What are the rules for carry-ons now?

U.S. airline travelers now have a better idea of what they can … and can't … carry onboard an airliner under the new security procedures.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), finally responding to increasing passenger and airline complaints about uneven application of the rules, recently issued a list that is supposed to be followed at every airport by every airline.

If you have traveled by air recently, you may have been caught in the confusion from airport to airport that each seems to have its own standards. This serious confusion has led to delays and inconvenience for thousands of law-abiding passengers. In fact, this confusion has caused many people to stop airline travel altogether

As of now, a passenger can bring onboard one carry-on bag and one "personal bag," which is defined as a purse, laptop or briefcase. This translates into one carry-on and one personal item, which is open to interpretation, so be conservative in what you decide to carry on. For more information, go to www.faa.gov.

Items prohibited from aircraft cabins:

The following items must be placed in, or transported as, checked baggage or risk confiscation.
Knives of any length, composition or description
Cutting instruments of any kind and composition, including carpet knives and box cutters (and spare blades), any device with a folding or retractable blade, ice picks, straight razors, metal scissors and metal nail files
Corkscrews
Baseball/softball bats
Golf clubs
Pool cues
Ski poles
Hockey sticks
When in doubt, transport item in checked baggage
Permitted items:
Walking canes and umbrellas (once inspected to ensure prohibited items are not concealed)
Nail clippers
Safety razors (including disposable razors)
Syringes (with documented proof of medical need)
Tweezers
Eyelash curlers
The FAA has a centralized way for you to communicate comments, suggestions, and concerns related to the Sept. 11 tragedy and its impact on air travel -- by e-mail, fax, or by telephone. The e-mail address is 9-AWA-TELLFAA@faa.gov. The fax number is 202-267-5091. The telephone number -- staffed Mondays -- Fridays, 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time - is 1-866-289-9673.


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