I haven't flown since 9/11, and will be in a couple of weeks. I know I have to get to the airport early (is 2 hours enough time?), but I remember hearing about security checks and underwire bras... should I not wear one that day? Also, should I wear shoes I can slip in and out of? I was always told not to wear sandals on a plane. Any toiletries I can expect to have confiscated? Any other helpful advice? (It's a short, domestic flight, BTW). TIA

By Jodes on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 04:18 pm:

I would call the airport about exactly how early to get there before your flight, they all have different instructions regarding that. About the bra, I only wear underwire bras, and when I flew, it was fine. I did wear slip on type shoes, it was just easier to take on and off, but my husband and kids wore tennis shoes, they just kicked them off and put them back on afterwards. I didn't have anything removed from my bags, I have heard that sometimes they randomly choose someone to search, but I don't think they actually take anything from you unless it poses a threat. Good luck and enjoy your flight.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 04:26 pm:

One thing - don't carry nail clippers, a pen knife, or anything along those lines in your purse or pockets, and no cigarette lighters or matches. But each airport has its own rules. Start by checking the airport web site (both your home airport and the one you are flying to - since you will have to go through security there to come home).

By Melanie on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 04:31 pm:

Two hours should be fine. Jodes is right, all are different. We have still been fine getting there one hour, but have talked to others who arrived 3 hours before and barely made their flight.

My sister got "felt up" as she described it because she wore an underwire. I would skip that just to be safe. LOL.

Definitely shoes that are easy to get on and off. I have had to remove mine every time since 9/11.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 06:00 pm:

I've flown a LOT this year - 2 hours before a flight, I wear sandals every time (easier to take on and off to go through security), if you take a laptop, you have to take it out of the case, as for the bra and/or jewelry, it depends on the airport. I've worn the same bra (Victoria's Secret) EVERY time this year and the same jewelry several times, and only once did it set off the metal detector - and that was in Miami. DH said that since it's a major international airport, possibly their equipment is more sensitive, or something?

I put all of our meds in my huge carry-on *purse* that I use when flying, it is Xrayed, but nothing is confiscated.

At the New Orleans airport, at least when flying a particular airline, ALL bags are searched upon being tagged and checked in. I always put my panties and bras in Ziplock bags. I just have a problem with strangers touching that stuff. They rifle through the luggage and stuff is not put back neatly, etc.

Another reason to keep all Rx meds with you - we watched on TV recently a show that filmed airline/airport personnel stealing Rx meds from luggage. That's just one reason I keep it with me, the main reason is that *if* for some reason your luggage doesn't make it to your destination on the same plane as you, at least you have your meds (and a change of underwear that I always throw in the carryon too! LOL).

By Vicki on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 06:34 pm:

Hair spray has to be in checked luggage as well as anything that could be used as a weapon such as tweezers, nail clippers etc...

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 09:21 pm:

I had tweezers in my makeup bag in my carry-on - no one said anything to me about it. Maybe I was lucky?

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 11:31 pm:

I wouldn't change a thing...just make sure your socks don't have any holes in them. They'll have you take your shoes off. (They're REALLY anal about that in Vegas for some reason.)

And, at a size D, I'm the queen of underwire bras. (Trust me, I wish I weren't.) Somehow I always get "pulled over" when it comes to the security scan. It's no big deal, really. A woman scans you and you have to put your arms and legs out to make an "X". It's more annoying than anything. Felt a little weird having a woman try to feel around my bra though.

Just give yourself 1 1/2 hours to check in and go through security. Everything will be just fine.
I've been through with nail clippers, scissors, etc. Wear whatever you want and "keep your boarding pass out at all times"...(that's what they say over, and over, and over...)

By Bea on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 12:22 am:

I always wear underwire bras and fly often. I've never had any problems about my bra. The titanium bolts in my jaw set off the metal detector every time though.

By Janet on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 11:56 am:

Since I'm only taking a short "hop" for the weekend, I'm not planning to check any luggage-- I'd planned to just take a carry-on. So should I not pack my hairspray *gasp*?
I'm flying out of a small regional airport, so I'm not too concerned about that, but will be changing planes at O'Hare and KC.
Thanks for all your advice!

By Tayjar on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 12:35 pm:

If you are flying our of Bloomington or Peoria, 1 1/2 hours early is more than enough time to be there. I've flown out of both of these in the past year and the check in was very quick and no long lines. I took non-aersol airspray and tweezers in my cosmetic bag and they were fine.

By Janet on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 01:31 pm:

Dora, now how did you know I'd be flying out of Bloomington or Peoria! LOL Peoria it is...
Here's another thing...yesterday, when I was going to book my flight, the cost was only $200, but by the time I finally got around to it (later last night), the price had jumped almost $40! ACK! Such is the price of procrastination.

By Vicki on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 01:49 pm:

Janet, I would really call your airline and ask about any items that you are in question of. I was looking around on a few of the different airline websites and they all had different information. I am just going by what they were yelling out to us as we were in line to check in for our flight in June to Disney. No hairspray, tweezers, clippers or sharp objects were to be in carry on. If we had any of those, they asked us to transfer them into a bag that was to be checked. Cameras, laptops, film all HAD to be carry on and not checked.

By Tayjar on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 02:13 pm:

Janet, for some reason I assumed you from central Illinois. I can't remember what post it was but you had mentioned something that had happened around here. Oh, it was when the tornado hit Roanoke and the Parson's plant. So, I assumed you probably lived around here.

I agree with Vicki. Just call the airline. They will give you the best advice. Flying out of Peoria was a piece of cake. Getting back I had more thorough searches. Dallas, St. Louis, Atlanta, and Tulsa were all way more thorough.