What To Expect When Traveling With Children

By Clifford Gill


Airport authorities all throughout the world are strict in enforcing security measures in their continuing effort to ensure the safety of plane travelers. They will not ask you to do anything that will separate you from your child or children.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSAR) officers are specially trained and they understand your concern for your children. They will approach your children gently and treat them with respect. Some children might be distressed with the unfamiliar activity so the parents should cooperate with the officers to soothe and calm down the child.

Do not let small children stay in baby carriers going through the X-ray machines.

All carry-on baggage, including children's bags and items, must go through the X-ray machine. Toys, feeding bottles and diapers are subject to inspection.

All child-related equipment that will fit through the X-ray machine must go through the X-ray machine. Examples include: strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby slings.

When you arrive at the checkpoint, collapse or fold your child-related equipment. The contents and all that are inside the pockets and baskets are to be removed for separate inspection. Plastic bins are provided to deposit such items.

If a stroller or similar equipment cannot be inspected by an X-ray machine, then the security people will examine it visually and physically.

Security officers will be ready to extend assistance to passengers who will need help in gathering all their things.

If your child can walk without your assistance, we recommend that you and your child walk through the metal detector separately. If you are carrying your child through the metal detector and the alarm sounds, the Security Officer will have to additionally screen both you and your child.

Remove babies and children from their strollers or infant carriers so that the Security Officers can screen them individually.

As you go through the metal detector doors, you are not allowed to pass your child to the person next to you.

You cannot also give the child to a Security officer.

If necessary, help the Security Officer inspecting your child.

Always remember that the security people are doing the jobs that they are required and trained to do for your and everybody's sake. The least you can do is to not to make things difficult for all concerned.




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