The Right Side of the Law
The
holiday season is a busy time for a number of different activities.
Traditionally starting the morning after Thanksgiving and running right
on through until the waning hours of December 24th, this is busiest
shopping season time of the year. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas,
this period is always the busiest travel time of they year, particularly
for air travel. In the weeks ahead, millions of our fellow Americans
take to the skies in an effort to spend some time with close friends and
family. The wake of the events of 9/11, law enforcement has stepped up
it’s presence at major transportation hubs such as our airports in an
effort to keep you safe. While the screening processes now in place my
seem obtrusive at times, here are a few tips that can help you and your
family make it to your final destination as quickly and as easily as
possible:
The ‘Holiday Rush’ Isn’t Just for Malls
Busy
airports usually mean long lines at security checkpoints. When
traveling at peak times, budget more time than usual. If you are
traveling with young children, infants, elderly or disabled passengers,
you should consider allowing even more time.
Keep Your Picture ID and Plane Ticket Handy at All Times
You
may be asked to show a government-issued photo ID as well as your
boarding pass at any time, either by security screeners or airline
staff. Make sure you keep both in a safe place that you can reach
easily.
Know What You Are Carrying
Many
individuals choose to simply carry on all their luggage provided it
complies with Transportation Safety Administration standards on size and
weight. This can often lead to frantic scenes at x-ray scanners as
people scramble to pass through the magnetometer and collect their bags
speedily in order to make it to their gate on time. Know how many items
you have with you and take a moment before you leave the screening area
to ensure you have all of your property.
Leave the Jokes at home
Do
not make jokes about having a explosives or other weapons in your
possession. Security is serious business and screeners will not take
such statements lightly. Penalties for such statements, even those made
in jest can be severe.
Do Not Be Surprised If Your Bags Are Searched
Bags
are frequently hand-searched, especially if security personnel are
unable to identify a particular item using the x-ray scanner. Procedures
such as these, while time consuming, are aimed at keeping you safe.
Take them in stride and budget enough time for your bags to pass even
secondary inspections such as these.
No
trip is ever hassle free, but by following these tips from the Bergen
County Sheriff’s Office, you can bring a little bit of holiday cheer to
this year’s holiday trip.