Tour DIrector Carrie Fitchett’s Advice for Getting Through the Airport

Dear TSA…

Oh the things I’d like to say to them!

How to survive the process from checking in until you get to the gate…..the most treacherous part of your journey!

Checking in is generally fine, as long as there are lots of smiles and PATIENCE! Be NICE to those people, they decide to charge you extra for your overweight bag or not! They also decide if they’ll change you from a middle seat to a window! So then comes along security!

Okay….here we go.

NO liquids over 3 ounces…none. Don’t forget this…don’t forget the bottle of water in your bag. You can empty that water if you want to keep the bottle and save money on another water though! The rest needs to be in your checked luggage. This also includes SNOW GLOBES! All this being said? Have your liquids that are 3 ounces and under in a Ziploc bag, and take them out of your bag, they need to see them separately. Who knows why, I mean, I write this, but truthfully? I NEVER do this….BUT…you should.

Now, consistency is NOT what TSA is known for. They ask that you ALWAYS take your laptops out of your bag and put it in its OWN bin…THAT never changes. As for iPads, Kindles, portable DVD players, etc…well, sometimes they need to come out, and sometimes they don’t. I don’t know what to tell you on this one, but wait it out.

Take off your shoes. Unless you are under 12 or over 75, the shoes MUST come off! This, is why I wear socks – that floor is GROSS! Think about how many feet have traversed it….or maybe you shouldn’t think like that…

Jackets, scarves, hats, cardigans, etc, they also have to come off. If it seems like you’ll be filling 3 bins each? You will be! One for your laptop, one for your shoes and jackets, and one for your bag AND Ziploc bag of goodies! It’s annoying, but you can’t change it. It’s part of the process and the only way to get through it is with a LOT of patience, and then a pinch more!

Once through….re-buy or refill your water! Hydration is one of the secrets to flying in good health!

Happy Flights! And keep smiling!!!