Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Before traveling, you must understand what you are and aren't allowed to take as carry-on baggage onto your flight and make sure you have packed your carry-on bag accordingly. Under no circumstances are you allowed anything sharp that could be used as a weapon in your carry-on bag. This includes tweezers, scissors, razors, bottle openers and pocket knives. Double-check your bag just before you leave home to make sure nothing of this sort is in your carry-on bag. If you are traveling with a laptop, remove it from your bag and place it in a separate tray before you allow your bag to go through the scanner. If you leave it in your bag, it will set off an alarm and you will be asked to remove it so that it can pass through the scanner again. In general, it is always wise to check your airline's rules and regulations about carry-on baggage, to make sure your luggage is the right weight and size, and does not include any restricted items.
Substantial amounts of liquids are banned from carry-on luggage, and small amounts of liquids may be carried in a small, transparent bag. Before you leave for the airport, check that you have not put any items that are liquid-based into your carry-on baggage. This can include things like hand cream and mascara. When you are approaching the scanner, remove your liquids bag and present it to the security personnel separately, alongside your other carry-on baggage. Note that medicines you need vitally for your flight can be carried inside your carry-on baggage and do not have to be included in your transparent liquids bag. If you want to buy a bottle of drink for your journey, you can do so from the shops once you have passed through security, or you can wait to purchase or receive complimentary drinks on your flight.
You should always travel with the expectation that your baggage, both carry-on and checked baggage, will be searched. If there is anything in your baggage that cannot be identified by the X-ray scanners, or that is believed to be suspicious by airport security personnel, your bags will be opened and searched. With this in mind, do not gift wrap any gifts you are carrying as they will be unwrapped if the airport security personnel need to identify what the object is. If you put a lock on your bag or have it wrapped in cellophane, airport security will break the lock or remove the protective covering in order to reach the contents of your luggage. Remember that these procedures are ultimately in place to ensure the safety of you and other passengers, so it is better to come to expect and accept it.
It is also your responsibility to be aware of other people and their baggage, as well as your own luggage when you are at the airport. Being vigilant can help to protect all travelers. In particular, look out for unattended bags or packages in the airport. If you do see an unattended bag, report it to security staff or some airport personnel immediately. They will know which course of action to take. Do not try to move the bag yourself. You must also watch out for people who might ask you to carry something for them in your luggage, or who will try to slip something into your luggage when you are not looking. Criminals and terrorists have been known to try to trick people into carrying bombs and other dangerous items onto aircrafts. The key is to always have your bags with you and within your sight and to never accept carrying something for another person. If someone does ask you to do this, decline to do so and inform airport security immediately.