OTOF

New Travel Requirements - Updated September 16, 2001

To ensure the safety of all airline passengers, heightened security directives have been implemented. Please be aware of the following information as you plan your travel:

TRAVEL PLANNING PRECAUTIONS BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT

Check the Status of Your Flight

Flights are limited as carriers resume worldwide operations. As such, check the status of your flight by calling the travel dept. at xxxxxxxxxxx. Please realize that all airline information is subject to change.

Allow Plenty of Extra Time at the Airport

Arrive at the airport at least two to two-and-a-half hours prior to departure for domestic flights. For international flights, please allow three hours.

Bring Proper Identification - your photo ID and proof of travel

Passengers will need to carry government issued photo identification at all times while traveling. For international travel, you will need to present a valid passport. Passengers without proper ID may be denied boarding. In addition to appropriate personal identification, passengers must also hold one of the following that indicates a flight departure for the current date:

1. A boarding pass or paper ticket -or-
2. Printed confirmation for an electronic ticket -or-
3. An airline or agency generated itinerary confirming an electronic ticket

If a confirmed passenger does not have a printed confirmation, or a ticket, they may request a faxed or emailed copy of their confirmation by calling the travel dept.at xxxx or by obtaining a boarding entitlement at the ticket counter prior to clearing security at the airport.

NEW REQUIREMENTS AT THE AIRPORT

Airport Security

Limited access beyond the security checkpoint to passengers only or adult escort of a ticketed unaccompanied minor.
Increased aircraft and airport security inspections including heightened vigilance of unattended bags
Searches of aircraft passenger and cargo compartments
Increased number of uniformed law enforcement and military personnel
Terminal parking will be in designated areas only. Some parking areas may be restricted due to FAA security directives. Unattended vehicles are banned near the terminals. Unattended vehicles near the airport terminals will be towed

Baggage Security

All luggage must be checked in at the ticket counter. Curbside check-in and off-airport acceptance of checked baggage has been suspended.

Due to increased passenger security screenings at all airports, you are encouraged to minimize your baggage (including carryon baggage) to the extent possible.

Passenger Security

No knives or cutting instruments of any length are permitted beyond the security checkpoint (this would include items such as pocket-knives, metal nail files, letter openers, etc)

GuilTTy

All of that makes sense. What doesn't is the fact that ANY knives were previously OK.

Rennen

...in the past but obviously will be now. Here's one problem, though. Virtually anything with rigidity can be fashioned into a weapon capable of inflicting fatal harm in very short order. Just ask a prison guard or warden.

OTOF

been confiscated, sometimes not. Carry a cheap pair now as I never know when they'll be taken and good ones aren't cheap. Looks like doing my needlework on the plane will be a thing of the past.... a shame, it helps the time go by quickly on long flights.

grishfish

utility knives. I guess that stuff is checked baggage now.

Rennen

Flying with you on the plane might not be too bad in that circumstance Den, but think of the fat guy you sat behind or next to on some flight in the recent past. Then again...uh...don't...

GuilTTy

in fact, the creativity that some inmates possess with regards to fashioning "shanks" is sometimes quite impressive. With that in mind, the FAA should also ban all writing instruments above crayons.

GuilTTy

AHHH!! Now you're talking true offensive weapons!!!!

TTinGables

Bottom line is, you need either an impregnable cockpit, so that the plane cannot be used as a guided missile, or adequately armed undercover security on board.

As for our "new" airport security, as someone in the travel business, all I can ask, is, why did it take 5000 people to die for this to be enacted? These security methods have been in place in all western European, and many other countries for years.

And, in other countries, the people manning the scanners, x-ray machines, and security checkpoints are either branches of law enforcement or of the military. NOT, some minimum wage slob hired by the airlines (yes, in this country the airlines are responsible for security in their terminals) or the airport (if those jobs are subcontracted out). Only passport control and customs in this country are branches of law enforcement.

OTOF

with your nose in the newpaper or when you are pretending to be asleep so they'll STFU.