The rules change from week to week depending on the terror alert status. Imagine that. In such a short period of time travel planning has gone from what to pack so you’re not without, to what not to pack or else. I see a whole new cottage industry springing up here on disposable everything. Pack nothing now. Buy it while you’re there. Throw it away before leaving. Travel with only your toothbrush and the clothes on your back. But what about the souvenirs? Is this what it’s coming to?

Recently, as I stood a long security line at our local airport I watched as everyone in front of me had to remove their belts, jackets, shoes, laptops from their briefcases, and empty pockets. If a button, bobby pin or ring sets off the alarm you’re sent back through the metal detector, and just in case, still searched by security for double insurance. So is your carry-on.

By the time I got to the front of the line I quipped that I would start showing up in nothing but a bikini and flip-flops. The women in line giggled with a sigh of relief that someone else felt their frustration at the disrobing...and of course, the men laughed with relief at such a vision. Little did they know that it was my thighs that put the word cottage in cheese.

As uncomfortable as all these rules are, they are now a fact of life. They’re not going to change or go away so we need to get used to them and learn to properly prepare. When all is said and done, I am very happy that such extreme measures are being taken to protect the public. This is how it should have always been, but because it wasn’t, terrorists had easy access to airplanes and innocent lives. Flying today has never been safer.

The most important thing to remember is that airports and airlines vary in rules and not just based on the most recent terror alert. Some still check IDs at every checkpoint; others no longer check it at boarding. All still expect to see ID with boarding passes before or while passing through security. So it’s best to always have your ID and boarding pass ready to show at all times. Many people hold up lines because they’ve put these things back in their briefcase or purse, which means they have to put everything down so they can search for the items. You get enough people doing this and lines are delayed even longer.

The best thing to do just days before you leave on a trip is to check the latest security rules with the airlines on which you’re flying and how they apply at your departing and arriving airports. You don’t want to be blindsided with any surprises. Don’t assume, for example, that whatever Northwest rules are in Detroit the same apply to Miami. Each airline has their own set of rules and restrictions tailored to meet the regulations and requirements at each airport, which may slightly vary from state to state, airport to airport. So be sure to check on your airlines and their applicable procedures at each airport through which you’ll be flying. (CONTINUE...)