday.blogspot.com/ www.girlsonthegoaz.blogspot.com California Sellers of Travel Number 2019108-1010 |
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