AL DHS Stresses Safety Tips for the Holiday Travel Season
By: Blake Deshazo
Updated: November 15, 2012
MONTGOMERY
- The Alabama Department of Homeland Security reiterates the message
from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today highlighting
security
procedures ahead of the busy holiday travel period and reminds travelers
about the steps they can take to be prepared for airport security. Over
the past year, TSA has implemented a number of new risk-based security
measures that enhance the passenger experience
at airports across the country.
TSA has implemented TSA Pre, an expedited
prescreening initiative for known travelers and active duty service
members at
select airports, and modified procedures for screening passengers 12 and
under, 75 and older and airline crewmembers to reduce, although not
eliminate, the need for a pat-down.
Holiday Travel Tips
Remember
3-1-1 for carry-on luggage
for non-exempt liquids: 3 ounce bottle or less for all liquids, gels and
aerosols; placed in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag to
hold all small bottles; 1 bag per passenger.
Do not travel with wrapped packages.
In order to determine if the contents of a package are a threat, a security officer may need to unwrap and inspect the item.
TSA
allows small snow globes in carry-on
luggage when packed in a passenger's plastic 3-1-1 bag. Snow globes that
appear to contain less than 3.4 ounces (approximately tennis-ball size)
will be permitted if the entire snow globe, including the base, is able
to fit in the same one clear, plastic, quart-sized,
re-sealable bag as a passenger's other liquids.
Food
items such as pies and cakes are
permitted, but may require further inspection. If travelers are not sure
if a food item is considered a liquid or gel it is best to pack the
item in checked baggage or ship it to a destination in advance.
For more travel tips or information on what passengers can and cannot bring through security, go to http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information
or http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/my-tsa-mobile-application
to use the MyTSA mobile app. To contact TSA Cares, a helpline designed
to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions, call
1-855-787-2227.
AL DHS also reminds the
public of its "See Something, Say Something" campaign in regards to
suspicious activity reporting during the holiday travel season. Law
enforcement relies upon citizens to report suspicious
activity to deter and disrupt terrorism or other criminal activities.
For more information on what activity is deemed suspicious, go to the
Alabama Fusion Center website, fusion.alabama.gov
under the "Public Awareness" tab or http://fusion.alabama.gov/Public-Awareness.aspx
