Travel Information
TRAVEL INFORMATION AND TIPS
Air travel can be fun and exciting in addition to being a fast and efficient method for reaching
your destination. Planning ahead, leaving yourself as much time as possible, and being
aware of your surroundings and the items you are traveling with, can help make your trip much
more enjoyable. More than anything else, thorough advance planning will help insure your trip
is successful, and will minimize problems. Listed below are tips and suggestions for making
your trip successful and hassle free!
Air travel can be fun and exciting in addition to being a fast and efficient method for reaching
your destination. Planning ahead, leaving yourself as much time as possible, and being
aware of your surroundings and the items you are traveling with, can help make your trip much
more enjoyable. More than anything else, thorough advance planning will help insure your trip
is successful, and will minimize problems. Listed below are tips and suggestions for making
your trip successful and hassle free!
Before You Go...
If travelling internationally - including to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean - be sure you have a
passport. Confirm new travel document requirements at www.cbp.gov.
Arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure - particularly during peak travel periods such
as holidays and peak hours such as early morning and late afternoon.
Research the latest security guidelines at the TSA website. A link to that website may be
found on the "Links" page of this website.
Follow the TSA guidelines for packing liquids and gels in your carry on luggage. Follow the 3-
1-1 rule: 3 ounce or smaller containers of gels or liquids, packed in a 1 quart size plastic zip
top bag, with 1 bag allowed per passenger.
Place all undeveloped film in your carry on bag, because checked bag screening equipment
may damage film.
If traveling with firearm, please check with your airline for appropriate packing and checking
procedures.
Leave cigarette lighters at home. They are not allowed through security screening.
Arrange for wheelchair assistance, unescorted minor assistance or any other special needs
assistance with your air carrier before you arrive at the airport.
Confirm via the airline or airline web site your flight itinerary and gates. Research via the TSA
web site the latest rules regarding prohibited items and packing.
If carrying on gels etc. in the zip top bag, pack the zip top bag before you leave home!
Assume that neither the airport nor TSA will supply them to you
Do not pack expensive jewelry, cameras, medications, small electronics etc. in your checked
bag. Carry them on the plane with you.
Pack using large zip top bags – i.e. underwear and socks in a zip top bag, etc. to simplify a
possible hand search of your bag and minimize potential loss of items.
If you lock your bag, use a TSA approved lock with the red diamond symbol on it.
LABEL YOUR BAGS – CHECKED OR CARRY ON – WITH YOUR NAME ADDRESS AND
PHONE – BOTH INSIDE AND OUT!!!!!
Give a copy of your itinerary to someone else so if you lose it or forget it, you can call to check.
Also give it to the people picking you up.
If you are sending an unaccompanied minor on a flight, arrange for unaccompanied minor
handling with the airline and pay the fee. It is well worth it.
if you have purchased your ticket on line, and have arranged for hotel and/or car rental and/or
shuttle ground transportation etc., and you are supposed to have a voucher for the car rental
hotel or ground transportation, be sure you print it from the online site BEFORE you get to the
airport. Otherwise, the ground carrier, car rental company or hotel may not honor you
reservation and purchase, and you may have to pay again. Please DO NOT ASSUME that you
can find a computer and printer to use to print your voucher or other travel documents.
On page 5 of your passport, write your name, address phone number and emergency
contacts IN PENCIL - update these changes before leaving.
When traveling internationally, make copies of driver’s license, passport, birth certificates and
other travel documents and carry in different parts of your bags as a back up.
Put your name and phone number on as many items as you can – write them on the zip lock
bags of makeup etc., put your name and number on cameras, small electronics etc.
Be sure you have a number in your cell phone address book titled: home or mom or dad or
brother or sister or emergency contact etc. If you lose your phone, this is the first logical place
people will look for a number to call.
Travel with extra zip top bags. They may not be available at your destination outside of the
country.
Confirm luggage size and weight restrictions with your airline BEFORE YOU GET TO THE
AIRPORT. Some carriers may refuse luggage over 50 pounds and do not assume extra
bags are available for purchase or loan
When making your reservations for flights – pick the earliest flights you can – often the prices
are lower, and if you encounter a problem, the odds of getting on a later flight improve.
Consider traveling on the actual holidays to get better seats and cheaper fares.
When choosing a hotel, choose one either at the airport or in the financial district because on
holidays they often have more rooms and may have better rates at these times.
At the Airport...
Many airlines will stop accepting passengers for check-in 30 minutes prior to departure time,
while some will stop accepting passengers for check-in 40 minutes prior to departure. Be
sure you are at the check-in counter in sufficient time to check in. Confirm your airline's check-
in cutoff policy before arriving at the airport.
At the Security Checkpoint...
Remain aware when going through security screening. Be sure you get all of your items out
of the bins when you leave the security checkpoint. Be sure you put your laptop back in your
laptop bag. IT IS NOT TSA’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT YOUR LAPTOP OR ANY OTHER
ITEMS BACK IN YOUR BAG, NOR TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU HAVE LEFT SOMETHING
BEHIND. (most common left items – coats, keys, cell phones, and drivers licenses)
When you get to the airport, write down where you park (garage, level, row, etc.) and take that
paper with you (don’t leave it in the car). Make sure you do not leave your lights on etc. or you
will come back to a dead battery.
If you are using a tour package (i.e. cruise package or ski package), confirm AHEAD OF TIME
where you are to check in and board, and what actual carrier you are flying on. Often these
are charters who are using another airline’s check in counter and gate.
Be aware of airline code share arrangements. Confirm your gates carrier, etc. ahead of time.
For example, you may have a ticket on Air France, but it may actually be a flight on Delta or
American through a code share arrangement. You may get to the airport looking for and
asking about Air France, when Air France does not fly into your airport, and you are really
looking for a Delta flight.
If you purchase a ticket through a web travel site (i.e. Travelocity, Expedia, etc.) keep in mind
your contract is with them – not the carrier. If you have a problem – miss the flight, get
bumped, flight gets cancelled, etc., the airline in many cases will instruct you to either contact
the web site company for relief, or they may require you to purchase a new ticket at their
prices.
When claiming your bags, be aware of your bags at all times as thefts increase during
holidays periods. Also do not set your purse/laptop down and turn your back to claim your
bag – let your relative keep them or hang on to them.
Remember that if you lose a checked bag – it does not arrive with you – this is an AIRLINE
issue not an airport issue. You will need to file a claim for lost or damaged bag WITH THE
AIRLINE not the airport.
When going through screening, remove your zip top bag from your carry on and place in the
screening bin.
Remove your coats, blazers, jackets etc. when going through screening and place them in a
bin. Remember to pick them up at the end of the screening process.
If travelling internationally - including to Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean - be sure you have a
passport. Confirm new travel document requirements at www.cbp.gov.
Arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure - particularly during peak travel periods such
as holidays and peak hours such as early morning and late afternoon.
Research the latest security guidelines at the TSA website. A link to that website may be
found on the "Links" page of this website.
Follow the TSA guidelines for packing liquids and gels in your carry on luggage. Follow the 3-
1-1 rule: 3 ounce or smaller containers of gels or liquids, packed in a 1 quart size plastic zip
top bag, with 1 bag allowed per passenger.
Place all undeveloped film in your carry on bag, because checked bag screening equipment
may damage film.
If traveling with firearm, please check with your airline for appropriate packing and checking
procedures.
Leave cigarette lighters at home. They are not allowed through security screening.
Arrange for wheelchair assistance, unescorted minor assistance or any other special needs
assistance with your air carrier before you arrive at the airport.
Confirm via the airline or airline web site your flight itinerary and gates. Research via the TSA
web site the latest rules regarding prohibited items and packing.
If carrying on gels etc. in the zip top bag, pack the zip top bag before you leave home!
Assume that neither the airport nor TSA will supply them to you
Do not pack expensive jewelry, cameras, medications, small electronics etc. in your checked
bag. Carry them on the plane with you.
Pack using large zip top bags – i.e. underwear and socks in a zip top bag, etc. to simplify a
possible hand search of your bag and minimize potential loss of items.
If you lock your bag, use a TSA approved lock with the red diamond symbol on it.
LABEL YOUR BAGS – CHECKED OR CARRY ON – WITH YOUR NAME ADDRESS AND
PHONE – BOTH INSIDE AND OUT!!!!!
Give a copy of your itinerary to someone else so if you lose it or forget it, you can call to check.
Also give it to the people picking you up.
If you are sending an unaccompanied minor on a flight, arrange for unaccompanied minor
handling with the airline and pay the fee. It is well worth it.
if you have purchased your ticket on line, and have arranged for hotel and/or car rental and/or
shuttle ground transportation etc., and you are supposed to have a voucher for the car rental
hotel or ground transportation, be sure you print it from the online site BEFORE you get to the
airport. Otherwise, the ground carrier, car rental company or hotel may not honor you
reservation and purchase, and you may have to pay again. Please DO NOT ASSUME that you
can find a computer and printer to use to print your voucher or other travel documents.
On page 5 of your passport, write your name, address phone number and emergency
contacts IN PENCIL - update these changes before leaving.
When traveling internationally, make copies of driver’s license, passport, birth certificates and
other travel documents and carry in different parts of your bags as a back up.
Put your name and phone number on as many items as you can – write them on the zip lock
bags of makeup etc., put your name and number on cameras, small electronics etc.
Be sure you have a number in your cell phone address book titled: home or mom or dad or
brother or sister or emergency contact etc. If you lose your phone, this is the first logical place
people will look for a number to call.
Travel with extra zip top bags. They may not be available at your destination outside of the
country.
Confirm luggage size and weight restrictions with your airline BEFORE YOU GET TO THE
AIRPORT. Some carriers may refuse luggage over 50 pounds and do not assume extra
bags are available for purchase or loan
When making your reservations for flights – pick the earliest flights you can – often the prices
are lower, and if you encounter a problem, the odds of getting on a later flight improve.
Consider traveling on the actual holidays to get better seats and cheaper fares.
When choosing a hotel, choose one either at the airport or in the financial district because on
holidays they often have more rooms and may have better rates at these times.
At the Airport...
Many airlines will stop accepting passengers for check-in 30 minutes prior to departure time,
while some will stop accepting passengers for check-in 40 minutes prior to departure. Be
sure you are at the check-in counter in sufficient time to check in. Confirm your airline's check-
in cutoff policy before arriving at the airport.
At the Security Checkpoint...
Remain aware when going through security screening. Be sure you get all of your items out
of the bins when you leave the security checkpoint. Be sure you put your laptop back in your
laptop bag. IT IS NOT TSA’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT YOUR LAPTOP OR ANY OTHER
ITEMS BACK IN YOUR BAG, NOR TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU HAVE LEFT SOMETHING
BEHIND. (most common left items – coats, keys, cell phones, and drivers licenses)
When you get to the airport, write down where you park (garage, level, row, etc.) and take that
paper with you (don’t leave it in the car). Make sure you do not leave your lights on etc. or you
will come back to a dead battery.
If you are using a tour package (i.e. cruise package or ski package), confirm AHEAD OF TIME
where you are to check in and board, and what actual carrier you are flying on. Often these
are charters who are using another airline’s check in counter and gate.
Be aware of airline code share arrangements. Confirm your gates carrier, etc. ahead of time.
For example, you may have a ticket on Air France, but it may actually be a flight on Delta or
American through a code share arrangement. You may get to the airport looking for and
asking about Air France, when Air France does not fly into your airport, and you are really
looking for a Delta flight.
If you purchase a ticket through a web travel site (i.e. Travelocity, Expedia, etc.) keep in mind
your contract is with them – not the carrier. If you have a problem – miss the flight, get
bumped, flight gets cancelled, etc., the airline in many cases will instruct you to either contact
the web site company for relief, or they may require you to purchase a new ticket at their
prices.
When claiming your bags, be aware of your bags at all times as thefts increase during
holidays periods. Also do not set your purse/laptop down and turn your back to claim your
bag – let your relative keep them or hang on to them.
Remember that if you lose a checked bag – it does not arrive with you – this is an AIRLINE
issue not an airport issue. You will need to file a claim for lost or damaged bag WITH THE
AIRLINE not the airport.
When going through screening, remove your zip top bag from your carry on and place in the
screening bin.
Remove your coats, blazers, jackets etc. when going through screening and place them in a
bin. Remember to pick them up at the end of the screening process.
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