Airport Security

This is what I have learned while getting ready for my flight on Thursday:

Our country's terrorist threat level in ORANGE and this apparently means the threat of terrorism is high.

Carry-on's are limited to one bag and one personal item. Personal items are purses, laptops, shoulder bags...

There are strict rules allowing anything liquid on board. Anything liquid in a carry-on bag or personal bag has to be in bottles no greater than 3.4 oz and these bottles have to fit in ONE quart sized clear plastic zip bag (they specifically mentioned it could not be a fold over sandwich bag) and there is a limit to one bag per person. Liquids include lotion, liquid foundation, face wash, hair spray, ect.

Be prepared to take off your shoes, jacket, jewelry (this includes ALL piercings. If the metal detector goes off and its because of your piercings you will be asked to remove them)

Don't wrap presents. Security personnel will unwrap them for inspection.

Put all undeveloped film in carry-on luggage. The checked baggage screening will damage the film.

Carry-on bags have to weigh less than 40# on American Airlines and no bigger than 45 linear inches.

I am still not completely sure whether you can take a flat iron in carry-on luggage. (If they refuse to let me take mine, I will be royally pissed.)

They recommend getting to the airport an hour and half before your flight is scheduled to depart.

Be ready to board at the departure gate 15 mins prior to scheduled flight or risk losing your seats.

And don't expect the airline to pay for anything that gets damaged along the way.

It almost would be easier to drive!