Many students look forward to the month of March. The grass seems greener and the air fresher, however, ask any university student what is special to them about March and they will most certainly say Spring Break. Spring Break is a week long school break. At Texas A&M International University, Spring Break will be from Monday March 12 to Saturday March 17, 2012. During this week, students tend to relax, party, or head back home to be with family. Whichever your preference is this year, here are a couple of tips to keep in mind if you plan to fly home for Spring Break. With these tips your trip through an airport’s security checkpoint should be quick and hassle-free.
First make sure you have your boarding pass on hand. Remember no boarding pass no entry in to the waiting area of the airport. If you plan to check in a bag, please take it to the Transportation Security Administration’s Baggage area where your bag will be cleared for transport. You normally don’t have to wait to have your bag cleared, but practices vary according to airport. Simply leave it in the baggage area. If you plan to lock your checked bag, remember to use TSA approved locks, this way if TSA has to open your bag your lock won’t be damaged.In the event TSA has to open your bag, and it DOES NOT have a TSA approved lock, an airline agent will page you through the airport’s intercom. If you don’t reply to the call, TSA has the right to cut your lock and check your bag.
Once you check in your bag, or if you’re not checking in a bag, make your way to the security check point. As you approach this area make sure you have your boarding pass and a form of Identification in hand. You will need to present them to the TSA agent. If your primary form of Id is expired make sure you have a second form of id (ex. Passport/Card, DL, Residence Card, etc). You will also be asked to state your complete name as presented on the Identification provided. Follow up questions may be asked.
In the case of Laredo International Airport, Border Patrol agents work alongside TSA so interaction with these agents may occur. Remember NO BOARDING PASS NO ENTRY past this point. Your safety is TSA’s priority. The Laredo International Airport is not equipped to scan electronic boarding passes so remember to print your pass at home, or have the airline print it for you. If accompanied by friends/family they may accompany you up to a certain point without a boarding pass. If they need to accompany you to the airplane or want to see you depart, an ESCORT pass needs to be requested at the airline counter. However, you must keep in mind that No photography of a federal security checkpoints or its practice is allowed. So please take all your pictures downstairs and away for the screening checkpoint.
This concludes our first part of our Do’s and Don’ts of a Security Checkpoint. More information will be provided on our next week’s publication or you can visit TSA’sTravelersWebpage which provides you with more information.
(Gilbert Banuelos may be contacted at gilbertobanuelos@dusty.tamiu.edu )