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Mo's Travel Tips

Packing Tips:

TSA regulations state that liquid/gel/cream/paste/aerosol toiletries in carry-on bags must be in containers of 3 ounces or less to get through security checkpoints. And all of those containers must fit comfortably in a one quart size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.

Scan your passport, passport photos and paper tickets (if not the e type). Store this (in an email for e.g.) in your web based email account. You can also store the details of your emergency 'lost card' telephone numbers in your web based email account so you know who to contact if your credit card or ATM card is lost or stolen.

Keep any medication and important papers in your carry-on bag. packing a fresh change of clothes is a good idea as bags tend to get delayed or lost on long haul, multiple stop flights. You don't want to end up stuck without medication, clothes or your important papers even if it is just for a few days.

As an extra precaution, be sure to include identification inside each piece of luggage in case the external tag is lost during your travels. If you know where you will be staying during a longer trip, add your cruise ship information to your identification tags. This will allow the airlines to contact you there if your luggage is lost, rather than trying to contact you back at your home address.

When you are flying somewhere, divide the clothes between different suitcases/backpacks/bags etc. If one persons luggage doesn't arrive at the destination, they'll still have clean clothes available. Airlines generally don't compensate lost luggage for the first 24-48 hours.

It is always handy to have a few plastic bags around certain items, especially toiletries. Remember not to pack bottles of shampoo or other liquids that are completely full. Leave some air space in the bottle. Changes in air pressure/altitude can sometimes cause the contents to leak. Ziplock or other airtight plastic bags are the best.

Pack your undergarments (and anything else that you do not want handled) in plastic bags. If your checked bag is hand searched, inspectors can usually "crush and feel" the bag for security purposes without having to actually handle all of its contents. Pack any shoes/footwear last so that they will be on top of other items. This will make it easier for security screeners if the bag is hand searched.

Don't over-pack your bags. This will prevent the bag's contents from spilling out if they are opened for hand searching. It will also make it easier for security screeners to properly re-close your bag.

Do not lock your checked bags. If a checked bag must be hand searched and it is locked, it may be forcibly opened and the bag or lock could be damaged. TSA-approved locks (that can be unlocked by TSA agents) are available for locking up your luggage.

If you are packing several books inside a single bag, spread them around inside the bag. Stacked books are very dense and will probably cause the bomb-detection machines to flag the bag for hand-searching. (It is best to distribute your books among all your checked and carry-on bags.)

And my personal favorite packing tip:
Do not pack any food or beverages in checked luggage. Food items such as cheese, fruitcake and chocolate are dense enough that they can sometimes be mistaken for explosives by bomb-detection machines and set off an alarm.