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Does
this sound familiar? The airline informs you that your
checked baggage is too heavy, and they give you the
option to repack some items into your carry-on baggage.
You agree that's a good idea to avoid the overage
charges. You take out your makeup case and a couple of
other small bags and place them in your carry-on
baggage. Your makeup case has a pair of long sharp
scissors or a Swiss army knife in it, but your main
focus is on the extra cost you are trying to avoid.
You get to the checkpoint, and the x-ray operator calls
for a bag check. The screener discovers the scissors or
knife. You forgot they were in the bag because you were
in a hurry when you were repacking. Now, you have to go
back to the airline and check in one of your carry-on
bags because
you don't want to surrender your expensive knife or
scissors. Once you leave the secured area, you have to
repeat the screening process over again.
I bet this situation rings a bell with some of you. What
a pain to have to go back to the airlines and repeat the
screening process. Remember to ask the screener if you
can have an "exit card" that will expedite you
through the
process. This pass allows you to return to the airlines
ticket counter, bypass the line there, and take care of
unfinished business. Then you can return to checkpoint,
bypass the line there, and take your place back at the
point you left.
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Embarrassing
moments happen all the time. One day a male screener was
conducting a search on a bag that was checked in with
the airlines. This bag was tagged "Heavy,"
which means it was overweight and probably weighed over
70 pounds. He opened the overstuffed bag, and two dildos
flew out and rolled across the floor. Then whips,
chains, and masks spilled out. The passenger was
standing to the side watching with his mouth wide open.
The passenger turned and quickly walked away in
embarrassment. The
screener's face turned shades of red as he quickly
started to gather everything and place it on his table.
The wideeyed passenger said nothing to the screener to
draw attention to himself. I am sure he didn't realize
this would cause such a memorable embarrassing moment
for himself and the screener.
I can safely say there isn't one screener who enjoys
handling other people's personal toys. Place your
personal
items in sealed, clear zip-top bags to keep them sterile
and
protected, then place that bag in a large suitcase. This
should eliminate an embarrassing situation for you and
others.
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Pack all liquids, gels, and
creams in checked baggage. Use TSAapproved
locks to ensure your lock will not be broken. File a
claim if
TSA breaks it by mistake.
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Avoid placing prohibited items in your carry-on when
re-adjusting
the weight in your checked baggage (see Chapters 24 and
25).
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Avoid overpacking your bag so your articles do not spill
out during
inspection.
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Avoid packing food and beverages. Cans and bottles will
certainly
alarm, and your bags will be searched.
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Don't pack wrapped gifts. They may need to be opened for
inspection.
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Do not bring or pack prohibited items (see Chapters 24
and 25).
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Do not put your film in checked baggage. The x-ray
machine will
damage it (see Chapter 10).
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Don't pack electronics in checked baggage.
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Consider putting personal belongings in clear zip-lock
plastic bags
for easy viewing and to reduce the amount of handling by
a screener.
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Don't stack books or documents together; spread them out
in your
bag.
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Pack shoes and other footwear on top of other items in
your luggage.
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Pack your personal toys in plastic zip-lock bags to
avoid contamination.
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Do not pack live animals in your checked baggage (e.g.,
reptiles and
insects).
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