Since Northwest Flight 253 was threatened on December 25, 2009 by a passenger carrying explosives, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and many international governments have imposed confidential air travel security measures that will impact travelers around the world.
We alerts all travelers, especially families with young children who may be carrying gift items or toys, to be prepared for the enhanced and possibly invasive security procedures. As Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano has cautioned, "These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere."
10 Facts Travelers Should Know
* Enhanced security
precautions are in place at all international
airports with flights to the U.S.
* Passengers must arrive especially early for
any international flight as enhanced security on
U.S. Bound flights is affecting all travel
times.
* All carry-on bags are being subjected to extra
security screenings, causing delays at security
gates.
* The Canadian government has banned all
carry-on bags for passengers traveling to the
U.S. because new screening requirements are
causing excessive delays. Only exceptions are
purses, cameras, coats, laptops, musical
instruments, medical devices and items for baby
care.
* TSA urges all travelers to check as much
carry-on baggage as possible but says that items
such as car seats will be accepted on board
flights.
* Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are both
waiving some baggage fees for the mandatory
checked baggage on flights to the U.S. from
Mexico and Canada.
* According to the TSA, all passengers
regardless of age (including minors and
unaccompanied minors) will be subject to
additional screening if selected at random or if
circumstances warrant.
* Secondary passenger screenings are very likely
to include full body pat-downs and manual
inspection of all hand carried items.
* In flight, at the discretion of the pilot and
the individual airline, passengers may be
required to stow all their personal belongings
for any portion of the flight.
* In flight, passengers may be required to
remain in their seats with their hands fully
exposed to view, for any portion of the flight
but most likely, for the final hour of the
flight.
Additionally, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds travelers that, according to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older must present a valid, acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. All air travelers of any age are required to present a passport at time of entry to the U.S.
We suggest that parents discuss these enhanced security procedures with their children prior to travel, and that travelers use the CBP website to check on the estimated waiting times at all U.S. air, land and sea borders before making their travel plans.
According to TSA spokesperson Ann Davis, these security precautions and other undisclosed ones will remain in effect indefinitely.
