How to breeze through airport security checks

Three things stood out about our officials in the wake of reports that a narc’s daughter was abducted, drugged and raped by narco-traffickers. One, they read the dailies. Two, they react to news fast. Three, they don’t do much in between.

Swiftest to react was President Arroyo, who furiously declared “all-out war” against drug lords. Following close in her heels was Speaker Nograles, who called for priority restoration of the death penalty for narco-traders. Admin congressmen barked to echo the two.

It was all for show though, no different from the office loafer who tries to look busy whenever the boss walks by. They pretended to care about the worsening drug menace. But when it turned out that the kidnap-rape was a bum steer, they fell silent. People started thinking: there already should be all-out war against drug lords — but there isn’t because Arroyo is busy surviving her term. Too, the many debates to repeal, restore and re-repeal capital punishment should’ve taught her legislators its merits, but didn’t because they were busy squandering pork barrels.

And so, till the next big headline.

* * *

Airport security checks can be a hassle, but not if you know what to do. Dan Tardecilla of the Office of Transportation Security says they want passengers to cross the checkpoints easily, onto safe flights. Officers in the country’s 84 airports are trained to screen efficiently. But travelers too must help simplify the process by familiarizing themselves with it. Dan’s tips:

Pre-departure

• Know your terminal. NAIA has four. Terminal-1, the old MIA, serves all international airlines, except PAL and Cebu Pacific. Terminal-2, or Centennial, has only PAL, in separate wings for domestic and international flights. Cebu Pacific domestic and international fly out of Terminal-3, the newest, along with PAL Express and Air Philippines. Zest Air and Sea Air operate from the Domestic Terminal.

• Allow enough time before departure for security screening and check-in. For international, two to three hours before departure is best. All airports have two security checkpoints, at the terminal entrance and before the boarding gates. Airline check-in personnel also follow international standards in screening passengers and baggage.

• Have the airline ticket and acceptable ID (passport, driver’s license, etc.) ready before entering the terminal.

Baggage

• Before using, look inside all pockets and remove items prohibited in air travel (firearms, bladed weapons, etc.). Pack carryon and checked luggage yourself, so you know what’s inside in case of questions.

• Organizing a bag’s contents by layer facilitates visual checks. Screeners take more time checking and clearing cluttered bags. Pack smart; innocuous items can appear as threats in an X-ray image. Load your bags one foot apart on the X-ray conveyor belt.

• Do not wrap gifts; screeners may unwrap them for inspection. If flying to international destinations, follow the rules on duty-free items, like liquor and wine. Shop personnel will assist you on destinations that have restrictions on certain items.

• Security officers are on the lookout for liquid explosives. To avoid delays, pack all liquids in your checked luggage. If you must carry liquids, aerosols, creams or gels, the containers must not exceed 10 ml, packed inside a 20 x 20 cm transparent re-sealable plastic bag. Only one bag per passenger, this must be separately placed in the service tray for X-ray. Declare any exempted liquids (medicines, breast milk, etc.) to the screener.

• Screeners may request you to switch on laptops, digital cameras, and other electronic devices.

• Ask your airline customer service about items disallowed on board aircraft. When in doubt, leave it out. Bringing banned items not only may delay you and other passengers, but also require a police investigation.

Clothing

• Dress plainly. Screeners need to identify metals detected at checkpoints. If the metal detector alarms as you pass through, you will be required to undergo further screening, by hand wand or frisking.

• Before entering screening area, put loose change, keys, mobile phones, jewelry, and other metal objects inside the pocket of your jacket or carryon (that will pass through X-ray).

• At final checkpoint, travelers are required to remove shoes (aside from metal objects) and place these on the tray for X-ray. Slip-ons are easier to take off and put back on without having to sit down.

• Wearing bullets, dud or live, as amulet or lucky charm is barred.

• Avoid wearing bulky clothes, boots with laces, and other apparel that will make it difficult for the security officer to screen you properly.

• Think before you speak. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate bomb jokes, and threats will not be tolerated. You might miss your flight if taken in for questioning.

* * *

This note from Roque Tordesillas, ex-president of Rotary Club of Makati-West, should dispel doubt: “In reaction to Cathy Quiogue’s e-mail, our club twice officially expressed dismay about Jocjoc Bolante. We issued and published two resolutions, in Jan. 2006 and Nov. 2008. We called on Bolante ‘to reveal all he knows of the alleged fertilizer scam, particularly who ordered the payment of and received the money, for it is the only way he can get back his life, his dignity, and leave a legacy for his children; it is never too late to go back to the truth.’”

* * *

“Follow the road sign that says Love, and you will find Life.” Shafts of Light, Fr. Guido Arguelles, SJ

* * *

E-mail: [email protected]