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.
