Holiday Travel Tips for Speeding Through Security Checks

The holidays are stressful enough without worrying about whether you'll be delayed at the security checkpoint as you dash to catch your flight. The Thanksgiving weekend, which is one of the busiest times at U.S. airports, promises to add to the frustrations of holiday travelers. Homeland security regulations may have changed since the last time your travelled so I thought I'd offer a few tips to help you pass through airline security checkpoints undelayed.

• Have your boarding pass and photo ID in your hand ready to present to the security officer.
• Wear slip-on shoes that are easy to take off and put on. All passengers are required to remove their shoes at security checkpoints.
• Remember the 3-1-1- rule. Carry-on liquids must be carried in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and all must fit inside 1 clear 1-quart bag.
• Small belt buckles and rings are usually OK, but don't wear any large metal items that could set off the metal detector. Don't wear your favorite Texas rodeo belt with the big, metal medallion. Leave the metal-studded jacket and boots at home. Put the bangle bracelets in your checked bags. Take off your watch and rings and put them in the pass-through basket.
• Don't overfill carry-on bags. Security screeners must be able to identify all packed items during x-ray.
• Take off and collect all loose metal items well before you reach the front of the screening line so you can drop them in the pass-through basket quickly (or even better, pop them into a clear zip bag and place it inside your carryon bag), including: cell phone, pager, loose change, watch, jewelry.

Items currently allowed include: beverages purchased after screening, 3-ounce containers of pudding or yogurt, tools shorter than 7 inches, knitting needles and crochet hooks, metal scissors shorter than 4 inches, mail files, safety razors, walking canes, umbrellas, one book of safety matches, baby formula, Transformer toys.

Items not allowed include: beverages purchased before screening or larger than 3 ounces, box cutters, gel candles, gel shoe inserts, show globes, spray paint, torch lighters, lighter fluid, tools longer than 7 inches, meat cleavers, drills and bits, golf clubs, ski poles, sabers.

For a complete list of items you can and cannot take through security checkpoints, visit www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel. Click the link to prohibited items. Have a safe trip and a happy holiday. For more travel tips, guides, books, luggage, useful travel aids, etc., visit the Timeshare Giant Store.