Airport Security Times have changed, as we all know, and security at your nearby airport is greater than it ever was. So let’s take a look at things from the time you leave home in terms of parking and inside the airport itself. Some of this is covered in Travel Security, but this time we’re focusing strictly on airports.
Parking
First, remember to leave early enough so that you have two hours when you get to the parking area to get checked in, go through security and get to the gate. Second, if possible, have someone drive you and drop you off at the terminal. That’s always more secure than leaving your car. However, if, like most of us, you must drive, for long-term parking I would recommend an off-site parking lot and shuttle bus. At Detroit’s Metro Airport, north of the airport is a large parking lot that holds several thousand vehicles. I always park there. You drive in, they tell you which section to park in, signs above the rows make them easy to find, you go there and park and a shuttle bus comes and picks you up. When you return, the shuttle takes you directly to your vehicle. Why is this better? That lot is busy 24 hours/day, seven days/week. No thief is going to go into that lot and try to steal your car.
Now, one thing that will prevent that (or aid in getting it stolen) is leaving your parking ticket in the vehicle. Once you park and before you get out of the vehicle, write the number of the aisle you are parked in on the ticket and then put that ticket in your wallet. The folks at the checkout booth get rather annoyed if you try to leave the lot without a ticket. That will bring the police who will confirm that the car is yours. Not only is your car more secure with the ticket in your wallet, putting the aisle number on the back makes it far easier to remember where you park when you return—especially late at night and if you’re tired.
The shuttle buses drop you off right at the terminal door. You must check in, but that process is far easier today. If you don’t have any baggage to check onto the plane (a wise idea), you can go to a kiosk, put your airlines card into the slot and call up and print out your ticket and boarding pass. Most airlines have people there to assist you with this. Once that is done, you’re ready to head to the gate and board your plane. But there’s more before you get there.
Airline Security
These days, you do not want to give the security folks any reason for concern. Old blackdog doesn’t walk too well due to an accident many years ago. So in these gargantuan airports (when I’m forced to fly…kicking and screaming), I request wheelchair assistance. For $5 (recommend) in each direction, which is $20 total for your entire trip if you’re just going to a single airport and returning from same, someone will be very happy to wheel you through the airport to your gate. You can request that when you check in, and also can ask your flight attendant to have a wheelchair waiting for you at your destination.
So now you’re on the way to the security gate, in my case in the wheelchair. Everything you carry on board must go through the security x-ray machine. You also must put your shoes on the conveyor belt (they have metal supports in the soles in most shoes), your belt (it has a metal buckle) and put all your change or pens or keys on the tray the security officer will give you. Then you walk through the portal, and sometimes you’re going to set off the alarm. I always do. I have a steel rod at the base of my spine. If you have this same problem, you really must have a letter from your doctor or the hospital indicating what is there and why and when it was put there. [My letter shows that because of a broken back a steel rod was inserted around the bottom five vertebrae on February 1, 1992, at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. To ensure the letter is authentic, there is a photo on the letter of my surgeon—the man who graciously made it so I could walk again! This kind of letter will make your travel much easier, believe me.]
If you do set off the alarm and don’t have any letter such as that, or don’t even have metal in your body, prepare for a tedious search. They will go over your entire body with a “wand” to look for things you may have missed. Don’t panic, and be very nice. It’s just routine, even though it feels invasive. It’s for your own safety and peace of mind. Flying (at least to me) is bad enough. Don’t make it worse at the security area. And never, ever, joke about security. If you even think of saying something stupid like, “Gee, are you looking for the bomb I have on me?” that is a one-way ticket to the inner security sanctum, and you will have hell to pay, to put it bluntly, before you ever get out of there—if you get out of there. You may also find yourself on the way to jail. It’s not a humorous topic.
The Flight
There’s really not a lot to say about flying. Some like it, some tolerate it, others barely can get on a plane. I fall about halfway between the last two. Flying is inherently safe, however, so try not to get too stressed over it. Be sure to remain in your seat with your belt buckled when you aren’t moving around. Try not to take too much stuff with you. Most people don’t have the patience to check their bags on the plane and try to bring 2-3 bags and a purse with them. This doesn’t make for happy flight attendants. Folks, if you cannot pack everything you need in one rolling suitcase and a briefcase, stay home!
Don’t abuse the flight attendants, do not get inebriated and cause a scene and just behave in general. I’ve never understood why some people view an airplane as a flying bar and absolutely have to have a drink. Too many people can’t handle it, and if the flight is disrupted by bad behavior, the plane is likely to land elsewhere and the offending party will be arrested and taken from the plane. Do not let this be you!
Most people have heard the security announcements the flight attendants give before every flight more times than they care to. But pay at least some attention. It really does help to know where emergency exits are, that your seat can be used as a cushion if you land in the water, what to do if your cabin pressure is lost and you must put on an oxygen mask (very important). Pay attention. You cannot be overly safe today.
When you arrive and the plane is taxiing to the gate, sit down and keep your seatbelt on. Though it’s not a common occurrence, planes have been known to run into each other on the runway. In case you haven’t notice, those puppies are big. You don’t want one running into you with your seatbelt unfastened. Once you are at the gate, unfasten your belt, carefully get your overhead luggage if you have any (so it doesn’t fall on someone’s head) and then prepare to deplane. The rest is pretty straightforward.
Happy flying!
