are you flying ?

There are few questions that might be asked when you check-in before boarding. These following questions could be used as guide when packing and getting ready to travel by air.

Common questions airline personnel might ask you when you check in are as follows:

a) Are these your bags and did you pack them yourself?
Reason: If you admit these bags are yours and declared that you pack them yourself , indirectly it means that every single item in the bags are yours.

b) Are these bags always been in your possession since you packed them?
Reason: We should all be worried about our own bags. Let say if you go to the toilet, where do you leave the bags? If you not careful, someone in your absence might take advantage to put you in trouble by putting in illegal stuff without your knowledge!

c) Do you know the contents of your own bags?
Reason: It is to caution you that if you had left your bag unattended earlier, there are possibilities your bags been tampered.

d) Are you carrying anything for anyone else?
Reason: Did you watch Bridget Jones Diary when she was caught at the security/immigration for carrying dopes ? It wasn’t hers but her girlfriend’s but since it was in her possession, it is considered as her belonging. Make sure you know what you  carry in your bags

e) Is there any flammable or dangerous items in your bags such as lighter or matches?
Reason: You are allowed to carry these items but it  must be with you i.e. in your jeans/trousers pockets. These items fall into the list of Dangerous Goods Regulation. They could cause spontaneous combustion. If collecting match boxes is part of your hobby (matches provided in hotel rooms where you been staying), for safety reason, these items are not allowed to be checked in or kept in your hand luggage. It might start a fire even if you think it is safe for it to be in your luggage!!

f) Do you have any liquid, aerosol or gel items in containers more than 100ml in your hand luggage?
Reason: Under the Liquid, Aerosol, Gel requirements for international travels, you are not allowed to bring more than 100ml content. At the security check, the security officers will ask you to throw it in the bin. You might have an expensive bottle of lotion or hair gel in your hand luggage. And this would be a waste if you are asked to throw it.

g) Do you have any sharp items such as knife-like objects, scissors and equivalent in your hand luggage?
Reason: These items will be confiscated at the security check. What I personally experienced, the officers were curious when they saw my usb thumbdrive (my trip to Africa) maybe they have not seen that before and they held me for about half an hour for clarification.

Some airlines would ask all of these questions and some would ask few question upon checking in.
We should all be more concern and aware of the safety and security of travelling by air. It is different from travelling by road.

Being 30,000 feet above, we would want to arrive safe  and avoid hassle at the security check and I hope the tips would be a help.