September Feature
The New Travel Experience
By Sara Adele Higgins, Sara_Higgins at aon.com
As of Monday August 14, 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lifted its ban on specific carry on items. This still does not include all liquids, gels and lotions. They have listed on their website, http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/new-procedures.shtm, a complete and updated list of what they are allowing travelers to bring with them on their flights. This link gives a complete list of permitted and prohibited items, which is highly recommended reading before you pack you luggage. It is quite an extensive and some what confusing list. Most items, under the circumstances, should be common sense.
Due to the increasing need for this information and updates on the current bans and alerts, the birth of new websites and assistance from already established companies have made their way into the "Travel Help" world.
http://www.smartpacking.com offers up to date information on traveling and new travel alerts. Here you will find tips on domestic and international travel, including what you can and can not bring with you as well as the latest airport security, airline bag weight and size rules, and critical travel health and safety and security information. For the most frequent flyers, sign up to have alerts emailed directly to you whenever there is a change in the rules by the TSA.
Medical websites such as http://www.medicine.net give 11 steps for passengers traveling with medicine and medical conditions, making their trip through security as uneventful as possible. Key note here is to make sure all medication is correctly labeled with your correct name on each bottle.
Some companies will ship your papers or baggage to your destination so that you won’t have to deal with the baggage check at the airports and the constant fear that you luggage will be sent 600 miles in the opposite direction. UPS (800-PICK-UPS, http://www.ups.com), Federal Express (800-GO-FEDEX, http://www.fedex.com), Universal Express (866-744-7224 or 561-367-6177, http://www.usxp.com), Bags Inc. (407-447-5547, http://www.airportbags.com), Luggage Forward (866-416-7447, http://www.luggageforward.com), Sports Express (800-357-4174, http://www.sportsexpress.com), Skycap International (877-775-9227, http://www.skycapinternational.com) and Luggage Free (800-361-6871, http://www.luggagefree.com) are jumping in to lend the weary traveler a helping hand. Pricing for these services vary. Generally, a charge for pickup and a per pound fee is the standard. (Golf clubs, bikes and skis are an additional charge). Most can be done right on line with no hassle.
Hotels and even Avis Rental are also jumping on the band wagon to help its customers with the everyday necessities one would need when traveling. Gift bags of toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, etc. is being given to it customers upon arrival, this is to ensure a stress free experience when using their services.
The TSA has not yet decided when and if all of these bans will be lifted. These security measures, while somewhat inconvenient, are in our best interest. Using some of these services and practical information, we hope our frequent flyers a safe and pleasant flight.
