At this time of year, I
can’t help but think back to Boxing Day 2009, the day after the botched attack
on a Northwest Airlines flight where a passenger on a flight from Amsterdam to
Detroit concealed plastic explosives in his underwear. Thankfully the explosives failed to
detonate properly and the culprit was tackled and arrested on landing. As a result of the attempt, airport
security measures at many airports went into overdrive and we were booked on an
early morning flight to Florida. Departing
Toronto, each passenger (including our 6 month old son) was subject to a
secondary search by the RCMP. Even in the early morning hours, we endured a 2 hour wait to get through security but we came prepared and thankfully our
son was a good sport and too young to question or remember being frisked by a
Mountie.
Thankfully this measure
lasted only a few weeks, but there’s no doubt that going through security is a
maze of constantly evolving rules and practices. The individual traveler will be challenged to change these
practices, but there are ways parents can make it easier on themselves and their children, regardless of the rules of the moment:
Be Prepared
As a first time parent,
the thing I found more stressful than sleepless nights and midnight feedings
during the first year, was trying to figure out how to use all the gear. So, prior to flying with my son for the
first time (and on my own), I practiced going through security in my living
room. Keeping mind I was traveling
with an infant in a car seat clipped to a stroller frame, plus a backpack, but
only two hands, I practiced time and time again folding the stroller while
holding my son and getting everything (including shoes and a small Ziploc with
liquids) onto the x-ray belt with only one available hand. Boy, am I glad I did as it made getting
through security a breeze. Dry
runs also help me to realize when I’ve packed too many things to bring on
board, and either leave a few more things at home or pack items in our checked
bags. Our son is now 2 ½ and we’ve
been through security screening over two dozen times, but I still do dry runs,
even if it is only in my head.
Remember the 3-1-1 Rule
All liquids, gels and
aerosols must be in 3.4 ounce (100 ml) or smaller containers. Larger containers
that are partly-full are not allowed. That means don't bring along a 6 oz tube of diaper cream, even with only a smidgen left. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be
placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or
bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each
traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Each traveler must remove their
quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or
on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening.
Plan What You Are Going to Wear
Kids under 12 no longer
have to remove their shoes going through security but you will probably have to. Save yourself time by
wearing shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Tuck watches, pocket change, hats, necklaces and belts into your
carry-on before getting to security or pack them in your checked bag to wear
another day. I’ve found it most
convenient to carry my wallet, passports, camera and wipes in a waist
pack. It keeps my important items
easily accessible, my hands free, and I just shove it into my backpack before
putting it on the x-ray belt so it is one less thing to claim on the other
side. Security screeners will
often ask you and/or your children to remove a zip-up sweater they perceive to
be a ‘jacket’ so it can be helpful to wear zipper-free sweaters or sweatshirts
instead.
Prepare Your Child
Children must be taken
out of strollers and other carriers prior to going through security
screening. If your child is old
enough, it is always helpful to explain in advance what to expect. It is usually less distressing for kids
to have their prized blanket or toy placed in Mom’s carry-on just before going
through the x-ray machine, than having it go through by itself. And, going through in a carry-on will
keep it cleaner. Dr. Pat McGrath
of Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children offers helpful advice for preparing children to go through security.
You CAN:
Ask for help. A security screener cannot hold your
child while you put your shoes back on, but they can usually help you get your belongings
on and off the x-ray belt if you are traveling with a child on your own and
need a hand.
Ask your screener to put
on clean gloves. When my son was
an infant, my carry-on was full of teethers and other things that would
probably end up in his mouth. On
the occasion a security screener wants to do a hand search of my bag, I always
ask them to put on a new set of gloves.
That way, I knew the same gloves that were handling a pair of shoes the
moment before would not be the same ones inspecting my son’s belongings.
Remain with your child
at all times. You will never be
asked to be separated from your child.
Follow these tips and
give yourself plenty of time, and your trip through airport security will be
greatly improved. Happy flying!
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