If you haven’t flown in a while, you may not be up on the latest airport security changes from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Most travelers are aware that the TSA has instituted strict regulations about the amount of toothpaste, bottled water, and other liquid and gel items permitted in carry-on luggage. But what exactly are the rules? How much shampoo can you bring? And are the rules different if you’re flying overseas?

We’ve gathered answers to these and other common questions to help you figure out your packing strategy under the new TSA rules. With air traffic back to pre-September 11 levels, it’s more important than ever to follow the guidelines — that way you won’t be the fool holding up your entire security line.

Q. Are liquids and gels permitted in my checked baggage?
A. Yes. The new rules only apply to carry-on baggage.

Q. May I bring liquids and gels in my carry-on?
A. Yes, but only in limited amounts. Liquids and gels must be in individual containers of three ounces or less and placed inside one clear, quart-size, plastic, zip-top bag. The TSA emphasizes that containers should fit comfortably into your bag, and that only one bag is permitted per passenger. If you need to bring more than three ounces of any liquid or gel substance, it should go into your checked luggage.

Q. What about prescription medications, baby formula or milk?
A. These substances are exempt from the rules above. As long as you declare them at the security checkpoint, you may carry more than three ounces, and they do not need to be placed in a plastic bag. The TSA recommends but does not require that prescription medications be in their original labeled containers to expedite the screening process. The TSA may also makes exceptions for other medical necessities such as insulin, eye drops or syringes; see the TSA Web site for more details.

Q. May I pour shampoo and other liquids or gels into unmarked, travel-size containers, or do these substances need to remain in their original bottles?
The TSA does not require that liquids and gels be kept in their original labeled containers, though doing so may help expedite the screening process.

Q. Do solid vitamins and medications need to be packed in their original containers?
While the TSA encourages travelers to keep their medications and vitamins in their original labeled containers to expedite the screening process, you may transfer them into more convenient smaller containers such as daily pill minders.

Q. What about makeup?
A. Makeup is subject to the same liquid and gel rules as all other substances — so if you’re bringing liquid mascara, lip gels (such as Blistex) or other liquid- or gel-like items, they will need to be placed in your quart-size plastic bag in three-ounce or smaller containers. Lipstick, powders, solid lip balms (such as Chapstick) and other solid beauty products are not subject to the rules and may be carried in your hand luggage without restriction.

Q. What about food?
Even though the TSA says to “try not to over-think” the new guidelines, that can be tricky when it comes to food items. Does a cheesecake count as a gel or a solid? What about pecan pie? And can you bring your holiday leftovers like turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes?

A TSA rep told us that turkey and stuffing should be solid enough to pass muster, but mashed potatoes are a bit too gel-like. As for baked goods, the latest word from the TSA is that travelers can take pies, cakes and other bakery products through security, but be prepared for additional screening.

You may bring solid snack foods such as pretzels, potato chips or carrot sticks for the plane — but you may want to hold the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Single serving packages of condiments are permitted as long as they fit within your single zip-top bag, so you can add mustard to your ham sandwich after you get through security. All food must be securely wrapped or in a spill-proof container. You may not bring gel packs to refrigerate food (though they are permitted for medication).

Our advice? If you have any doubts about an item, either check it or leave it at home. After all, you may buy food or drinks after you pass through the security checkpoint if you need some munchies for the plane.

Q. If I purchase beverages or other liquids/gels beyond the security checkpoint at the airport, may I bring them on the plane?
A. Yes.

Q. Are there any special rules for batteries?
As of January 1, 2008, loose lithium batteries are no longer permitted in checked bags. If your batteries are installed in a device (such as a camera), you may pack the device in either a checked bag or a carry-on, but loose lithium batteries may only be transported in your carry-on luggage. Certain quantity limits apply to both loose and installed batteries; for more information, see the Department of Transportation’s Web site.

Q. What are the rules for cigarette lighters?
Common lighters are permitted in carry-on baggage, while torch lighters (which are typically used to light pipes and cigars) are not. Neither type of lighter is permitted in checked bags. For more information, see the TSA’s Web site.

Q. Are the rules different for international travel?
A. The European Union (E.U.) as well as other countries such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, Iceland and Norway have adopted similar security restrictions to those in the U.S. You are permitted 100-milliliter containers of liquid and gel substances, packed within a clear, resealable, one-liter plastic bag. More on Australia’s rules can be found here. More on the European Union’s policies can be found here.

Traveler’s Ed also provides a few personal experiences in Airport Security Abroad.

Q. Am I permitted to bring duty-free liquids in my carry-on bags?
Duty-free liquids, such as perfume or alcohol, are subject to the same rules as all other liquids and gels when it comes to U.S. security checkpoints — containers must be no larger than three ounces, and they must fit into your clear, quart-size, plastic zip-top bag. That means that if you have a connection in a U.S. city before reaching your final stop, you must use your time in customs to put your duty-free items into your checked baggage.

The same rules apply to the security checkpoints in the European Union and other nations mentioned above, with one exception: duty-free items purchased in airports in those countries will be given to you in special tamper-evident bags, which may be safely taken through airport security checkpoints in those countries. However, the tamper-evident bags will not pass muster in the United States, so you must transfer the items into your checked baggage while you’re in customs. For more information, see the TSA’s tips and rules on duty-free items.

Q. May I bring dry ice in my carry-on? What about my checked bags?
The Department of Transportation has strict regulations about the transportation of dry ice on airplanes. As long as you comply with those regulations, you may pack dry ice in your checked bag. A DOT spokesperson suggests that travelers avoid packing dry ice in carry-on luggage, as individual TSA agents unfamiliar with DOT regulations may confiscate the substance.

Q. I have a hearing aid, C-PAP machine, pacemaker or other medical device. How will this be handled during my security screening?
The TSA is used to dealing with these kinds of medical issues and will work with you to maintain your privacy and get you through security with your medical equipment intact. As soon as you approach the TSA agent, you should notify him or her of your medical issue so that they can determine the best way to screen you and any equipment you may be carrying. The TSA does not require travelers to carry a doctor’s note describing their condition, but having this written description may help expedite the screening process. For more information on traveling with special needs, see the TSA’s Web site.

Q. How early should I arrive at the airport?
A. We recommend arriving at the airport two hours before your flight, especially if you’re traveling during the summer, the holidays or another particularly busy time of year. If you’re flying internationally, you should allow yourself even more time.

Q. What should I expect at the security checkpoint?
A. You will have to put all footwear, jackets, jewelry, cell phones, keys and other metal items into a bin for screening before you step through the metal detector. Laptops and video cameras must be removed from their cases and screened individually. You can save time at the checkpoint by putting all metal items into your carry-on ahead of time, taking your electronic items out of their cases before reaching the security checkpoint, and wearing easily removable footwear.

Q. I’m bringing birthday or holiday gifts. What’s the best way to pack them?
A. Do not pack wrapped gifts in either your carry-on or checked baggage, as the TSA may have to unwrap them for inspection. Your best bet is to wrap your gifts once you arrive at your destination, or ship them ahead of time.

Q. May I bring electronic items on the plane or in my checked luggage? If so, how should I pack them?
Laptops, video cameras, iPods, Gameboys and most other standard electronic devices are permitted in both checked and carry-on luggage. As noted above, you should be prepared to remove laptops or video cameras from their cases at the security checkpoint for additional screening. Because electronic items tend to be frequent targets for security screening, you may want to pack these near the top of your bag so that inspectors don’t need to unpack your whole suitcase to get to them.

Keep in mind that certain electronic devices — such as radios, cordless computer mice or portable GPS systems — may not be used in flight even if you do pack them in your carry-on, as they may interfere with the plane’s navigational or communications systems.

Q. Can I lock any suitcases that I’m checking?
A. Yes, but you’ll need to use a TSA-approved lock so that screeners can open it if your bag is selected for inspection. TSA screeners will simply cut off non-approved locks if they need to get into your bag. You can learn more about approved locks and where to find them at the TSA’s Web site.

Q. Where can I find more information about airport security?
A. Check the TSA’s Web site for packing tips, a full list of permitted and prohibited items, and information for travelers with special needs.

PRINT YOUR PACKING LIST

 

Do you feel like you forget something every time you pack for a trip? Get organized with our  packing list! We’ve brainstormed a list of commonly packed items and separated them into categories. Just check off the items you need for your trip, type in up to 10 additional items. You can print your list, e-mail it to yourself or a friend, or save it to your computer for easy access in the future. Give it a try!

Important Documents and Necessities

Calling card	Passport, visa(s) and photocopies	Cash
Contact info for credit card  companies	Credit and ATM cards	Day pack
Driver’s license and photocopy	E-tickets	Medical and vaccination records
Hotel reservations	Insurance information	Traveler’s checks
Membership cards (AAA, frequent flier)	Money belt/pouch

 
Personal Items and Hygiene

Body lotion	Conditioner	Contact lenses and solution
Cosmetics	Toiletry bag	Curling iron/hair straightener
Deodorant	Eye drops	Feminine hygiene products
Floss	Glasses	Hairbrush or comb
Hair care products	Razors and shaving cream	Hand sanitizer
Lip balm	Moist towelettes	Mouthwash
Tissues	Woolite packets	Toothbrush
		Toothpaste

 
Clothing and Accessories

 

Beach cover-up	Swimsuit
Dress(es)	Jewelry	Watch
Comfortable walking shoes	Sandals	Sneakers
Pants/trousers	Shirts	Belt
T-shirts     Underwear	Shorts
Pajamas/sleepwear
Wide-brimmed hat	Base-ball hat

 
Medications and Health

Allergy pills	Anti-itch cream	Cold medicine
Contraceptives	First-aid kit	Insect repellent
Sleep medications	Motion sickness remedies
Pain relievers	Prescriptions
Vitamins	Nausea and diarrhea remedies

 
Gadgets

Camera and charger	Cell phone and charger
Extra memory cards or film	Laptop and accessories
PDA	Spare batteries
Video camera and charger	MP3 player

 
On the Plane

Books or magazines	Earplugs	Eye mask
Inflatable pillow	Travel blanket	TSA-approved luggage locks

 Family

Baby food	Baby powder	Bibs
Bottles/sippy cup	Car seat	CD’s/DVD’s
Changing pad	Pacifiers	Coloring books
Crayons/markers	Diapers	Extra clothes
Food/snacks	Formula or juice	Wipes
Stuffed animals	Nursing pads
Playing cards	Stroller
Toys	Travel games

Miscellaneous

Address book	Chewing gum
Journal	Snacks
Pen(s)	Plastic bags

Enter your own items here:

 

1. Three words. Portable DVD player!

 

2. A bag full of toys and treats. Books, stickers, paper, magazines, to help with boredom. Also Gameboys now if they’re older.

 

3. Take connecting flights. The ability to get off the plane and run around before the next flight is really helpful.

 

4. Fly an airline like Frontier or JetBlue with live TV. That TV is a great babysitter!

 

5. Request a window seat so your child can look out and lean against that without disturbing people.

 

6. Never do early boarding. The less time on board the better. Sometimes you can sit there for an eternity while waiting for the rest of the cabin to fill — this can make the trip unbearable for a kid.

 

7. Don’t hand out all the toys at once. Milk what you’ve got and for as long as you can — maybe you won’t have to go through the entire bag of tricks which can be a bonus for the trip back home.

 

8. Include a discussion on expected behavior, including how you and others are supposed to behave.

 

9. For kids still in car seats it has always been extremely helpful to lug that car seat with you. Kids are used to sitting still when in their car seat, so it makes keeping them happy and well behaved much easier.

 

10. Hand the kid a pen and tell them to draw mustaches on all the people in the in-flight magazine. Let them know they’re only allowed to do this on an airplane. This will give you at least an hour of quiet contentment.

 

11. For kids older than 6 or so, give them an incentive to behave. One client  pays their kids a quarter for every hour they are good. That way the children don’t taunt one another. They used this trick when going to Disneyworld — and only lost 1 hour worth of bribes!

 

12. For toddlers and older kids, always bring one empty sippy cupfor each child. When the flight attendant comes with the drinks, just ask him/her to fill up the sippy cup instead and we don’t have to worry about spills.

 

13. About 30 minutes before landing, make sure the children have something to drink in their cups upon touchdown.

 

14. Prior to any flight review the 4 essential plane rules:

• NO kicking the seat in front.
• Inside voice only.
• Sit down and put the seat belt when told to.
• No playing “up and down” with the tray.

 

15. Fly at naptime or bedtime whenever possible!

 

16. If you see/hear other children acting up or screaming, remember to thank your own child(ren) for not doing that, for being better behaved, and for setting a good example.

 

17. If all else fails, bring along little gifts to “thanks” passengers who were understanding when your child started crying, like good chocolates or $5 Starbucks cards.

Consider this:

Within the next few weeks, airlines in the U.S. will be cutting their domestic capacity by up to 16 percent across the board. Southwest Airlines will cut 200 flights from its winter schedule this fall.

This means that major airlines will be parking (i.e., taking out of service) planes. Continental will park nearly 70 planes, American will retire more than 80 and United could park more than 120. Midwest is cutting one third of its fleet, and Frontier—currently operating under bankruptcy—is removing 17 percent of its capacity.

The U.S. has 524 airports offering commercial air service, and most city officials at these airports are worried about losing service. They should be. Airports in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Honolulu, San Juan, Las Vegas, Oakland and Columbus are just a few that are expected to lose more than 10 percent of their scheduled service. And in some states, the cuts will be radical: In Michigan, Toledo, Lansing, Flint and Grand Rapids are seeing double-digit reductions in seat capacity and fares are up 15 to 30 percent over the same time period.

The cuts in service are indeed dramatic. In the last 12 months, flight departures in Orlando have dropped nearly 18 percent. There’s been a 25 percent drop in Hawaii, and a 16 percent drop in Las Vegas. Smaller markets are getting hit even harder—Milwaukee lost nearly 25 percent of its departures; Kansas City more than 26 percent. Even the Bahamas is getting hit—Nassau is losing more than 28 percent of its departing flights.

 

Other airports hard  hit include Fort Lauderdale and San Juan. Even though, like Las Vegas and Orlando, these are very popular destinations, airlines are cutting back service there because these flights primarily carry low-margin leisure travelers. American Airlines, for example, expects to cut daily flights out of San Juan from 93 to 51 this month. That’s huge. This will also impact the cruise industry, since it will be harder for passengers to reach the island to board their ships.

What does this mean to you? The law of supply and demand is taking over. That is, airfares are becoming rapidly more expensive.

What can you do as fares climb and capacity shrinks? And what happens if you book a flight now that disappears in two months? Keep in mind that in those situations, the airlines’ only responsibility is to offer you a full refund without penalty or reschedule you on another of their flights. But believe me—their “rescheduled” flight itinerary may include an unorthodox, and long, itinerary. The reality is, fall airline schedules are wreaking havoc with our own travel schedules and wallets, and we need to adjust in anticipation of even more problems.

The best advice is basic common sense: Book as early as possible. And since your odds of getting bumped off a flight have increased, get to the airport early if you really need to get somewhere.

Try to book the very first flight of the morning. Reason being: There’s a good chance that the aircraft assigned to your flight—as well as your flight crew—overnighted at your airport the night before. You therefore stand a better chance that the flight won’t be delayed, or get stuck waiting for a crew.

Buy travel packages whenever possible. Tour operators often block space on flights that may not show as available on other websites or through the airlines themselves.

Though it sounds counterintuitive, avoid non-stop flights. They will be much more expensive, because the airlines will price them for business travelers who must fly somewhere quickly. Instead, book connecting flights that go through major hubs. Give yourself at least a two-hour connect time. If things go wrong, you have enough time to make arrangements, and you’re already in a busy hub that offers a lot of options.

Track your flights using flightstats.com—not just immediately before you take your flight, but before you even make your reservation. Flightstats.com offers a great historical picture of the yearly on-time performance of every scheduled flight. Obviously, a flight that is late 96 percent of the time—and I’m sad to report there are a lot of them—is one you don’t want to book in the first place.

Thanksgiving will once again be the most heavily traveled holiday of the year, and planes will be even more crowded—if that’s at all possible. Fares are soaring. But the week after Thanksgiving has always been called the “dead” week in the travel industry, and this year will be no different. Fares drop significantly the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. If you can at all delay Thanksgiving by a week, you’ll save hundreds of dollars.

 

Executives acknowledge that despite the economic downturn, fares will rise, discounts currently available will be scarce, and routes and frequencies of flights will be reduced as domestic capacity is cut through the end of the year. The changes starting in September come on top of a litany of new charges — for luggage, drinks, pillows and other amenities — announced by some airlines earlier this year.

There were sharp capacity cuts during prior weak economic periods in the early 1990s and between 2001 and 2003, but fares went down as discount carriers moved in and filled the void, offering more competition, analysts said. But the high price of oil, airlines’ limited ability to further cut certain costs and the fact that many of the discount carriers are facing the same difficulties as the big carriers make things different this time, analysts said.

“Despite this sluggish U.S. economy, the general demand picture is better than it was post-9/11,” said Standard & Poor’s analyst Philip Baggaley. “In addition, you have this consistent response across the board of airlines raising fares and adding fees.”

Recently announced airfare sales for travel during the traditionally slow fall season will be harder to come by as more capacity comes out of the system in the last four months of the year.

“If somebody sees a good fare, they should grab it,” said Kevin Healy, senior vice president of marketing and planning for AirTran Airways.

Booking early for travel during peak times like the holiday season generally can get you a cheaper ticket than waiting until the last minute. But, airlines usually do not offer fare sales for travel over the holidays.

American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, US Airways, JetBlue Airways, AirTran and Alaska Airlines plan to cut domestic capacity during the third and fourth quarters by single- to double-digit margins.

JetBlue, for instance, in September will end service between several cities, including Boston to San Francisco and Washington to Las Vegas. Southwest Airlines Co., which had resisted the kinds of capacity cuts being made by other carriers, will end service in November between Kansas City and Sacramento, Calif., and between Oakland, Calif., and Tucson, Ariz. Some airlines, including JetBlue and Southwest, are adding or expanding service to states where other carriers are reducing service, like Florida. However, Southwest said recently that it will eliminate nearly 200 flights early next year as it struggles with high fuel costs and a weakening economy.

Fewer overall seats in the air means planes that remain will be fuller, which gives airlines pricing power to raise fares.

“The reality is — and I don’t want to diminish this — the industry is going to have to cover its costs,” American Airlines chief Gerard Arpey said in an interview.

Travelers are bracing for the impact of higher fares.

Several airlines are now charging fees for a first checked bag. Some have imposed a fuel surcharge on frequent flier reward tickets. US is even charging for soda. Airways

Cuts in the number of flights in the U.S. also could mean people who booked flights far in advance for travel after September might have to fly at a different time or, if a route has been eliminated by their carrier, they might have to find another airline to get them to their destination. But airlines don’t expect that to be a big issue.

If someone had purchased a ticket for a flight that is canceled later, airlines provide remedies for passengers. In American’s case, the airline would put the passenger on another American flight, accommodate them on another airline or refund their money.

As for frequent fliers, capacity cuts could mean fewer award seats available at the lowest level of award travel. Wagner said that in American’s case, people could pony up more of their frequent flier miles to guarantee they get a reward ticket for any available seat on a flight. Atlanta-based Delta recently announced a similar guarantee.

While the price of a barrel of oil has fallen from a high of $147.27 in July to about $117 recently, that is not likely to slow the upward spike in fares, according to fare researcher Seaney. The current price of oil is still more than five times what it was in mid-August 1992, and it is more than four times what it was in mid-August 2002.

“I think if oil prices continue to go down, you will hear calls for relaxation of fuel surcharges, but that doesn’t mean they won’t hike base airfares,” Seaney said.

He said that if load factors reach 90 percent, “There will be no reason to discount.”

The question on a lot of travelers’ minds is how long will airlines be able to continue to raise fares. Airline analyst Ray Neidl of Calyon Securities said in the short-term that depends largely on the economy.

“That’s the thing that will be tested this fall,” Neidl said.