With holiday air travelers expected in record numbers this year, airlines are running extra flights, stocking additional personnel, and with the help of President Bush, using  military airspace along the east coast as an “express lane” for holiday travelers.  With Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) complete ban of carry-on liquids lifted, and other restrictions relaxed, security checkpoints are running a little more smoothly than they have in recent months.  

I know that many of us travel extensively throughout the year.  We’re all too familiar with the rules and regulations that accompany air travel; walking barefoot through security, ensuring our laptops are out of their cases, and when necessary, enduring the one-on-one personal search.   Although these measures may make our lives uncomfortable for a moment, the safety and security they provide are well worth the additional hassle. 

TSA currently requires that all airline-checked luggage remain unlocked.  Many travelers cringe at the thought of keeping their luggage unlocked through the duration of their air travels.  Some keep their bags locked only to find the locks cut when their bags reach their final destination.  Recognizing this concern, TSA developed a lock that ensures necessary access to a traveler’s suitcase, but also provides the security of a locked bag.  These locks have a user-created combination code for the luggage owner.  TSA keeps a universal master key on-hand to safely unlock and re-lock the luggage when necessary.   These combination locks are available at luggage and travel stores worldwide.  I found this device to be reassuring and I am appreciative of TSA’s solution to air traveler’s concerns about the safety of their bags.

For more information, check out TSA’s website http://www.tsa.gov.  Not only will you find information about the locks, but you can also view helpful travel tips provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

All of us at Market Connections wish you a happy, healthy holiday season.  No matter how you travel, travel safely during this busy time of year.

Share this article

Hide Sites

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 20th, 2007 at 5:28 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.