Airport Security is Necessary
Security checks at the airports are vital for the worldwide aviation system. But they have also the potential to transform traveling with a plane for many people from being an enjoyable leisure experience into chore. This article will show you how to prevent the necessary airport security measures from turning your trip into a nightmare.

There are two security relevant topics you should take care of: Your travel schedule and your luggage.

Airport Security and Your Travel Plan
If you travel from e.g. Manchester to San Diego, you will have several choices: You can look for a direct flight, or for a flight with only one transfer. Or you could look for the cheapest flight, or the flight with your preferred airline. In our example, there is no direct flight from Manchester to San Diego. But you could fly with Delta from Manchester to Atlanta, and connect there to a flight to San Diego. Or you could take a flight or train to London, and fly from there via Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York or other hubs to San Diego. This way you could choose between many connections, giving you flexibility in the timing of your trip, and possibly access to a cheaper fare. But what does that mean for the security of your journey, and how does airport security affect you in these cases?

Although you can check in your luggage in Manchester, and pick it again in San Diego, you will have to pass security screening every time you change a plane. They will have at least to check your hand luggage again, and look for dangerous items. The reason is, that somebody could deposit a weapon in the transit area, e.g. an airport worker, and somebody else could pick it up while changing the plane.

Airport Security and Your Luggage
It can be simple and almost painless to pass the security check at the airports, if you avoid dangerous or suspicious items in your hand luggage, and conform with all regulations regarding the luggage you check in. You have access to your hand luggage in your plain. You cannot carry items, which could be used as a weapon, like knifes, scissors, any tools like screw drivers, hammers, box cutters etc. And you should carry only small quantities of chemicals which could be explosives. I am talking about skin care products, tooth paste, but also beverages, even plain water.
In the luggage you check in, tools and sharp items are allowed. But some items will result in a personal check of your luggage by a security worker: This can be any bigger metallic item, also a battery. Even a glass of honey or olive oil may lead to a request that you should open your box. This is necessary, and cannot be avoided. The fasted and least disturbing attitude is to cooperate with the airport security people, and follow their directions.

Additional Tips
Avoid all jokes about security measures at the airport. If you tell the security officer that in your box is a bomb, he may believe you. And do not leave your luggage unattended. A box left in the airport which does not belong to a person, can result in an alarm, even up to the closure of the terminal by airport security services. And it is at least possible, that you will receive a big bill, if your forgotten piece of luggage triggered the alarm.

Conclusion:
To avoid unhappy encounters with airport security systems, you should fly as directly as possible, with few connecting flights. You should avoid dangerous or suspicious items in your hand luggage. If you have to carry suspicious things in your checked luggage, plan for enough time to pass the check. Never react with anger or stress, if a security official asks you to open your box. Never leave your luggage unattended. Check, whether you carry all luggage before you leave the airport.

You find a list of items you should avoid while flying at the Transportation Security Administration’s website at http://www.tsa.gov

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