Tips for Easier Air Travel with Children through Security Checkpoints

Be sure to allow extra time for your family to get through security. This is especially true when traveling with younger children. If you often travel on business, you may be accustomed to seamlessly breezing through security checkpoints, but families travellng together can have a slower go of it. Check with your airline about their recommended check-in times for your departure airport and arrive no later than that time.

Talk to your children before you leave for the airport and let them know that they should not make inappropriate jokes about such things as, "I have a bomb in my bag." That is considered a threat and is against the law, and such a threat, even when made by a child, can delay the entire family and may even result in a fine.

The Transportation Security Administration has a responsibility to screen ALL passengers before they go through the security checkpoint, regardless of the age of the passenger. That includes infants. While TSA security officers will try to work with your children, your child may be irritable or frightened because they are excited about the trip and also because they must deal with many strangers. Some pre-security-checkpoint preparation, coupled with an attempt on your part to remain calm, will lessen your child's anxiety and ensure a smooth move on to your departure gate.

Knowing ahead of time that all personal liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers will help you get you through the checkpoint quicker. Larger containers that are half-full or rolled-up toothpaste tubes are not allowed. All liquid, gel and aerosol containers must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top are not allowed.

Each person traveling can have only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Each quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag must be removed from your carry-on and placed in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening.

If you're carrying liquid medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, or juice, "reasonable quantities", not exceeding three ounces, are allowed. These are not required to be in your zip-top bag. Let the security officer know about these when you arrive at the checkpoint.

All child-related equipment that will fit through the X-ray machine, i.e., strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and the like, should be collapsed or folded and placed on the X-ray belt for inspection. When you place your infant carrier on the belt of the X-ray machine, remember to remove the baby. Believe it or not, some parents are unclear about this.

If any of your child-related equipment does not fit through the X-ray machine, security officers will visually and physically inspect it. Place smaller items into the plastic bins provided.

As you and your family approach the security checkpoint, take your infants and young children from their strollers or carriers so that they can be screened individually. If your child is able to walk through the metal detector alone and without assistance, allow him or her to do so. If you must carry your child, you may do so, but realize that if you are carrying your child and the alarm sounds, both you and your child will have to be screened again.

If your children are concerned about having their belongings (backpacks, stuffed animals, etc.) placed in the X-ray machine, tell them that everything will safely go through the machine and will come out at the other end and be returned to them. No one will keep their things. Reassurance is important to young ones.

Everyone, including your children, will have to remove their shoes so that the security officer can see and X-ray them. Tell your children that afterward, they can put their shoes back on and go the plane.

After you clear the TSA security checkpoint, you're on your way. Don't allow the brief period of time required to ensure that America's planes remain safe for everyone ruin your vacation. Have a wonderful trip!