Air carriers reserve the right to prohibit any item that they consider
to be a security risk.
Contact your airline for more information.
Reminders:
- If you don't need an item during your flight please
pack it in your checked luggage.
- Before leaving for the airport check with your airline
when to arrive for your flight or possible schedule changes.
- While at the airport keep an eye on your bags and personal
items.
- Don't carry items onboard the aircraft for anyone you
don't know.
- Report any suspicious-looking packages or unattended
items to airport authorities.
- Be aware that all items are subject to screening. Ensure
that electronics are operational, for security reasons you may be
required to turn on these devices.
- Leave gifts unwrapped until you arrive at your final
destination. They may be opened for inspection by security staff.
- Be prepared to present photo ID. For international flights,
including flights to the United States, you must present government-issued
photo ID, ideally a valid passport.
- Be aware of any baggage restrictions on domestic and
international flights.
- If you have any additional questions, contact your airline
or travel agent.
Type of luggage
For your checked baggage, use luggage with rollers or casters, making
it easier to transport. Retractable rollers are better since they won't
be pulled off. Use luggage with removable straps since straps can get
caught on conveyor belts and can break or damage your luggage. Make
sure your luggage has a lock that doesn't dangle too much as it too
is prone to catching and ripping.
Marking your luggage
Each piece of baggage must have a name tag with a current address or
contact phone number. An alternative is to mark your luggage with your
e-mail address. Increasingly, cell phones can work anywhere in the world;
so you can also mark your luggage with your number and carry the phone
on your person.
Carry-on luggage
Minimize the impact of lost luggage by taking a well-packed carry-on
bag. Make sure the bag is plain so as not to attract attention from
potential thieves. Your carry-on bag should contain:
- your travel documents and itinerary
- a list of all items in your checked baggage (should
you be required to complete a claim form)
- contact information of friends and relatives (and of
your physician, if necessary)
- a copy of your travellers' cheques and contact information
- jewelry
- power converters and adapters
- a one-night stay package (everything you'll need for
one night in case your bags are delayed or lost)
- your medication (keep pills in original containers to
avoid security problems)
- small denominations of the local currency (handy when
dealing with skycaps, taxi drivers, bus drivers and hotel personnel)
Keeping items neat in your luggage
- Pack liquid items in less than full plastic bottles
since they might freeze and expand when travelling through cold weather.
Place the bottles in freezer bags with a seal to further protect your
items.
- Pack shoes in shoe bags or old socks to keep dirty soles
from touching your clean clothes.
- Bring along a plastic trash bag to keep your dirty items
separate from your other clothes.
- Replace any aerosol cans of hairspray, deodorant, and
insect repellent with the non-aerosol kind.
- To keep your clothes smelling fresh while you travel,
pack a sheet of fabric softener with your luggage.
Avoiding wrinkles
- Don't pack too many items in your bags.
- Pack clothing that's less likely to wrinkle.
- Button up shirts so they'll hang properly when you wear
them.
- Roll up T-shirts or underwear and wrap your items around
them. Keep clothes from creasing by wrapping them at a fold line.
- Use proper-sized luggage. In a bag that's too large,
items will move around, making wrinkles and damage more likely.
- Use plastic dry cleaner bags between items. Avoid dry
cleaner bags with printing on them since the ink can rub off and stain
your clothes.
- When you arrive, unpack as soon as possible.
- Hang wrinkled items in the bathroom while you shower
to steam out wrinkles.
Carrying medication
- Carry medication in your carry-on bag since it's less
likely to be lost than checked luggage. If your medication is temperature-sensitive,
it is also less likely to be damaged in your carry-on bag.
- Carry your medication in their original containers to
prevent security concerns.
- Keep a record of the generic names of your medication
as brand names vary.
- Bring a letter from your physician stating you have
a legal right to use your medication, especially if you're carrying
large amounts.
- Make sure your medication is not classified as illegal
where you're going.
Protecting your film
- All film, especially high-speed film, is vulnerable
to damage when you travel.
- Use special carrying cases designed for protecting film,
since detection devices may damage your film.
- The walk-through portal and wand security devices shouldn't
harm your film, but will harm your digital camera memory cards. We
suggest carrying them with you and putting them in the basket for
hand inspection.
- The best protection for your film is to buy it once
you arrive and develop it there before you return.
