Bed and Breakfasts

Tips for Packing Your Bags

Increased security at airports makes careful packing more important than ever before. With careless packing you run the risk of having items confiscated for security reasons, or at worst, being delayed. There really is no way to avoid luggage searches sometimes. Whether the security officers have seen something suspicious on the screening machines or whether they are just doing random searches you will probably at some time have to undergo a search yourself. There are ways of making this easier for the officers and yourself - and less embarrassing.

Whether you are seasoned traveler or a first time backpacker, these tips should see you through.

Toiletries

Try buying small traveling versions of your usual shampoos and toothpastes and use heavy-duty see-through plastic bags (zip-lock bags are ideal) to put them in along with any other bottles of liquids you might want to take. This works two ways to help. It contains any potential spillages and also makes it easy for officers to view any suspicious shapes that they may have seen. It also makes them to remove to use in the aircraft for a quick freshen up. You might also want to extend the plastic bag option to any small items you may be carrying so they are easily accessible and kept together in one place.

Electricals

Try to avoid packing electrical equipment (including any battery operated items) in your carry-on luggage as these often set off the screening machines and a search. If you must pack them try to put them on the top of luggage so you can remove them quickly and easily - you should also make sure they are in working order as the officers might ask you to demonstrate them.

Medication

Any medication you need should be retained in it's original bottle with the prescription labels still attached to help officers assess their contents. If you need to take large amounts of any medication get a doctors note to avoid raising suspicions.

Sharp Objects

Don't pack any sharp objects as these will probably be confiscated. Remember basic items as nail files, bottle openers, pen knives and scissors could be seen as potential weapons.

Don't Panic

Above all, don't panic if you are subjected to a search, security staff are usually very fast and efficient, they know what they are looking for and will complete the search with as little fuss as possible. However they won't necessarily repack your bags for you and making sure you don't over pack can ensure the disruption to your luggage is kept to a minimum.

Remember you aren't the first and you certainly won't be the last to be searched!