I'm flying for the first time and need help in packing my carry-on luggage?

Question

I'm flying for the first time out of Charlotte to DC via US Airways. I'm not checking any luggage and want everything in my carry-on. I'm also taking a laptop and bag. I understand the liquids and gels have to be in quart size ziploc bag. What about prescriptions meds? Do they have to be in this ziploc bag? Razors? Toothbrushes? Hairbrushes? My digital camera, ac cords for camera and laptop? I'm just a newbie and want the security check to be quick and easy and I don't want to irriate the security with questions or look stupid cause I don't know what I'm doing.

Answer 1

The liquids need to be in the ziplock bag, otherwise security will take them from you.
No problem with other toiletries (hairbrush, toothbrush, meds, etc.) - just pack them.
There is no problem taking any kind of electronic device either - your laptop and camera etc.

You will have to go thru the security process. Probably have to take off your shoes and jacket and have those screened together with your carry-on bags.

Answer 2

Your bag has to be able to fit in the overhead compartment and if it can't they will insist it be checked. I fly frequently and the last time I flew you have to take your laptop out of the bag you carry it in and put it in a box and the other bag and put it in a box, your shoes have to be taken off. Your carry on bag will be in another, don't wear alot of heavy jewelry or you will have to take that off to because anything that sets off the security is going to slow you down. The liquids and toothpaste have to be the small trial size an if you are not going to be very long they should be suffiecient while you are gone. If you carry a cell phone turn it off and keep it and your camera and meds in your purse. I don't know about the airport in Charlotte but I live in the DC area and have flown out of Dulles many times and they are very strict with security. Give yourself plenty of time to go through security as last minute will not do especially on your return trip.
Good Luck.

Answer 3

Some airlines don't allow razors in hand luggage. The other things are fine but bear in mind that there are more stringent weight / bag-size restrictions in place now.

ALL your liquids & gels etc need to in one small ziplock bag - that includes medications. Not sure about tablets, but as most airlines frown upon food/drink bought before security, you should check with US Air.

Finally, your handluggage is (on most airlines now) only allowed to be ONE bag...so carry-on baggage plus a bag (if I understand you correctly) plus a laptop may not be permitted.

Go to US Airways website and see what they say about what you can carry on / bag sizes / number of items etc.


And even with all that, don't expect the security check to be quick. They weren't before, they certainly aren't now.

Answer 4

I don't know about taking a rasor... unless it is electric... everything in 1 ziploc bag.. the medium size bag... try to keep things together and don't offer any information unless asked..
they will run your checked baggage through a screening device and if they see anything they will stop you and look... other wise it will be ok
your checked and carry on baggage has to be a certain size or smaller and you can have 2 pieces usually.. so look at your airlines website and there is a description of things that you can take or not and size and weight of carry on baggage

Answer 5

Check www.tsa.com.
This website tells the latest info. regarding what you can and cannot carry on and how much. When I flew in December, I was only allowed 1 quart sized bag with only 3 liquid/gel items inside. They each could not be any larger than 3 ounces. Medications should be ok, as long as they are in the original containers. Razors also should be ok, as long as they are they are safety razors with the plastic covers intact.

I would caution you though that U.S. Airways only allows one carry-on plus one personal item per person. Your laptop should be considered a "person item," but if you have any other small item, like a briefcase, the airline will force you to check it in.
(see also: http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/baggage/baggagepolicies.aspx)

Answer 6

As far as the prescriptions they should be fine as long as the bottle has a label on it with your name etc. (basically just so they can prove it's yours). Power cords and everything are fine as are toothbrushes and hairbrushes. I don't think they will let you take razors in your carry on though, they wouldn't even let me take a nail file so i'm pretty sure razors are out. They will make you take your laptop out of the bag and run it through the screener seperatly, so make sure you can get to it easily. Good luck!

Answer 7

When in doubt always call and talk to them on what NOT to pack in a carry on. Call this number and talk to them about your situation.

Reservations 800-428-4322 - 24 hours

Go to the official US Airway site and see what their restrictions are. http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/travelplanning/advisory/default.aspx

Below is the actual site information

Carry-on Travel Policies

"Traveling from the UK and Paris (CDG)
Passengers traveling on flights out of the UK and Paris will only be permitted one piece of carry-on baggage.

Traveling with liquids in your carry-on baggage
As you prepare for your travels, take a few minutes to learn about what to expect at the airport. Travel size liquids, aerosols and gels are allowed in carry-on baggage if they are in containers that are 3.4 oz (100ml) or smaller.

Learn more about TSA policies.

How:

Pack your 3.4 oz. (100ml) containers in a single, clear, one-quart zip-top plastic bag. Empty containers (that could contain liquids) are not allowed; and neither are partially used larger containers.
Only one one-quart plastic bag is allowed per passenger, and the contents of the bag must fit comfortably inside.

A few examples:


Toothpaste
Beverages
Creams
Hair products
Sun screen
Mascara/lipgloss

The TSA liquid policy applies to gift items as well as toiletries. Ship them ahead of time or put them in your checked baggage.

A few examples:

Jam
Salsa
Snow globes
Liquid soaps
Perfumes

Remember, always arrive at the airport two hours before departure time for domestic flights and three hours before departure time for international flights."

Answer 8

For the meds... I would put in a seprate clear ziploc bag and make sure your name is on the bottles