As a result of the Christmas Day attempted terrorist act, air travelers can expect a more thorough and time consuming airport screening process. However, the combination of holiday travel volume and immediacy to the Christmas Day incident are causing significant periodic screening delays that are unlikely to continue. We need to get past this holiday travel week and then re-assess the true long term impact on expected check in time for domestic and international flights.

If you are traveling in the near future, below are additional security related issues that may be encountered.

Domestic Travel

Passengers on domestic flights should expect a heightened level of overall scrutiny during the check in process and while in flight. Cabin attendants are being encouraged to be vigilant for any passenger behavior thought to be suspicious. This would include frequent or prolonged use of the lavatory, abnormally frequent access to carry-on luggage or an attempt to take those items into the lavatory.

It is especially important to comply with any request from a uniformed crew member. This is not the time to pro-long the use of a laptop or delay taking your seat if advised to do so, for example.

International Travel (Including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean)

International travelers will see more noticeable changes.

• A higher percentage of travelers will receive secondary security screening; including questioning, wand sweep, pat-down and/or carry on luggage hand search.
• Carry-on luggage could be restricted to one piece and access could be restricted during various parts of the flight - especially the last hour.
• Passengers may be restricted to their seats during the last hour of the flight or longer. Short duration flights from Canada or Mexico may include requirements that passengers remain in their seats for the entire flight.
• The GPS flight locator screen that is now a common part of the on-board entertainment system of long haul aircraft could be disabled.
• Use of personal electronic devices could be restricted during parts of the flight, especially the last hour.

The in-flight security changes are being implemented at the discretion of the cabin attendants and captain. Therefore, they may or may not be deployed on any given flight. 

 

Pre-Departure Airport Arrival Times

 

Again, it's difficult to determine how this will develop once the holiday related travel volume subsides. It seems likely that by mid-January, the check-in/screening times for domestic flights will return to what was being seen prior to the event on Christmas Day. International flights will continue to require additional time at the airport. During the remainder of the holiday period it would be wise to arrive at the airport earlier than in the past even for domestic flights.

 

Please contact your Agent Team if you have questions about specific flights or circumstances.

 

Thanks!