Ryan Bingham’s Secrets Of The Gate Check
August 30, 2010 by Scott Applebee · Leave a Comment
Ryan Bingham, the 10 million mile frequent flier played by George Clooney in the movie “Up In The Air,” knows a thing or two about efficient air travel.
Ryan’s key to quickly navigating airports: Avoiding gate check delays.
First of all, Bingham recognizes that checking bags adds an average of 35 minutes to each flight (not to mention the $20 – $25 checked bag fee). Therefore, he uses a Travelpro® Rollaboard® carry-on which meets all Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airline restrictions, and accommodates everything he needs for his business trips.
He also complies with the TSA’s “3-1-1″ rule, which allows travelers to carry-on one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag containing 3.4 ounce (100 ml) bottles of his gels and liquids. Ryan breezes through security by placing the quart-sized bag in the screening bin which airport security X-rays separately.
Bingham packs all metal objects (watch, cell phone, loose change, etc.) in his rollaboard luggage, eliminating his need to handle them at the security checkpoint. Plus, he keeps his computer readily accessible in the convenient laptop compartment.
One way that Ryan could further streamline his trips through security would be to carry on “checkpoint friendly” briefcase.
Travelpro’s checkpoint friendly bags feature a padded sleeve compartment which holds most 17″ laptops. Bingham would simply unzip the back of his computer case, lay it flat on the conveyer, zip up the case once it passed through the X-ray machine, and then, proceed to his gate.
Ryan uses common sense as he minimizes his time in gate check lines:
- He packs light, reducing the amount of luggage he must pass through security.
- He wears “slip on” shoes, avoiding the need to untie and retie his shoe laces.
- He surveys the gate check lines, and avoids getting behind groups likely to take excessive time getting through the checkpoint (mothers traveling with small children, for example).
- Speaking of traveling with small children (which obviously doesn’t apply to Bingham), make sure your young ones are both dressed and packed properly. A few minutes of pre-trip planning can eliminate lengthy checkpoint delays.
If you follow Ryan Bingham’s gate check strategies, you and your rollaboard carry-on luggage will zip through airport security and be “Up In The Air” in no time.
What Can I Carry On An Airplane, And What Can’t I Carry On?
August 5, 2010 by Scott Applebee · Leave a Comment
Your departure day has arrived and you’re ready.
You’ve packed all your belongings in your Travelpro® Rollaboard® Carry-on luggage and will streamline your journey by carrying them onto the airplane. No check-in hassles, no checked bag fees, no delays retrieving checked bags at your destination, you’re good to go.
Unless you’ve packed something that’s prohibited by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
The TSA is responsible for the safety of the traveling public, and publishes ever-evolving guidelines on the items allowed on commercial aircraft. After conducting extensive research, the TSA has banned the transport of certain items, banned the carrying on of other items, and restricted the amount that can be carried-on of other items.
One of the most misunderstood restriction involves liquids and gels, which the TSA has attempted to clarify through its 3-1-1 Rule (http://www.tsa.gov/311).
This rule allows travelers to carry on one quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag containing 3.4 ounce (100 ml) bottles of gels and liquids. The traveler places the quart-sized bag in the screening bin which airport security X-rays separately.
And, yes, the 3.4 ounce restriction does apply to bottled water. So, despite the fact that your 16 ounce water fits so nicely in your Travelpro Carry-on bottle holder, it won’t get through security. However, after you go through security, you can buy water at one of the airport stores and carry it on the plane.
The TSA’s Prohibited Items List (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm) defines which items can and can’t be checked or carried on:
• Sharp Items: Box cutters, ice axes and picks, knives, meat cleavers, razor-type blades (such as box cutters), sabers and swords can be checked, but not carried on. Scissors (with pointed tips and blades shorter than 4″) can either be checked or carried on.
• Sporting Goods: Baseball bats, bows and arrows, cricket bats, golf clubs, hockey and lacrosse sticks, pool cues, ski poles and spear guns can be checked but not carried on.
• Guns and Firearms: Ammunition, BB guns, compressed air guns, firearms, flare guns, gun lighters, gun and firearm parts, pellet guns, realistic firearm replicas and starter pistols can be checked but not carried on. Flares and gunpowder are not allowed on commercial aircraft.
• Martial Arts & Self Defense Items: Billy clubs, blackjacks, brass knuckles, mace & pepper spray, martial arts weapons, night sticks, nunchakus, stun guns & shocking devices and throwing stars can be checked, but not carried on.
• Tools: Axes and hatchets, cattle prods, crowbars, hammers, drills and drill bits, saws and tools greater than 7″ in length can be checked but not carried-on. Tools less than 7″ in length including screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers can be carried on.
• No Explosive Materials or Flammable Items are allowed on commercial aircraft, except common lighters which can be carried on if they’re properly enclosed in a DOT approved case.
• No Disabling Chemicals or Other Dangerous Items are allowed on commercial aircraft, except the small compressed air cartridges found in life vests.
Make sure that all the items you pack in your Travelpro luggage meet the TSA’s guidelines. Especially, those gifts you plan to bring back for loved ones.
