Airline Travel

While airline travel may still be one of the safest ways to travel, it is not hassle free. Designed to protect the nation’s transportation system, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) manages airline security and publishes pages of guidelines to help expedite passage through security checkpoints. For more information, check out the TSA Web site.

Pack smart

• Carry-on baggage is luggage that you take on board the airplane with you. Most airlines allow each traveler one carry-on in addition to one personal item, such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase or camera case.

• Checked baggage is luggage you check in at the ticket counter or at curbside. It will not be accessible during your flight.

• Check ahead of time with your airline or travel agent to determine the airline’s baggage policy, including number of pieces you can bring as well as size and weight limitations.

• Carry-on baggage is limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item. Personal items include laptops, purses, small backpacks, briefcases, or camera cases.

• Place identification tags with your name, address and phone number on all of your baggage, including your laptop computer. It is a good idea to place an identification tag inside your baggage as well.

• Avoid over packing so that your articles don’t spill out if your bag is opened for inspection. If possible, spread your contents over several bags. Check with your airline or travel agent for maximum weight limitations.

• Pack shoes, boots, sneakers and other footwear on top of other contents in your luggage.

• Avoid packing food and drink items in checked baggage.

• Don’t stack piles of books or documents on top of one another. Spread them out within your baggage.

• Think carefully about the personal items you place in your carry-on baggage. The screeners may have to open your bag and examine its contents.

• Put personal belongings in clear plastic bags to reduce the chance that a TSA screener will have to handle them.

• Wait to wrap your gifts. Be aware that wrapped gifts may need to be opened for inspection. This applies to both carry-on and checked baggage.

Metal detectors

Any metal detected at the checkpoint must be identified. If you set off the alarm, you may be required to undergo a secondary screening, including a hand-wanding and a pat-down inspection.

Remove metal items at the security checkpoint, and place them in the bins provided. The bins will be sent through the X-ray machine. Save time by not wearing metal items or by placing such items in your carry-on baggage before getting in line.

Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal when traveling. Hidden items, such as body piercings, may result in a pat-down inspection. You may be asked to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search. Avoid items such as:

• Jewelry (pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyard or bolo tie)

• Shoes with steel tips, heels, shanks, buckles or nails

• Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs

• Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration

• Belt buckles

• Under-wire brassieres

Place metal items in carry-on luggage or in the bins provided before going through metal detectors, including:

• Keys, loose change

• Cell phones, tablets, smart watches, headphones, earpods

• Instead, place jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage until you clear security.

• Pack your outer coat or jacket in your baggage when possible. Outer coats including trench coats, ski jackets, leather jackets, overcoats and parkas must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. If you choose to wear an outer coat to the checkpoint, you will need to either place it in your carry-on or put it in the bin that is provided for you. You will not need to remove suit jackets or blazers unless requested by the screener.

Travel Safety and Etiquette

Airline etiquette missteps usually center around luggage, personal space and talking. Follow these simple steps and your flight will be easier for everyone, including yourself.

Boarding

• Don’t expect to carry on excessive luggage or oversize bags. Airlines are enforcing regulations. Security is paramount, and space is limited.

• Carry your bag in front of you as you walk down the aisle. Over-the-shoulder luggage can hit passengers who are already seated. And certainly that tactic can be injurious.

• Store your bag under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin adjacent to your seat. Don’t put your bag in a bin near the front of the plane for a quick exit — it means someone else will have to wait until the entire plane has emptied to walk back to get his or her bag.

• Place your coat and jacket on top of your luggage in the overhead bins. Don’t place them next to your luggage because space is at a premium.

• Sit in your assigned seat. You are not to switch seats.

Settling In

• Don’t hog the armrests.

• Don’t crank up the volume when you listen to music with a Walkman — the loud noise is irritating.

• Don’t recline your seat when meals are served. Space is limited.

• Don’t invade your neighbor’s “personal space.” Be considerate.

• Feet often swell on long flights, and many passengers remove their shoes for comfort. Feet can smell. If you do take off your shoes, please wear slipper socks to contain the wafting aroma. People notice.

Enjoying the Flight

• Don’t be a bore. There is nothing worse than being held captive by a talkative seat-mate. Don’t force your conversation on the person next to you.

• If someone is driving you crazy with their (dull) life story — it is acceptable to tell them you’re too busy, tired, sick or whatever to talk. But don’t be rude. Some people are nervous fliers and talk compulsively.

• Don’t grab the seat in front of you when you get up — it is disturbing to the person sitting there. Use your armrests to get up.

• Don’t kick the seat in front of you.

• Don’t hold conversations across the aisle or from row to row. It is annoying to other passengers.

• Don’t clog up the aisles while the flight attendants are using the food and beverage carts.

• Don’t sleep on your seatmate’s shoulder.

Heading Out

• Don’t jump up and try to be the first one off — unless you’re in the front row. Wait your turn, which will occur in a matter of minutes, and the exiting process will move smoothly for everyone.

• Flight attendants are right — items can shift in the overhead compartments during flight. Be careful opening the bins. Accidents can be nasty.

• Remember to carry your luggage in front of you as you depart.

• Don’t linger in the jetway waiting for your colleagues. Wait at the gate so everyone can exit without delays.