Airline Packing Tips
There are restrictions on what you can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage. All of your baggage will be
screened and possibly hand-searched as part of the new security measures. This inspection may include emptying most
or all of the articles in your bag. Here you will find tips to help you pack.
Pack Smart
Carry-on baggage is a small piece of luggage you take onboard the airplane with you. You are allowed one
carry-on in addition to one personal item such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase, or camera
case.
TSA will screen any "Carry-on" baggage that will fit through the x-ray machine, however, it is up to each
individual air carrier as to whether the baggage fits the size restrictions for your flight. Please check with the
air carrier prior to proceeding through the security checkpoints.
LABEL your laptop computer. Tape a business card or other identifying information beneath your laptop to
avoid loss or the accidental "exchange" by travelers.
Checked Baggage is luggage you check in at the ticket counter or at curbside. It will not be accessible
during your flight. Please refrain from locking your checked baggage or use a TSA "Accepted and Recognized" lock.
If your baggage alarms and TSA cannot gain access to your checked bag, unrecognized lock may be broken.
Below are a number of tips for packing your checked baggage that will help to speed your trip and ensure that your
checked bag makes the flight with you:
- Don't put film in your checked baggage, as the screening equipment will damage it.
- Pack shoes, boots, sneakers, and other footwear on top of other contents in your luggage.
- Avoid over-packing your bag so that the screener will be able to easily reseal your bag if it is opened for
inspection. If possible, spread your contents over several bags.
- Check with your airline or travel agent for maximum weight limitations.
- Avoid packing food and drink items in checked baggage.
- Don't stack piles of books or documents on top of each other; spread them out within your baggage.
The following general packing tips apply to both carry-on and checked baggage and will help you to move through
the screening process more quickly:
- Do NOT pack or bring prohibited items to the airport. See permitted and prohibited items.
- Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. If your bag will pass through the
X-ray machine more than 5 times ask for a hand inspection to prevent damage.
- Check ahead of time with your airline or travel agent to determine the airline's baggage policy, including
number of pieces you can bring and 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. Remember, 1+1.
- Don't forget to 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 overpacking so that your articles don't spill out if your bag is opened for inspection.
- 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.
- Consider putting 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.
Travel Accessories
If you need travel and accessories to help your pack for your next trip Magellan's have a great selection.
Also see: [ Buying Tips ] [ Travel
Secrets ] [ Travel ebooks ]
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