Getting old - - advice requested

[tombanjo]

Depending on age, shoes do not need to come off.

Passengers 75 and older can receive some form of expedited screening through risk-based intelligence-driven security that allows TSA to better focus resources on passengers who more likely pose a risk.

more airports are moving to just your id, no need for ticket. They scan your license. If you look ahead, you can see what they are using.

It is simplest to remove what ever could beep before you go through, than go through, beep and then have extra screening.

Keys, phone, wallet and watch into carry on. If you go through body scanner, really empty pockets. Otherwise they will want to know what it is.

Generally older people "may" be given pre-check - look at your ticket after check in or ask agent. That way you stand in the right line.

For non-pre-check, use a large size baggie for your liquids, and take out of carry on. It is better to be organized and prepared - make sure you meet requirements and follow rules to go through smoothly. Is your carry on the correct size ? Do you have things that can't go through ? (Bottle of perfume, aerosol spray, etc) ? Even if you don't have to take off shoes, are they full of metal ? Heavy jewelry or lumpy watch, belt buckle ?

 

[tombanjo]

reply to last post, different days, different screening. Last time I flew (last week) TSA was checking ID's as people boarded. There are also random checks. Typically, if it has a keyboard, it needs to come out for non pre-check. Pre-check in regular line (where you have a card) might ask everyone to take out computers or even phones. Just do what ever they ask.

 

[artringwald]

If you have metal in your body (replacement joints), tell them before you go through the normal metal detector. If you don't and the alarm goes off, they'll pull you aside and you'll have to wait until someone can give you a somewhat "personal" pat down. If you tell them ahead of time, they'll send you to the x-ray type scanner where you'll have to remove everything from your pockets. Even a paper boarding pass can show up.

 

[rapmarks]

I am over 75 and don’t get pre check. I do have to go through the X-ray machine and usually get patted down too. It seems like the rules change every time. This was the first trip they didn’t require boarding pass

 

[VacationForever]

We aren’t driving to Boston. The car service is taking us to the airport.

We are on a Collette tour in UK and Ireland starting today, so far they have been absolutely professional. The transfer which they had arranged was great. I think you will have a great time with them.

 

[clifffaith]

I didn’t know a watch triggered the alarm. Is it all, or certain types? Good ideas here. Previously, they made me takeout my iPad and computer. This last time they didn’t. Have the rules changed?

Cliff always removes his watch; I never remove mine and haven’t had an issue.

 

[Luanne]

I have already mentioned that I have metal in my hip. I don't even remember to mention it. I have "beeped" once or twice since I had the surgery and when that happens I do say it's probably my hip. At that point they usually send me back through the x-ray scanner. I can't remember if they even checked my backpack as well. And this will be TMI but I have had the underwire in my bra cause the alarm. Luckily I didn't have to disrobe.

 

[Cornell]

I didn’t know a watch triggered the alarm. Is it all, or certain types? Good ideas here. Previously, they made me takeout my iPad and computer. This last time they didn’t. Have the rules changed?

I’ve seen men who wear big diving type watches triggering the machine

 

[slip]

When I traveled for work my belt often set off the alarm and it wasn't one of those big belt buckles either. Strange that it only happened in Chicago and Dallas, never happened in Hawaii.

 

[clifffaith]

When I traveled for work my belt often set off the alarm and it wasn't one of those big belt buckles either. Strange that it only happened in Chicago and Dallas, never happened in Hawaii.

Cliff has(had?) a belt that has a non-metal buckle, but if he remembers to wear it, he forgets not to take it off!

 

[Passepartout]

I have to remember to mention my pacemaker to the screener, and be directed to the 'backscatter' scanner instead of the more common metal detector. I have a card to show TSA. I've only been asked for it once, and wouldn't you know, I'd misplaced it. I usually keep it with my passport, but this one time it was in my carry-on.

 

[Passepartout]

Cliff has(had?) a belt that has a non-metal buckle, but if he remembers to wear it, he forgets not to take it off!

I have a fully non-metal money belt. It has a zipper on the inside that you can tuck 3- I think- bills into (folded in 1/4's). Available on Amazon.

 

[PigsDad]

When I traveled for work my belt often set off the alarm and it wasn't one of those big belt buckles either. Strange that it only happened in Chicago and Dallas, never happened in Hawaii.

Yes, I have a belt that often triggers the alarm and the buckle is quite "normal" -- not a big, decorative buckle, just the normal U-shaped buckle. If I remember, I wear a different belt on the days I'm traveling.

As for a watch, it is hit and miss. I have had my Apple trigger the alarm, but it has also passed w/o. I usually just remove it beforehand unless I forget.

Kurt

 

[WinniWoman]

@WinniWoman Here's a bit of advice I have for you going through TSA.

First when you check your bags visually inspect the printed luggage tags that the airline gives you (or they are affixing). Are the correct airport codes on there? The two times I've lost my bags it was due to the wrong tag being put on my bag.


When you arrive at Boston, BEFORE you get to the security line is to just step aside w/your husband before getting into any lines. Get everything organized and tucked away. Make sure you have your water bottle empty (if you have one). Remove any watches that might trigger the X-ray . If you are wearing a jacket, put that in your carryon / personal item bag. Get everything into that carryon EXCEPT your ID and boarding pass*.
Either have a pocket on your clothes that is secure for ID OR make sure your carryon bag has an easily accessible pocket to shove that ID in.

When you get to TSA you'll put your carryon bag on the belt and most likely your shoes. They may search your bag, that's fine.

IMO I see people getting flustered at TSA who haven't done the "prep work" before they get into the line. That's when things like "forgetting a watch" happen. Just get organized and prepared quietly before you get into line.

Once you get through TSA put your ID back into its "real" place (your wallet). You won't need it to board the plane.

I'm very familiar with O'Hare. Which airline are you flying?


Lots of people love having a mobile boarding ticket on their phone. I think for you have a good old fashioned paper boarding pass the way go. This way you aren't fumbling w/an unfamiliar app / Apple Wallet etc while in a stressful situation.

Thanks. Yes. I plan on printing the boarding passes at home. But I also have the American Airlines app on my old 6 plus I phone. I guess I’ll need to print the return ones at the hotel.

No checked bags for us. Carry ons only. I’ll be in a wheelchair also.

 

[WinniWoman]

If you have metal in your body (replacement joints), tell them before you go through the normal metal detector. If you don't and the alarm goes off, they'll pull you aside and you'll have to wait until someone can give you a somewhat "personal" pat down. If you tell them ahead of time, they'll send you to the x-ray type scanner where you'll have to remove everything from your pockets. Even a paper boarding pass can show up.

Thanks. I have to remember this. I have a few screws and rods from spine fusion surgery I had back in January.

 

[artringwald]

Thanks. Yes. I plan on printing the boarding passes at home. But I also have the American Airlines app on my old 6 plus I phone. I guess I’ll need to print the return ones at the hotel.

No checked bags for us. Carry ons only. I’ll be in a wheelchair also.

You really don't need to print them ahead of time. Hotels sometimes don't have working printers. When you check your luggage you can have them print it out.

 

[Luanne]

You really don't need to print them ahead of time. Hotels sometimes don't have working printers. When you check your luggage you can have them print it out.

I like to have the printed copy ahead of time, but have found that it's really not needed. The only time it came in really handy was when we were doing porter service on Maui. My husband was going to return the car and he had to show his driver's license and I showed his boarding pass in order to check the bags.

Also at SFO we did expedited baggage check, which meant we got baggage tags, but no boarding passes. Luckily we both have the United app and were able to use those.

 

[WinniWoman]

You really don't need to print them ahead of time. Hotels sometimes don't have working printers. When you check your luggage you can have them print it out.

Carryons only for us.

 

[Talent312]

There's usually kiosks near the check-in where you can print them.
At one budget airline, we were told to go back to the kiosk and use it
to print our luggage tags, too. "We don't do that anymore."
.

 

[PigsDad]

There's usually kiosks near the check-in where you can print them.
At one budget airline, we were told to go back to the kiosk and us that,
and to have it print our luggage tags, too. "We don't do that anymore."
.

Allegiant will charge you extra to check in at the counter vs. using a kiosk.

Kurt

 

[geist1223]

While Alaska is taking out it's Kiosks at PDX.

 

[goaliedave]

Ive always just traveled with a personal item, carryon and a coat. Timeshares all have laundry and once i spent 5 months straight just washing the same weeks' worth. I stuff the laptop bag and coat pockets. Once onboard i take off my coat and sweater.

 

[Talent312]

Once, when I was quite young, I flew to Italy for 8 days with just a small duffle bag.
The gate agent said, "Well, if you had checked a bag, we could'a told you that you've been rerouted."
-- This was before cell phones.

 

[SusanRN]

wouldn't you know, I'd misplaced it

Suggestion: Save it on your phone and mark it as a "favorite" so you can pull it up easily. If you wouldn't use it often, then just delete it in-between.
I take four of my grandkids to their medical and dental appointments. I save all of their insurance cards on my phone as favorites.

 

[pedro47]

Thanks to all, for all the great tips for TSA.