• Airports and airlines in conjunction with TSA are expected to continue implementing new security procedures and equipment in an ongoing effort to ensure that air travel is as safe as possible. Because all airports and airlines have different basic security measures and react to specific security threats differently, it is impossible to list a standard set of security procedures to follow. With this in mind, travelers should consider all of the following when traveling. Allow plenty of time to check your luggage and get to the gate. Arrive at the airport at least two hours before your domestic flight and three hours before your international flight. If you are flying domestically from a busy international airport you will want to give yourself some added time. Check further links at our Accent Resource Center

• Double check your purse and bags before you leave home for items that might cause a delay at the security checkpoint. For example, an antique gun, a kitchen knife or purse-sized mace container are all items you may not consider a threat, but will not be allowed through the check-point.

• Do not leave any luggage or bags unattended at any time. Airport personnel are very quick to notice unattended baggage and will have them removed immediately.

• If a stranger asks you to carry-on a package or bag for them or if a stranger offers you a gift, DO NOT accept.

• Ensure your luggage has identification tags inside and out with current information.

• As laptop computers are becoming more popular, so are laptop thefts. A common ruse is for someone to hold up the line at the metal detector after you have placed your laptop on the x-ray conveyor belt. While you are still waiting in line, an accomplice will grab your laptop as it comes through the x-ray machine. To avoid this, place your laptop and other carry-on items on the conveyor immediately before it is your turn to walk through the metal detector.

• Avoid having gifts wrapped with any kind of paper that contains aluminum foil. The foil wrapping prevents the x-ray machine from viewing the contents. As a result, the package must be unwrapped and the contents examined before it will be allowed through the check-point.

• Do not park your car in the pick-up and drop-off lanes then run into the terminal, even for just a minute. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed.

• Be patient. The purpose of security is to ensure safe air travel. All airport, airline and security personnel take security measures seriously. They will be kind but firm.

• Be alert and aware of the people around you and avoid anyone who looks suspicious. Contact airport security if you have, or anticipate, a problem.

• You may be required to provide two forms of identification. One form of ID must have a picture and be issued by a city, state, federal or military source.

• Leave photocopies of your itinerary, passport, airline tickets, prescriptions (including eyeglass prescription), vaccination certificate, and lists of travelers cheques and credit card numbers with a co-worker or family member whom you can contact in the event of loss or theft.

• Guard your passport as if it were cash. Passports are among the most sought-after items on the black market.

• Pickpocketing activity increases sharply when airports are most crowded and delays are common. You may want to move wallets to inside or front pockets and keep a firm grip on handbags.

• Avoid being overburdened with carry-on baggage. Besides being physically exhausting, carrying too much baggage increases your chances of leaving something behind in waiting areas or restrooms. Furthermore, a thief is likely to target travelers who might be distracted by having to corral several carry-on items.

• Before embarking on the trip, familiarize yourself with local customs and laws.

- Always use a credit card while traveling so that you have recourse and tracking.

• Plan ahead to make sure you know where you are going. If you rent a car, ask the car rental company for a road map and directions for arriving at your destination.

• If possible, ensure that your car is equipped with a cellular phone so that you can call for help. Most car rental companies will provide a cellular phone for an additional charge.

• To guard against car-jacking, request rental cars that do not carry promotional stickers or specialized license plates that identify cars as rental cars.

• Do not accept a room located at the end of a long corridor where a mugger might hide. Also decline a first floor room which might provide an intruder easy access from outside.

• Locate fire exits as soon as you arrive at a hotel.

• Avoid occupying the same room on repeated visits to guard against corporate espionage.

American Society of Travel Agents