Air Travel Restrictions
Air travel restrictions have been placed on items that can be carried onto an airplane or checked in luggage for safety reasons since 9/11 and due to other terrorist attempts since then.
These restrictions are needed for the safety of the general public and passengers that are unaware of these measures could cause delays at the airport and result in missed flights.
In the United Kingdom, for example, there are specific air travel restrictions imposed on luggage. Only one carry-on piece of luggage can be carried on the plane with other bags such as handbags placed inside the single item of carry-on baggage.
There is no limit to the size of the baggage so it is best to contact the airline as individual airlines set rules regarding the number of bags that can be taken on the airplane. All liquids such as drinks, pastes, creams, gels and sprays should be put in your baggage that is checked in.
Such liquids can only be in containers that are no larger than100 ml in size and all containers must be able to fit in one transparent, re-sealable bag no larger than a freezer bag. Electrical items such as laptops and hairdryers can be taken on board but they will be screened separately as will any essential medical equipment that has supporting documentation from a qualified medical professional.
Other air travel restrictions prevent certain items from being packed in carry-on luggage but can be placed in bags that are checked. These items include sharp objects such as razors or knives; sporting goods such as baseball bats, golf clubs, or skis; tools such as axes, hammers, drills or screwdrivers and martial arts and self-defense items.
Items that are prohibited from air travel or allowed under only very strict conditions include firearms, explosive materials, aerosols, toxic, flammable, explosive or radioactive substances, almost any type of food, merchandise from embargoed countries and materials that contain lead.
Other air travel restrictions have been placed in effect for international flights coming into the United States since a terrorist attempt on a Northwest Airlines flight about a year ago. It limits the ability of passengers to move about an airplane, requiring them to remain in their seats for the last hour of the flight without any personal belongings on their laps.
One carry-on item will only be allowed for international travelers and domestic travelers will find heightened security at check in lines. On one flight, the cabin lights were kept on for the entire flight rather than being dimmed for take-off and landing. These measures have been put in place to help guarantee the safety of passengers on domestic and international flights around the world.
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