Airport Passenger Check-In
Travelers can purchase a ticket, obtain a boarding pass and check luggage at the ticket counters located in the main lobby of the terminal. All passengers are required to check in at the ticket counter and obtain a boarding pass. Passengers 18 years of age and older should be prepared to present a valid photo ID (such as a driver's license or passport) along with their ticket at the ticket counter and security checkpoints. Boarding passes are required to pass beyond the security checkpoints. Please plan on arriving at least 11/2 hours prior to your flight.

Checked Baggage
To check baggage, passengers should proceed to the ticketing counter. All baggage must have identification on the outside. It is also a good idea to place identification on the inside of the luggage indicating home and destination contact numbers. Most luggage styles look similar. To simplify visual identification consider adding ribbons or distinctive luggage tags to the outside of your baggage. Never leave baggage unattended or agree to carry a bag for a person unknown to you.

As of January 1, 2003, the TSA began screening 100% of checked baggage at all commercial airports across the United States. This means that your luggage may be opened to facilitate the inspection process. Do not lock your luggage. If your bag is locked and the TSA needs to open your bag, the locks may have to be broken. The TSA is not liable for damage caused to locked bags that must be opened for security purposes.

Tips for Checked Luggage

* Do not put film in your checked baggage. Some of the new checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.

* Avoid packing food and drink items in checked baggage.

* Avoid over-packing your bag. This will make it easier for the screener to reseal your bag if it is opened for inspection. If possible spread your contents over several bags. Check with your airline or travel agent for maximum weight limitations and any fees that may apply.

* Spread out books and documents within your baggage; do not stack them on top of each other.
* Consider putting personal belongings in clear plastic bags. This will reduce the chance that a TSA screener will have to handle them.

Prohibited Items
There are a number of items that are prohibited from checked baggage. These include:

* Explosive materials including dynamite, flares/flare guns, fireworks, sparklers, gunpowder, etc.

* Flammable items including aerosols (excluding personal care or toiletries in limited quantities), fuels (including butane for cordless curling irons and camp stoves), gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, turpentine, paints, perfume (over 16 oz.), strike-anywhere matches etc.

* Chemicals and other dangerous items including liquid bleach, chlorine, wet batteries, compressed gas cylinders (including scuba tanks, CO2 cartridges, self-inflating rafts), poisons, infectious substances, dry ice, etc.

Carry-on Baggage
TSA regulations allow for one carry-on in addition to one personal item such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase, or camera case. During peak travel times, some airlines may reduce this limit to one. Average extra carry-on baggage should not exceed 9" high, 16" wide, and 19" long. For additional information regarding your carry on, please contact your airline.

When packing your carry-on bag, think carefully about the personal items you include. The screeners may have to open your bag and examine its contents. Additionally, consider putting personal belongings in clear plastic bags to reduce the chance that a TSA screener will have to handle them.

Keep any essentials such as prescriptions, personal hygiene items, passports, important documents and valuables (jewelry or cameras) with you.

Prohibited Items
Any item that might be construed as a weapon (such as a scissor, knife, small pocketknife, razor blade, needle, etc.) is prohibited beyond passenger screening checkpoints. Individuals who attempt to carry such items through security may be prosecuted for a misdemeanor offense, punishable by imprisonment of not more than one year, or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.

Do not attempt to carry on or check wrapped gifts. Wait to wrap gifts until you reach your destination, as these will likely need to be opened for inspection.

For further detail on prohibited items and travel safety tips, please visit the Transportation Safety Administration web site at www.tsa.gov.