Every airline has different rules and regulations. What may be acceptable at one airline, might not be for another one. Finding out these different flight regulations are crucial in how smoothly your airport experience will go.
Preparation is key when planning your next trip. You want to be sure you pack properly so that you won’t experience any hiccups during the airport screening process. Once you get to TSA (Transportation Security Administration), you already have to come out of your shoes, remove belts, and all bags…you don’t want to give them any other reason to hold you up. If you have a family vacation, business trip, or getaway coming up in your near future, be sure you take the time out to check your airport and airline flight policies when booking your next flight. The following are some of the key considerations that you’ll need to bear in mind when planning your trip.
Price of Luggage
The price of your luggage is dependant upon the airline you fly with. For instance, Southwest Airlines allows you to carry two free checked bags, as long as they don’t exceed the length, weight, and height limit. Delta Airlines requires you to pay a fee of $25 to $30 for your first checked bag, and $35 to $40 for a second bag.
When traveling in general, you want to always have extra money with you, because you never know what you might need it for. The price of luggage is one of those scenarios where you definitely want to have extra money. This will pay for your luggage (if you weren’t aware of the fee), and the extra money can cover you for any additional fees you encounter, that you originally weren’t prepared for.
In addition to paying for your checked luggage, it would be a shame to lose your luggage. The possibility of the airport or airline losing your luggage is high. That’s why, whenever you travel, you want to make sure you’re covered. So take the extra time to protect your belongings.
What Time You Should Arrive at the Airport
You generally want to arrive at the airport two hours before your flight is scheduled to take off. This is a good rule of thumb to have when traveling, simply because you just never know what could happen on your way to the airport.
Depending on what time you leave, you could hit rush hour traffic from all the people trying to get home from work, or going to work…you just never know. I’m sure the majority of people would rather get to the airport an hour and a half early, and wait on their plane, versus running through the airport trying not to miss their flight, especially around the holiday. Remember what it was like for Kevin McCallister’s family running through the airport in Home Alone? Once you’ve made it through the chaos of the airport, you can finally get on the plane and take full advantage of your flight.
What You Can and Cannot Carry on the Plane
There are so many stipulations to this aspect of flying, so you want to definitely be sure you check the TSA guidelines on what you can and cannot bring on the plane. If you have anything in your carry-on bag that doesn’t pass TSA, be prepared to say goodbye to it. Here are a few common items travelers always question traveling with:
Alcohol
People can travel with alcohol that has a level of more than 24%, but less than 70%, are limited to 5 liters per person. The alcohol must remain unopened, and in the original packaging, but it has to be in with the checked luggage. Mini bottles (or shooters) are allowed to be carried on the plane, but they have to be able to fit in a sealed, quart-sized bag.
If the alcohol you are wanting to carry is less than 24%, then it can go in your carry-on bag. Any alcohol you want to travel with that is over 70%, which is over 140 proof, cannot be carried on the plane or with checked luggage. That is something you’d want to mail ahead of time before you leave.
Food
Solid food can be brought on the plane and will pass security clearance. Any liquids or food with a gel type of consistency that is larger than 3.4 oz will not pass a security check.
Guns
Guns fall into a special category when it comes to whether or not they can go on the plane. It depends on the type of gun you have, and whether or not it will require special instructions. Toy guns for kids can go with checked luggage, but if you want them on the plane, that will also require special instructions. Any type of firearm that can fire lethal ammunition is required to be stored with checked bags.
Ammunition
Ammunition definitely cannot go on the plane, but it can go in with your checked bags, with special instructions; this is also dependent upon your airline. Small arms ammunition has to be specially packed in boxes made of specific materials. Be sure to check the guidelines for traveling with firearms, and you also want to check the possession of firearm laws, being that they vary from state to state, as well as internationally.
Blood Sugar Testing Kits
If you’re a diabetic traveler, your blood sugar testing kits are perfectly fine to carry on the plane, or in your checked luggage. You will need to let a TSA officer know that you are a diabetic and that you’re carrying your supplies with you. These supplies can include an insulin pump, insulin, and testing strips; these items must be properly labeled.
Some of these items can be carried on the plane, while others would need to be placed in your checked luggage. The items that can come on the plane definitely have restrictions that go along with it. As a traveler, all the rules and regulations that come with traveling can be pretty frustrating, but you have to remember that it’s for your safety and the safety of others… and your safety is what’s most important. Happy travels!