HOLIDAY TRAVEL Some ways to avoid delays

If you are packing anything that might be questioned, it's a good idea to put it near the top of your bag.
By MITCH SNEED
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- If it's a package, don't wrap it. If it's metal and you don't have to have it, don't pack it. If you can ship it without great expense, ship it.
Wrapped gifts and heavy, dense and metal objects seem to be the items causing delays as holiday travelers work their way through the airport screening process.
Aaron Batt, deputy director of security for the newly formed Transportation Security Agency, said agents have been trained to be friendly, yet thorough and all have been well-schooled on potential red flags.
Batt said experienced fliers have learned what can and can't be done, but the holidays present new problems, and a higher volume of people who normally don't fly are taking trips, often carrying unusual items.
"I would suggest not wrapping gifts until you get to your destination," Batt said. "Everything is being screened, X-rayed and checked, so there's a very good likelihood that it may have to be unwrapped to be inspected. For some people, it may be easier to ship them, rather than bringing them on the plane, especially if they are bulky items.
"That's not to say that you can't do it, it's just that if you want to ease the process and avoid any possible delays, it would just be much easier to do it once you arrive."
Delays
Linda Jones from Syracuse, N.Y., said she found that out the hard way en route to Fort Wayne. Bringing a wrapped Christmas gift to her granddaughter, she found it took extra time at every checkpoint to clear the package.
"I travel a lot to visit family and I've learned not to carry the cuticle scissors and nail files, but I didn't even think about wrapping a box making a difference," Jones said Wednesday as she prepared for a return trip to Syracuse.
"It took a little extra time, and I'll know the next time. I know that all this is necessary and if that's what it takes to make it safe to fly, then I'm fine with it."
Some things that were once not allowed have been cleared to carry on. Toy guns were once restricted, but now if the item is obviously a toy, it is allowed.
Film care
Camera equipment to capture those holiday memories is allowed, but screening machinery used to inspect checked bags can damage undeveloped film.
The TSA suggests purchasing film at the final destination and having it developed. Film also can be taken to the checkpoint and screeners can conduct a hand inspection to protect it from damage.
Previously items in checked bags were rarely inspected, but new equipment and guidelines require all bags be scanned at a minimum. Many are spot-checked and others get a thorough inspection.
Machines called Explosive Tracing Devices are now used to examine every checked bag to assure the luggage doesn't contain or has not been in contact with explosives.
Batt said this new step will be done in every airport by Dec. 31.
"The airlines won't take any bags unless they come through this process," Batt said.
Wendy Geist of Olympia, Wash., was making a return flight Wednesday and, even though she doesn't fly frequently, as her suitcase was being scanned for potential explosives, she said it was nice to know agents were working to make the planes as safe as possible.
Another tip
"I don't mind," Geist said. "I didn't know they looked at every bag to check for bombs, but it's good they do. I don't fly but every three or four years, so all this is new to me. You hear about it and see it on television, but when you see how closely they do check, it makes you feel a little better about getting on a plane."
One tip Batt has is to pack anything that may be questioned high in the bag so it will be easy to inspect.
"Many items are allowed in checked bags, but if it's an item that is high-density that may show up on an X-ray, it's a good idea to pack it near the top so that inspectors won't have to dig so deep to find it," Batt said.
Batt said he finds most people take the added security well. Agents are trained to be thorough, yet discreet so passengers are not immediately put on the defensive.
Agents are instructed to be friendly, greet each passenger personally and make eye contact as they speak with travelers.
"A lot of people come to the airport and Sept. 11 is the last thing on their mind," Batt said. "But they get here and the first thing they face is the security and it's a grim reminder. So I think most of them see this as a necessary thing and you'd be surprised at the number of people who actually thank us after being searched.
"No one likes that we have to do this, but if we can be professional and friendly, it helps. Passengers know that this is for the best. This country and especially this industry couldn't survive another event like that."