Making it Through the Airport

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Some tips to streamlining air travel.

Knowing your way around an airport these days can save time, inconvenience and sometimes embarrassment.

In the wake of recent events, terrorist threats and technological advances from both the goodies and the baddies, security at airports is a priority, and getting tighter.

For the honest traveler with nothing to hide, this is a good thing, but knowing what to do and what not to do can save time and money.

Liquids

These are no longer allowed onboard with you.

If you must take expensive stuff like sunscreen, moisturiser, perfumes etc make sure it is less than 100ml in volume, or pack it into your ‘checked in’ luggage – which is the suitcase(s) or bag that you give to the airline staff when you pick up your boarding pass.

If you forget, and take liquids to the boarding gate, they WILL be confiscated and thrown away, OR you will not be allowed to board the flight.

Metal stuff

Airport metal detectors are a hassle, and you may go through anywhere from 1-4 sets of high tech x-rays and metal detectors.

Occasional tiny gauge piercings and very thin earrings normally pass without drama, but try and wear a top, trousers or skirt, and shoes without accessories, buckles, belts or metal trim if you want to avoid that loud beeping sound and ‘special attention.’

I usually wear slip on shoes or sandals, shorts or cloth pants, a cloth shirt, and put jewelery, mobile phone and watch in my carry on bag. That goes in the x-ray, and I walk through without any hassles.

No need to say that anything sharp, dangerous or potentially a weapon will not be allowed on board.

Attitude and inappropriate humour

These days, being lippy, aggressive, and tasteless or ‘too aware’ of your human rights can cause you to be denied boarding – or even thrown into a cell.

Airport staffs have a lot of credible threats and bad guys to deal with, and their tolerance for bad behaviour, abuse, contradiction and terrorist / airport disaster jokes is near zero.

· Be polite and try to smile and be tolerant – even if you are being delayed, detained or put under close inspection. Losing your temper or becoming aggressive is a red flag, and may end up costing you your flight and your liberty.A UK citizen with an old passport missed his flight recently and was thrown into an Asian jail for two weeks because his passport didn’t check out. It was only a communication error between the immigration in his home country and the airport he was leaving from. He started shouting and becoming aggressive and instead of enjoying the drinks trolley and in-flight movie he ended up sitting in a squalid, humid, cramped jail cell. NOT good!Jokes like “be careful with it, there’s a bomb in my suitcase” WILL get you automatically jailed without recourse, and the flight cancelled or delayed for all of the others.

Jokes about religion, culture, hate speech etc – forget it. Be aware that you are in a heightened security environment, and just chill out and be normal.If things get weird, maintain your cool, and co-operate with the officials and show them you have nothing to hide.

· Learn your baggage allowance. Budget airlines are very strict and WILL charge extra or deny your baggage. Full service carriers are more forgiving. Taking WAY too much will cost a LOT of money. Perhaps even more than your airfare.

If your baggage is at, or under the limit then your check-in will be fast and hassle free

· Having a valid passport Your passport is your best friend.

Make sure you have at least 1 year validity before the expiry date.

To make life easier, if you do have an old passport, consider applying for a new machine readable one – which will save time and close scrutiny at passport control.

DO NOT write in your passport (apart from the ‘bearers address’ and ‘notify in case of emergency’ sections)

DO NOT remove pages or visas

DO NOT attempt to alter your passport in any way.
Any of the above can result in confiscation, large fines, or criminal charges.Really!

· Drugs

Be very very careful with both sorts.

Airport x-ray and scanning technology is very high tech.

Don’t even consider illegal or recreational drugs. You probably WILL get caught, and nothing could be more stupid than even thinking about taking your favourite “high” with you.

In many countries, the Death Penalty applies for drugs, and in many, many more you can face harsh long term jail sentences in living hell for as little as one pill, one joint, and in some countries, for even testing positive in a blood or urine test.It just isn’t worth it.Prescription drugs are a very grey area. In Australia, panadeine is paracetamol with codeine, and available in chemists and supermarkets. In Greece and Dubai you would be jailed for up to 7 years for possessing a tablet.Check the status of your prescription medicines not only in the countries you are travelling to, put also in the countries that you will pass through or transit in.

Only take prescription drugs if they are an absolute necessity, and even then, make sure you are 100% informed about their legal status at the other end.

· Tickets

Very few need to be confirmed these days, and many airlines offer online check-in, or ‘e-ticketing’

If booking online, check the status is “confirmed” and print a copy of this receipt and itinerary.

If booking with an agent, confirm the ticket with the airline.

If booking and paying online, bring the credit card with you that were used to pay for the ticket. Most airlines want to see it on check in.

· Capitalism

If you are a strong supporter of capitalism, then by all means pay $6 for a sandwich, $5 for a coffee, and $20 for a book at the airport.The airport authority and their expensive shops will thank you.If this sounds shocking and has your mouth agape, consider eating and drinking before you leave for the airport, and buy any souvenirs, necessities, books and travel aids at regular shops, markets or malls at regular prices.

Airport prices are notoriously high for most items.Consider buying Duty Free, but bear in mind that it may also be available outside the airport at less cost, with more variety to choose from.

Ask around, check some online forums, and go into any purchases at the airport fully informed.

Liquor, perfume and cigarettes are often pretty good deals at airport duty free.Liquor, even bagged duty-free can be a problem if going to certain countries, or if changing flights, stopping over or transiting through another airport, due to the 100ml liquid limit on carry on baggage.

Some airports recognise their own Duty Free providers bagged products, but not those from other countries.

Check first before buying, to avoid donating that rare single malt to a grateful airport official during your transit.

Happy flying, and please send your comments or your own travel tips to shane@prochef360.com

Best regards,

Chef Shane
The Culinary Globe Trotter

Image Credit: JoeM5952

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