» HAS Newsroom
Houston Airport System
June 2, 2008
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Kid's Play. Teaching children about air travel makes for a better trip for everyone.
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The bell has rung, school is out and thousands of school-age children are sleeping in, catching up on their favorite television shows and looking for something to do. If you’re planning on sending them over to grandma for a couple of weeks or taking them on a family vacation here are a few tips you should know before you head to the airport.
Airport authorities say traveling during this season is no different than any other holiday season. The only difference between a holiday and a non-holiday, they say, is the type of traveler.
“You get more children and grandparents. Entire families that are traveling through the airport and that probably aren’t as familiar with the security screening process as say routine business travelers,” says Jesus Saenz, customer service manager for the Houston Airport System (HAS). “We usually recommend travelers arrive with plenty of time before their flights just in case lines are moving slower than normal during holiday periods. A good rule of thumb is two hours before your flight if you are traveling inside the United States and at least three hours for international flights.”
In addition, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers a wealth of advice for passengers traveling with children.
One thing you should remember is that the TSA screens all individuals traveling through an airport regardless of their age, including infants. The more familiar with the security screening process your child is, the more enjoyable their trip – and ultimately your trip – will be. Even still, you should also know that you will never have to be separated from your child when going through the screening process. |
At Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport, travelers with children have the option of self-selecting a screening lane that is specialized to the needs of their families. A joint program known as the Black Diamond-Expert Traveler initiative was launched by HAS and the TSA earlier this year at that airport.
“We realize that travelers have a lot of different needs, especially when they are traveling with underage children,” says Mary Case, Hobby airport manager. “That’s why it was important for us to launch the Black Diamond-Expert Traveler initiative before the school year was over.”
If traveling with a stroller, know that all carry-on baggage and equipment must go through an X-ray machine. Diaper bags, blankets, toys, car and booster seats, backpacks, and baby swings are also included. Before you arrive at the checkpoint, collapse or fold your stroller or other child-related equipment; make sure to secure all items that may be in the pockets or baskets of the equipment; and place it on the X-ray belt for inspection.
If a particular piece of equipment does not fit through the X-ray machine let a TSA officer know and they will visually and physically inspect it.
For the walk through of the metal detector, if your child is able to walk without your assistance the TSA recommends that you each walk through individually. Keep in mind, that if you have to carry your child through the metal detectors and the alarm sounds, you and your child will have to individually go through a secondary screening process.
Obviously, you should remove your children from their strollers and carriers before you arrive at the security checkpoint. Do not to pass your child to anyone in front or behind you during the metal detector process.
Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in a zip-top bag. Nonetheless, these items will be inspected. No, you or your infant toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk, formula, or juice during the screening process. All other liquid and gel items must be packed according to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule.
One essential piece of advice, according to the TSA, and of particular importance to parents with prank-playing children is to remind them of the serious nature of verbal threats and comments. Be sure to talk to your kids about what kind of language is inappropriate for an airport environment. It is against the law for even children to make threats towards an airport and the TSA will take all menacing comments seriously.
Travelers should also remember they are required to present a valid U.S. passport when exiting or entering the country. This is in accordance with the Department of Homeland Security's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
“We’re expecting well over 12 million travelers during the three month summer travel season (June, July and August),” notes Saenz. “A lot of those passengers are going to be children and minors. The more they know about the travel process, the better off everyone will be.”
For more traveling tips from the Transportation Security Administration visit www.tsa.gov.
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