Air travelers carry on, with new restrictions

By Thurston Hatcher
CNN

(CNN) – The days when air travelers could stuff all their worldly possessions under the seat and in the overhead bin are officially over.

If you're taking to the air for the first time since the September 11 terrorist attacks and have been otherwise distracted, the airlines are allowing only one carry-on bag.

And that's just one of the changes, big and small, aimed at improving security and speeding up the screening process.

So as folks head out of town for the holidays, here's a quick primer on what to bring, and what not to bring, on your journey.

The carry-on changes aren't quite as bad as they sound. You are allowed to bring an additional "personal" item, which may include a purse, a camera bag, a laptop computer, a briefcase, a small backpack, a diaper bag or crutches.

And there's room for still more, since a book, an umbrella, or your jacket don't count in the allotments.

Requirements for carry-on bags vary by airline, but they typically must be no more than 45 linear inches (the length plus the depth plus the height) and fit under the seat in front of you, or in the aforementioned overhead bin.

When you're packing those carry-ons, it ought to go without saying by now that firearms, lighters, knives, cutting instruments and ice picks won't (or at least aren't supposed to) make it past security. That means no scissors, no metal nail files and – sorry, Grandma -- no knitting needles, but safety razors are OK.

While you're at it, leave out the fireworks, Mace, pepper spray, lighter fluid, hair-spray cans, and even perfume if the container holds more than 16 ounces.

You can still carry on cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices, but prepare for a little extra scrutiny at the security checkpoint. And make sure you put them in your bag before you reach the checkpoint.

As for keys, coins, pens, belt buckles and other metallic items that might set off the detector, stick them in your bag, too, or place them in the coin chute before going through the screening.

If you're planning to take some gifts along, hold off wrapping them until you get where you're going. Whether the packages are in your carry-on or your checked luggage, security officials may have to unwrap them if they can't detect what's inside. So save yourself the hassle.

Rules still vary somewhat from one airline to another, but many airlines will allow two checked bags with one carry-on, or three checked bags with no carry-on. If you exceed the allotment, prepare to pay $20 to $100 extra per bag.

For many of the airlines, anything over 70 pounds also counts as excess, so even if it's your only checked bag, you'll have to pay extra. The same goes for pieces exceeding 62 linear inches.