We are just THREE days away from our big trip, and the first adventure we will all face together is getting through airport security. However, with some advanced planning and smart decisions, we can all make it through quickly and easily. Here are some tips:
Photo ID – Sometimes the airport checks IDs on our kids, and other times they don’t, but I don’t take any chances. Therefore, I ask that ALL students give me your photo ID Thursday at 2:00pm at one final meeting. I keep all the IDs together in one binder sorted alphabetically to make it easy for check-in. The ticketing agents love this and are usually extra-nice to us as a result. If you will need your ID to use a debit or credit card, just let me know and I will give it to your during the trip. Just keep it safe and prepare to give it back to me before the flight home. All adults will definitely need government-issued photo ID.
Reduce your metal – Try to wear as little metal as possible to the airport. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and even clothing with metal accessories attached to them always have the potential to set off the system (metal-rimmed eyeglasses are OK). Boys, if you’re into those big skater belt buckles (those “Famous Stars and Straps” buckles were really popular a couple years ago), leave them at home. Finally, any other objects (watch, camera, cell phone, iPod, coins) that could activate the metal detector should be placed in your backpack. Take some time BEFORE we get to the airport to do this, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. The only things that should be in your hand or in your pockets as you walk through security should be your boarding pass. You MUST have this with you when you walk through security.
Measure up – I’ve already told you that your checked suitcase should be no heavier than 45 pounds. The airlines set 50 pounds as the absolute maximum, but you’re probably going to bring back more than you went out with, so leave yourself some room.
Smart shoes – The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will require you to take off your shoes and place them in a bin to be scanned. Make sure to wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on (no double or triple knots in your laces), but keep in mind these are probably the same shoes you will wear throughout much of our first day on tour.
Sweatshirts, jackets, and hoodies – If your outer layer is one that can be easily shed (zip-up hoodie or jacket), be prepared. TSA may ask you to remove it, place it in a bin, and run it through the scanner. If it’s a pull-over sweater or sweatshirt, they generally will let you leave it on. I actually recommend that whatever warm coat you’re bringing on the trip you actually wear to the airport and DON’T pack it. It’s one less bulky item to pack in your suitcase and it could double as a pillow or a blanket on the plane.
Quart-size bags – If you’re toting tons of electronics with you (iPod, iPod charger, cell phone, cell phone charger, headphones) all in your backpack, it may look like you’re carrying some sort of explosive triggering device. Make your life and the life of your TSA screener easier by grouping these items into quart-size storage bags. I’m partial to the quart-size freezer bags because they’re a little sturdier. If the TSA screener has to open your bag, it will be easy for him to see you have nothing suspicious. Plus, it will be easier for you to find your stuff later without cords getting all tangled up.
Avoid liquids in carry-on – In the TSA 3-1-1 guide (available on http://ipptrip.com), it talks about the rule for bringing liquids in your carry-on. I’m not bringing ANY liquids in my carry-on luggage (my backpack). All my hair gel, toothpaste, shampoo, acne cream (OK, well I don’t use this any more, but you might), goes into my toiletry bag in my checked luggage. Why do you need hair gel or deodorant on the airplane? These guidelines are mostly geared to overnight travelers who pack everything into their carry-on, and that’s not us. Ooh, and I have one more tip for you. You know you can’t bring bottled water through airport security, right? But, Mr. Ippolito has been bugging you (and will continue to bug you) about staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water, right? Try this: pack an EMPTY water bottle in your carry-on bag. Once we get through security and we’re just hanging out in the terminal waiting to board the plane, go fill up your bottle at the drinking fountain. This can be one of those fancy refillable bottles, or simply an empty Aquafina bottle.
There are tons of other prohibited items that I'm not going into, but most of these are common sense. Here's a good rule: if it's not allowed at school, it's probably not allowed on a plane. Please ask Mr. Ippolito if you are unclear about what is prohibited and what is not.
“The Table” – When it comes to personal travel, I am a very inefficient packer. For some items, I pack way more than I need. For other items, I don’t pack enough or don’t pack it at all. Inevitably I forget something, and we end up stopping at Target or Walgreen’s or someplace like that to get what I didn’t pack.
We don’t have that luxury next week, which is why I am such a different traveler when I go on the East Coast Trip. My wife laughs at me, but I actually set out a folding table. On “The Table” I place my packing list and then item by item I lay everything out that I need. Deodorant: check. Toothpaste: check. iPod charger: check. Camera battery charger: check.
If you haven’t set up your own version of “The Table” yet, I urge you to consider it. Lay everything out in advance now so you know what you have and what you may still need to get. Places like Walgreen’s are not always easily accessible with the places we’re visiting and the schedule we’re on. Hotel gift shops often sell toothpaste and batteries and memory cards, but it is likely at a significantly higher price.
Our final student meeting will take place THURSDAY, 2:00 to 2:30! I originally tried to schedule a lunch meeting, but I realized that I have guest speakers this week and I can't get a sub when I have guests in my classroom. We’ll play a quick quiz game that will test students’ knowledge of everything we’ve learned about the trip so far (with prizes!). Want to “study” for the quiz game? I will draw from every e-mail I’ve sent out, the pre-departure meeting, the packing lists and tips sheets. Basically, it’s everything that’s on my blog: http://ipptrip.com.
Students—The next time I’ll see you is THURSDAY AT 2:00PM
Parents—I’ll see you FRIDAY AT 5:30 PM!
RVI
Photo ID – Sometimes the airport checks IDs on our kids, and other times they don’t, but I don’t take any chances. Therefore, I ask that ALL students give me your photo ID Thursday at 2:00pm at one final meeting. I keep all the IDs together in one binder sorted alphabetically to make it easy for check-in. The ticketing agents love this and are usually extra-nice to us as a result. If you will need your ID to use a debit or credit card, just let me know and I will give it to your during the trip. Just keep it safe and prepare to give it back to me before the flight home. All adults will definitely need government-issued photo ID.
Reduce your metal – Try to wear as little metal as possible to the airport. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and even clothing with metal accessories attached to them always have the potential to set off the system (metal-rimmed eyeglasses are OK). Boys, if you’re into those big skater belt buckles (those “Famous Stars and Straps” buckles were really popular a couple years ago), leave them at home. Finally, any other objects (watch, camera, cell phone, iPod, coins) that could activate the metal detector should be placed in your backpack. Take some time BEFORE we get to the airport to do this, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. The only things that should be in your hand or in your pockets as you walk through security should be your boarding pass. You MUST have this with you when you walk through security.
Measure up – I’ve already told you that your checked suitcase should be no heavier than 45 pounds. The airlines set 50 pounds as the absolute maximum, but you’re probably going to bring back more than you went out with, so leave yourself some room.
Smart shoes – The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will require you to take off your shoes and place them in a bin to be scanned. Make sure to wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on (no double or triple knots in your laces), but keep in mind these are probably the same shoes you will wear throughout much of our first day on tour.
Sweatshirts, jackets, and hoodies – If your outer layer is one that can be easily shed (zip-up hoodie or jacket), be prepared. TSA may ask you to remove it, place it in a bin, and run it through the scanner. If it’s a pull-over sweater or sweatshirt, they generally will let you leave it on. I actually recommend that whatever warm coat you’re bringing on the trip you actually wear to the airport and DON’T pack it. It’s one less bulky item to pack in your suitcase and it could double as a pillow or a blanket on the plane.
Quart-size bags – If you’re toting tons of electronics with you (iPod, iPod charger, cell phone, cell phone charger, headphones) all in your backpack, it may look like you’re carrying some sort of explosive triggering device. Make your life and the life of your TSA screener easier by grouping these items into quart-size storage bags. I’m partial to the quart-size freezer bags because they’re a little sturdier. If the TSA screener has to open your bag, it will be easy for him to see you have nothing suspicious. Plus, it will be easier for you to find your stuff later without cords getting all tangled up.
Avoid liquids in carry-on – In the TSA 3-1-1 guide (available on http://ipptrip.com), it talks about the rule for bringing liquids in your carry-on. I’m not bringing ANY liquids in my carry-on luggage (my backpack). All my hair gel, toothpaste, shampoo, acne cream (OK, well I don’t use this any more, but you might), goes into my toiletry bag in my checked luggage. Why do you need hair gel or deodorant on the airplane? These guidelines are mostly geared to overnight travelers who pack everything into their carry-on, and that’s not us. Ooh, and I have one more tip for you. You know you can’t bring bottled water through airport security, right? But, Mr. Ippolito has been bugging you (and will continue to bug you) about staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water, right? Try this: pack an EMPTY water bottle in your carry-on bag. Once we get through security and we’re just hanging out in the terminal waiting to board the plane, go fill up your bottle at the drinking fountain. This can be one of those fancy refillable bottles, or simply an empty Aquafina bottle.
There are tons of other prohibited items that I'm not going into, but most of these are common sense. Here's a good rule: if it's not allowed at school, it's probably not allowed on a plane. Please ask Mr. Ippolito if you are unclear about what is prohibited and what is not.
“The Table” – When it comes to personal travel, I am a very inefficient packer. For some items, I pack way more than I need. For other items, I don’t pack enough or don’t pack it at all. Inevitably I forget something, and we end up stopping at Target or Walgreen’s or someplace like that to get what I didn’t pack.
We don’t have that luxury next week, which is why I am such a different traveler when I go on the East Coast Trip. My wife laughs at me, but I actually set out a folding table. On “The Table” I place my packing list and then item by item I lay everything out that I need. Deodorant: check. Toothpaste: check. iPod charger: check. Camera battery charger: check.
If you haven’t set up your own version of “The Table” yet, I urge you to consider it. Lay everything out in advance now so you know what you have and what you may still need to get. Places like Walgreen’s are not always easily accessible with the places we’re visiting and the schedule we’re on. Hotel gift shops often sell toothpaste and batteries and memory cards, but it is likely at a significantly higher price.
Our final student meeting will take place THURSDAY, 2:00 to 2:30! I originally tried to schedule a lunch meeting, but I realized that I have guest speakers this week and I can't get a sub when I have guests in my classroom. We’ll play a quick quiz game that will test students’ knowledge of everything we’ve learned about the trip so far (with prizes!). Want to “study” for the quiz game? I will draw from every e-mail I’ve sent out, the pre-departure meeting, the packing lists and tips sheets. Basically, it’s everything that’s on my blog: http://ipptrip.com.
Students—The next time I’ll see you is THURSDAY AT 2:00PM
Parents—I’ll see you FRIDAY AT 5:30 PM!
RVI
No comments:
Post a Comment