Travel Tips

How many bags can you check on the airplane?
Check with your individual airline for their rules and regulations as they continue to change their policies.

What is the maximum size for a carry-on bag?
The most common size is 9 x 14 x 22, but airlines may vary by a few inches. All five airlines at the QCIA have a two carry-on-bag limit. Personal items, such as a purse or briefcase, are considered as one of the two items. Many airlines offer gate checking for carry on items.

How soon should I be at the airport before my flight is scheduled to leave?
You should be at the airport 90 minutes to two hours before your flight is scheduled to leave. After you are cleared at the airline counter, you should proceed to the screening checkpoint where further screening will be conducted. Most airlines require you to be at the airline gate 20 - 30 minutes prior to departure time for boarding. All boarding announcements will be made by the airline.

How will Secure Flight affect me?

Under the Secure Flight Final Rule, TSA requires airlines to collect and transmit to TSA the following information:

• Full Name (required)
• Itinerary (required)
• Date of Birth (required)
• Gender (required)
• Redress Number (optional)

After making a reservation, most passengers will not experience any differences from the way they traveled before. Under the Final Rule, similar to the process before Secure Flight implementation, a passenger may be selected for additional screening at the airport, or may be deemed ineligible to fly, if his or her name is determined to be a match to one found on a watch list. Secure Flight strives to facilitate air travel for legitimate passengers by reducing the number of individuals who are misidentified through more effective watch list matching.

For those who encounter misidentification, Secure Flight helps prevent watch list name confusion by using DHS TRIP, the central processing point for redress inquiries. Requests received online are routed for redress to the appropriate DHS components. Components review the request and reach a determination about a traveler's status. Secure Flight uses the results of the redress process in its watch list matching process to help prevent future delays for misidentified passengers.

When does the full name requirement go into effect? When MUST my airline ticket match the name on my ID exactly?

Secure Flight requires that domestic aircraft operators request and collect full name as of May 15, 2009, and date of birth and gender as of August 15, 2009 for their domestic flights. For international flights, full name, date of birth, and gender must be requested and collected as of October 31, 2009. TSA has built some flexibility into the processes regarding passenger name accuracy. For the near future, small differences between the passenger’s ID and the passenger’s reservation information, such as the use of a middle initial instead of a full middle name or no middle name/initial at all, should not cause a problem for the passenger. Over time, passengers should strive to obtain consistency between the name on their ID and their travel information.

Does the name on all of my Identity Documents have to match? What if my driver’s license has only my middle initial, but my passport has my full name? Should I change my driver’s license to match my passport?

Secure Flight does not require that the names on all of your IDs be identical. Passengers should ensure, however, that the name used when making a reservation matches the ID that will be used when the passenger checks in. To illustrate this point using a hypothetical example, if a passenger’s current driver’s license reads “John C. Doe,” the passenger is not required to apply for a new driver’s license listing the complete middle name. However, if the passenger plans to use his driver’s license for identification purposes when traveling, he should ensure that he makes his flight reservation using the exact name on the driver’s license, “John C. Doe.”

Will Secure Flight affect my airline frequent flyer accounts? I have heard that if the name I use to make my reservation matches my ID but not my frequent flyer account that the airline’s frequent flyer system will not recognize my name. What should I do?

Passengers should ensure that the name used when making a reservation matches the ID that will be used when the passenger checks in. If that name differs from the one on their frequent flyer account, passengers should consult the aircraft operator frequent flyer program regarding the process to update their frequent flyer account information.

TSA Travel Tips-

For complete information about the following topics and more, click here

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age do you have to have a picture I.D.?
Passengers eighteen years or older must have a government issued, photo I.D. Examples include a state-issued drivers license, state I.D. card, military I.D., or passport. Children 18 and under DO need a passport if traveling internationally.

Should I pack my film in a carry-on or have it check through in my luggage?
The TSA has recently released new information about transporting film. In short, it says that ALL film should be placed in your carry on bag, along with a warning that states: "Equipment used for screening checked baggage will damage your undeveloped film." For more information refer to the TSA Travel Tips website at TSATravelTips.US, and read the Special Considerations topic, which includes a descriptive page regarding the inspection of film.

What if I have a pacemaker? Can I go through the metal detector?
The TSA Travel Tips Website states: "It is recommended (but not a requirement) that individuals with a pacemaker carry a Pacemaker Identification Card (ID) when going through airport security. Advise the screener that you have an implanted pacemaker. Show the screener your pacemaker ID, if you have one, and ask the screener to conduct a pat-down inspection rather than having you walk through the metal detector or be hand-wanded."

What happens if I can't make my flight?
You need to contact the airline or call your travel agent as soon as you know you will be missing your flight. Each airline has its own method of handling this situation. Some airlines have penalties and fees associated with missing notification deadlines (such as 24 hours prior to your flight, or midnight the night before your flight.) If you are delayed or cancelled due to weather and you have been checked in at the counter or are in the terminal, listen to appropriate airline announcements or check with the airline counter.

Hints for Travel:
1. Verify your reservations and flight times 24 hours before you leave. Leave itineraries, including flight times and flight numbers, with any friends or relatives who may be checking on the status of your incoming or outgoing flight.

2. Put your name and address on the outside and inside of your luggage or anything else you are carrying with you (i.e. - camera bags, shopping bags, any new purchases).  Any valuables must be placed in your carry on bags.

3. Remember, unattended bags are not allowed anywhere in the terminal. Do not walk away from your bags or possessions at any time!

If you would like to donate Frequent Flyer miles to the Make-A-Wish Foundation
http://donate.wish.org/donate/miles

Hotel Courtesy Phone Center
The reservation desk of ten local hotels is available at the touch of a button when you use the Courtesy Phone Center located in the baggage claim area of the airport.
Participating hotels are: