All domestic airlines have worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure that airport facilities and aircraft meet all security requirements.

HOW TO PACK

Airport security screening procedures will be significantly more stringent than before. Items in your luggage and carry-ons that may have passed through before may not be accepted onboard aircraft today. Examine everything that you normally pack in your suitcase and evaluate whether an object could be scrutinized by airport security. (This includes items found in manicure kits, etc.) Consider removing anything that could be perceived as threatening, or may raise suspicion at a security screening checkpoint. No knives of any size will be accepted. Avoid over-packing so that carry-on luggage and checked suitcases can be opened and closed with ease. Keep your contents organized for easy inspection, unpacking and repacking.

GETTING TO THE AIRPORT

Confirm your flight status before proceeding to the airport. Customers are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least two hours before scheduled departure for domestic flights, and at least two-and-one-half hours before international flights.

UPON ARRIVAL AT AIRPORT

Expect restricted airport parking. Do not leave your vehicle or baggage unattended! Aircraft security will be completing thorough sweeps of airport properties. Expect to see an increased presence of law enforcement personnel outside and inside the terminal building. There will be no curb side check-in service.

AT THE SECURITY CHECKPOINT

Access beyond security is now restricted to passengers and employees only. Have your ticket paperwork available, along with your photo ID (Government issued photo ID ONLY; this includes driver's license, passport, etc.) If you have an Electronic Ticket, be sure to bring your e-ticket confirmation to the airport. A printed e-ticket confirmation or paper ticket will be required to go through security. You will not be permitted past the security check-in area without these documents. Be prepared to demonstrate the operation of electronic equipment such as laptops, cell phones, etc. Be prepared for increased passenger and baggage-security screening.

AT THE GATE

Maintain your sense of awareness and keep your possessions with you at all times. Expect to see law- enforcement personnel and dogs. Keep your ticket paperwork and identification on hand and readily available. Expect to see teams of individuals board the aircraft before general passenger boarding in order to sweep the aircraft as an added security precaution.

BE PREPARED TO BE SEARCHED

All travelers are going to have to forfeit some level of privacy to ensure a higher level of safety. Your bags may be opened and searched extensively, you may be physically searched, you may be pulled aside for questioning, or you may be asked to present identification without warning. Traveling with a minimum of suspicious or questionable items is in your best interest.

ONBOARD THE AIRCRAFT

Expect to see random searches of service personnel, flight crews, and equipment. Be patient if your departure is delayed. Passenger boarding and baggage loading are being carefully coordinated by the ground handling crew.

MATCHING YOU... TO YOUR LUGGAGE

Baggage matching, quite common in Europe and the Middle East, is almost non-existent in the U.S. This may change very soon. The tactic requires that every bag checked in be matched to the specific passenger, and that no bags are loaded onto the plane until each passenger is on board the plane. This, along with pre-flight cabin checks, may make for considerable delays after you've already boarded the plane.

CABIN CHECK-INS

Despite all of the airport security measures designed to prevent anyone from boarding with inappropriate items, many airlines will do yet another check once the boarding process is complete. Be prepared to wait patiently at the gate or on the tarmac before take-off.

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS

Many airlines are restricting or prohibiting travel by unaccompanied minors. In some cases they are allowing minors to fly only on non-stop flights; others have banned them entirely, while still others have made no policy changes. Call your airline for more information.

UPON ARRIVAL AT YOUR DESTINATION

Have your luggage receipts available when retrieving luggage for verification. Do not leave luggage unattended.