Tips on Travel Preparation
Posted Mar 07, 2003

In this new era of heightened security, we share our personal experience with MurthyBulletin readers and visitors to MurthyDotCom, so that you may better prepare yourselves before travel. On a recent trip, Attorney Murthy was able to observe, first hand, the implementation of many changes in airport screening procedures. Although we have all been aware of tightening security, knowledge is very different from actually moving through the system and personally encountering the changes. So you should be cognizant and expect further changes to be instituted.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a division of the Department of Transportation, was established upon enactment of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act on November 19, 2001. Since that time, TSA has instituted standardized screening procedures at airports nationwide. The goal, of course, is national security and the safety of all travelers. In exchange for security, however, we experience some inconvenience and intrusion, to which most of us in the U.S. are unaccustomed.

Upon returning home from foreign travel, Attorney Murthy found in one of her bags a small slip of paper – a "Notification of Baggage Inspection." Among other things, this notice reveals that, should a bag be selected for inspection, an inspector is required to use whatever means necessary to gain access to the bag. This may include breaking locks and the notice releases TSA from any liability as a result. Obviously, an inspector had opened this particular bag and reviewed all personal contents.

If you plan to travel, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the new procedures that may have been implemented since the last time you traveled. Detailed information on security, access requirements, checkpoints for passengers and baggage, permitted and prohibited items, and recommendations for travel preparation is available at <http://www.TSATraveltips.us>. FAQs on the new procedures can be found at <http://129.33.119.130/public/faq.jsp>.