Vacation Time: Part 2 - Packing to sail through customs - in any country.
Hey everyone.
I have been fighting a bout of the flu so, just able to do Part 2. I hope Part 1 helped someone!
So...
Air travel used to be such fun for me. I would take the most convoluted route possible so I could visit as many airports possible, buy a fridge magnet for that country (after all, technically, I have visited that country nah! so what if I did not leave the airport?) and wander through the airport shops wondering how Murtala Muhammed Airport would look all glommed up. It also helped me decide which airports to avoid, by the way. Like Charles de Gaulle Airport - cold as a frozen hell!
That was way back when, before the 9/11 Twin Tower attacks. That day heralded a change in airport travel processing that simultaneously made air travel safer and extremely bothersome.
Travelling in the cold months is the worst - you're all bundled up, you know? And then at airport security, you're undressing. Everything comes off. I knew, at the beginning, that what they'd have loved was to have everyone walk naked through the security machines, so I was not very surprised when the body scanners were quickly added to the process.
By the way, these scanners technologically strip off your clothes, so, yeah, the person viewing the screen just may be having the greatest peep show fun!
So, how best to get through the practicalities involved?
Packing properly is key. Generally, packing for a trip must involve thinking about your destination - activities, laundry services, where you will be staying and whom you will be staying with, if you plan to shop, weather.
The weather. ALWAYS check temperatures and weather conditions, and never assume that because it is "summer" it will be warm and dry. I've made that mistake twice - once on a July trip to London and New York with only "warm weather" clothing. Got to London and it was rainy and cold so had to wear my "travel" sweater and jeans the whole time (luckily only for 3 days). New York was no better. All our tour plans had to be cancelled. Second time was a trip to Dubai in February - frigging cold! I had listened to everyone who had said it would be nice and not hot and did not bother to check the weather forecast. Had to run to the mall for hoodies!
If you plan to replace your wardrobe, you either pack light, with just enough for the first few days or you pack all your old stuff with the intention of not bringing them back. Either way, you should have considered your luggage allowance, checked and planned for extra luggage - please do not do the Nigerian thing at the airport where you look surprised your bags are overweight and then ask "so, how are we going to do it". It is soooo annoying, especially to the agent who has like a million passengers to process within a certain time.
Food items - please check restrictions. Raw fish, snails, meat or poultry are all prohibited. Same as dry fish and products containing beef, chicken or fish stock (Maggi, Knorr Onga and the likes, Indomie Noodles and the likes.) Seeds, plants, fruits. Vegetable and Palm Oil - frozen or otherwise.
If going to the USA, please DO NOT LIE about having food items. If you lie and are caught, it will not only be embarrassing but you are also liable to be fined, even sent back home. So, please, no lying!
Pack properly, heeding restrictions and regulations and be within your allowances or be ready to pay.
Packing your hand luggage/carry on too must also be in line with your proposed carrier's rules and airport restrictions. It is a carry on, meant to have just the items you need on the flight - medications, change of clothing if you have an overnight flight with a layover or "just in case", travel size toiletries and your laptop, iPad or a book.
Airport restrictions mean liquids in containers above 100ml are not allowed. Invest in small sized Ziploc bags to put your liquids in BEFORE you leave home so you are not repacking at the airport. I also use these bags to pack smaller items so I can find them quickly in my bag.
If you have liquid medication in a large bottle, it would be best to find a clean small bottle and pour in the quantity you may need during the flight. Same for toiletries - travel size bottles are available for sale. Mini perfume bottles only. Ladies, your liquid foundation? Put a little in a small jar. Same for your face cream, hand cream. One tube of lipstick, one tube of gloss, mascara if you must and your compact. Small bottles of Hand Sanitizer. NO nail polish, please!
In general, ONLY essentials. The exception to the liquids is Baby Milk - but also, it is best to have small bottles for immediate use and then the powder. Cabin crew can always make up the bottle for you by adding warm water to the measured powder.
Put your bag of liquids (not more than TWO - you're not a mobile apothecary!) and your laptops and tablets (if they are in a sleeve, bring them out) in the outermost flap of your bag for easy access as you have to put all these in the trays at security.
NO sharp objects - emery boards instead of nail files, no scissors, no sewing needles. Guys, NO shaving implements, Swiss knives or penknives. No lighters or matches.
You should also take a look at the list of prohibited items available on the airlines' websites. Travel agents should also provide these lists, don't you think?
Having any of these prohibited items in your hand luggage just delays the time spent at security. If your bag is flagged, it has to be manually searched. And with so many people needing processing and not as many security staff, you could be looking at a 5 to 15 minute delay.
So, pack smart, get to the airport and get through security with minimum fuss and delays! And be sorry for the person whose bag is being searched - they didn't read this! Lol!
I have been fighting a bout of the flu so, just able to do Part 2. I hope Part 1 helped someone!
So...
Air travel used to be such fun for me. I would take the most convoluted route possible so I could visit as many airports possible, buy a fridge magnet for that country (after all, technically, I have visited that country nah! so what if I did not leave the airport?) and wander through the airport shops wondering how Murtala Muhammed Airport would look all glommed up. It also helped me decide which airports to avoid, by the way. Like Charles de Gaulle Airport - cold as a frozen hell!
That was way back when, before the 9/11 Twin Tower attacks. That day heralded a change in airport travel processing that simultaneously made air travel safer and extremely bothersome.
Travelling in the cold months is the worst - you're all bundled up, you know? And then at airport security, you're undressing. Everything comes off. I knew, at the beginning, that what they'd have loved was to have everyone walk naked through the security machines, so I was not very surprised when the body scanners were quickly added to the process.
By the way, these scanners technologically strip off your clothes, so, yeah, the person viewing the screen just may be having the greatest peep show fun!
So, how best to get through the practicalities involved?
Packing properly is key. Generally, packing for a trip must involve thinking about your destination - activities, laundry services, where you will be staying and whom you will be staying with, if you plan to shop, weather.
The weather. ALWAYS check temperatures and weather conditions, and never assume that because it is "summer" it will be warm and dry. I've made that mistake twice - once on a July trip to London and New York with only "warm weather" clothing. Got to London and it was rainy and cold so had to wear my "travel" sweater and jeans the whole time (luckily only for 3 days). New York was no better. All our tour plans had to be cancelled. Second time was a trip to Dubai in February - frigging cold! I had listened to everyone who had said it would be nice and not hot and did not bother to check the weather forecast. Had to run to the mall for hoodies!
If you plan to replace your wardrobe, you either pack light, with just enough for the first few days or you pack all your old stuff with the intention of not bringing them back. Either way, you should have considered your luggage allowance, checked and planned for extra luggage - please do not do the Nigerian thing at the airport where you look surprised your bags are overweight and then ask "so, how are we going to do it". It is soooo annoying, especially to the agent who has like a million passengers to process within a certain time.
Food items - please check restrictions. Raw fish, snails, meat or poultry are all prohibited. Same as dry fish and products containing beef, chicken or fish stock (Maggi, Knorr Onga and the likes, Indomie Noodles and the likes.) Seeds, plants, fruits. Vegetable and Palm Oil - frozen or otherwise.
If going to the USA, please DO NOT LIE about having food items. If you lie and are caught, it will not only be embarrassing but you are also liable to be fined, even sent back home. So, please, no lying!
Pack properly, heeding restrictions and regulations and be within your allowances or be ready to pay.
Packing your hand luggage/carry on too must also be in line with your proposed carrier's rules and airport restrictions. It is a carry on, meant to have just the items you need on the flight - medications, change of clothing if you have an overnight flight with a layover or "just in case", travel size toiletries and your laptop, iPad or a book.
Airport restrictions mean liquids in containers above 100ml are not allowed. Invest in small sized Ziploc bags to put your liquids in BEFORE you leave home so you are not repacking at the airport. I also use these bags to pack smaller items so I can find them quickly in my bag.
If you have liquid medication in a large bottle, it would be best to find a clean small bottle and pour in the quantity you may need during the flight. Same for toiletries - travel size bottles are available for sale. Mini perfume bottles only. Ladies, your liquid foundation? Put a little in a small jar. Same for your face cream, hand cream. One tube of lipstick, one tube of gloss, mascara if you must and your compact. Small bottles of Hand Sanitizer. NO nail polish, please!
In general, ONLY essentials. The exception to the liquids is Baby Milk - but also, it is best to have small bottles for immediate use and then the powder. Cabin crew can always make up the bottle for you by adding warm water to the measured powder.
Put your bag of liquids (not more than TWO - you're not a mobile apothecary!) and your laptops and tablets (if they are in a sleeve, bring them out) in the outermost flap of your bag for easy access as you have to put all these in the trays at security.
NO sharp objects - emery boards instead of nail files, no scissors, no sewing needles. Guys, NO shaving implements, Swiss knives or penknives. No lighters or matches.
You should also take a look at the list of prohibited items available on the airlines' websites. Travel agents should also provide these lists, don't you think?
Having any of these prohibited items in your hand luggage just delays the time spent at security. If your bag is flagged, it has to be manually searched. And with so many people needing processing and not as many security staff, you could be looking at a 5 to 15 minute delay.
So, pack smart, get to the airport and get through security with minimum fuss and delays! And be sorry for the person whose bag is being searched - they didn't read this! Lol!
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