Trying to get here?

Everyone who travels by air goes through airport security checkpoints. These checkpoints are operated by Transportation Security Officers from the Transportation Security Administration.

The checkpoints are there to make sure that terrorists can’t bring anything aboard the plane that would enable them to take it over or destroy it. These are called “prohibited items” and cannot be brought to a checkpoint, into the secure area of an airport, or aboard an aircraft.

Not only do all passengers go through checkpoints, their checked baggage is also screened. This may happen out of passengers’ view depending on the physical configuration at each airport.

It’s a good idea to prepare before you arrive at the airport so that you move more quickly and efficiently through the security process. Here are some suggestions to help make the process as smooth as possible.

There’s no particular style or type of clothing that you should wear from a security point of view. You are permitted to wear head coverings and religious garments during the screening process.You may be directed to additional screening if your clothing (religious or otherwise) is loose fitting or large enough to hide prohibited items.

In addition, certain clothing and accessories can set off an alarm on the metal detector and slow you down. Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry or other accessories that contain metal when traveling through the security checkpoints.

We encourage each adult traveler to keep his/her airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID available until exiting the security checkpoint (children are not required to show identification). The absence of proper identification will result in additional screening.

There are four ways to obtain a boarding pass:

* Go to your airline’s ticket counter at the airport
* Use curbside check-in
* Use your airline’s self-service ticket kiosk in the airport lobby
* Print the boarding pass from your airline’s website

If you aren’t traveling and need to go through the security checkpoint to accompany someone such as a child or other traveler with medical conditions who is traveling, check with the airline for required documentation.

These tips are brought to you by tropicaltravel.net! Click here to book!

Thinking about taking a trip sometime soon? Here are five good tips that everyone needs to know about getting from the ticket counters to your destination!

1) Allow Extra Time for Special Circumstances During busy periods, or when traveling with young children, infants, elderly or disabled passengers, you build in even more time.

2) Do Not Leave Your Car Unattended in Front of the Terminal!
Airport parking rules are being strictly enforced and your car may be quickly ticketed and towed.

3) Keep Your Photo Identification Handy
If you do not have a photo ID, make sure you have two pieces of identification, one of which must be issued by a government authority. Minors are not required to have identification. Failure to have proper identification may result in additional security scrutiny. Some airlines may prohibit you from boarding without proper ID. For international flights, airlines are required to collect your full name and ask you for a contact name and phone number.

4) Know What You Are Carrying
Watch your bags while you are at the airport and don’t accept packages from strangers. Be prepared to answer questions about who packed your bags and whether you might have left them unattended at any time. Think carefully and answer honestly–history has shown that criminals and terrorists use unwitting passengers to carry bombs or other dangerous items on board aircraft, either by tricking passengers into carrying packages or by simply slipping items into unwatched bags. If you have any doubts, say so.

5) Humor is Not an Option
Do not joke about having a bomb or firearm in your possession. Security personnel are trained to react when they hear these words. Penalties can be severe, and can include the possibility of time in prison and/or fines.

Book your next trip with us! tropicaltravel.net!

 Effective January 23 of this year, U.S citizens must carry passports to enter back into the United States from Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.  Due to these regulations, the board predicted a 2.2 percent decrease in tourism revenues, but the opposite happened.  Tourism in Mexico increased 20.2 percent in the first half of this year, compared to 2006.  As of January 31, 2008, travelers will need to present a government-issued I.D (e.g. driver’s license) and a proof of citizenship (e.g. birth certificate) or a green card, in order to re-enter the Country after travel.  Even though they had this increase, the new regulations still caused a stir.

 First, the US citizens flooded the congressional offices with calls complaining because the Department of State couldn’t keep up with the passport applications.  With over 1,200 inquiries within a four-month period between March and June, the turnaround time went from an average four to six weeks to a considerably longer 12 weeks or longer.  18.4 million Passports were issued for 2006, ending September 30.

 But the complications have been resolved, and in September the State Department announced that the processing times were back to normal, after bringing in 400 new people and continuing to hire more.  But the complaints will not end, as in no later than 2009, they may pass a requirement for travelers by land and sea to also carry passports.  There may be light at the end of the tunnel though, as the DHS has proposed a plan for the REAL ID; an enhanced driver’s license/identification card that will include the security features needed into the application process and the card itself.

 U.S. airlines expect 27 million passengers this Thanksgiving week.  The three busiest air travel days are expected to be this Wednesday, and the Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving, when the number of passengers daily as expected to be more than 2.5 million.  The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is expecting a 6 percent increase over the holiday period, while they expect to be up 4 percent over last year overall throughout all airlines.  Sea-Tac expects 102,000 passengers on Wednesday, 97,000 on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and 95,000 on the Monday after that.

 With the airline’s on-time performance through September having a weak 73 percent of flights arriving on time (the worst in 13 years), many are striving to help raise this percentage, along with other aspects to flying this holiday season.  The Bush administration is having the U.S. military make more airspace on the East Coast available for commercial airlines from Wednesday through the 25th of November.  But you can also help yourself by following a few guidelines for making your traveling as quick and easy as possible.

 First, you should prepare by checking in and printing your boarding pass at home from your airline’s website.  You should also double check to make sure you any important documents such as your driver’s license and other government-issued ID.  Another good idea is to arrive at the airport two hours before your flight to allow for traffic delays, time to find parking, and other unseen delays.

 Second, you should pack right and conveniently.  Try to travel with carry-on luggage only, but if you must check a suitcase, be sure to follow these tips.  First, be sure to pack your valuables (such as cameras, jewelry, laptop, etc.) and medications in your carry on, incase there are any complications with your checked luggage.  Also, don’t over pack as most airlines allow each passenger to take only two checked bags weighing no more than 50 lbs each.  Also be sure to luck your luggage with a TSA-approved lock which security screeners are able to open and relock.  And last, if taking any liquids or medicines, be sure to check the list of banned items to make sure you can take them along (you can do this online).

 An extra tip is to be sure to check your flight status and delays and weather problems (which you can do online).  So good luck traveling this Thanksgiving holiday, here’s hoping for few delays and minimal complications.

            MAXjet has made itself one of the most appealing airlines from the US to London .  As the first all-business-class airline on the North Atlantic , MAXjet accommodates their passengers above and beyond the call of duty.  They accommodate you even before you arrive at the airport, providing you with complimentary arrival guides online which offer detailed maps and latest happenings on either end of your journey and are updated often.  But once you arrive at the airport, the real pampering begins.

They start off by presenting you with your MAXjet invitation to the departure lounge.  The lounge at JFK offers a full-business center with free wireless, self-serve cappuccino machines, bar service, real leather loungers and plasma screens.  Next, you would board your flight, sitting into your 160-degree, real leather seat, and look around and realize you have leg and elbow room, room for you to take out your laptop and work, and storage space for your briefcase.  Next you dine with a four-course meal that starts off with champagne and salami canapés with smoked salmon China .  Then you get a choice of three entrees or the healthy, reduced calorie alternative.  You can choose between a New York strip steak with bliss potatoes, pan-seared halibut with cilantro-lime rice pilaf or wok-seared chicken breast.  And after your meal, if your still hungry or feel like snacking, they welcome you to raid the special “Chef’s Pantry,” where you can get from it - at any time during your flight – both healthy and non-so healthy snacks.  MAXjet also offers a commendable wine selection. 

And to end your journey with them (though you may never want it to end), you arrive at Stansted Airport in England .  This airport is the fastest growing airport in the United Kingdom .  There you will be offered a special room rate at the Radisson SAS Hotel which is just minutes away from the airport.  There, whether you plan to spend the night or not, you can indulge in a complimentary full SAS Super Buffet Breakfast and access to the Tadisson SAS Health Club for a shower or sauna.

Currently MAXjet flies from London to New York , Washington D.C and Las Vegas to England .  For more information visit www.maxjet.com.