Flying to USA - tips for 14 hour flight?

[Starfish]

As the title suggests, I am flying to San Francisco with DD on Monday for my brother's wedding. We are going for nine days and flying direct both ways.

I have few questions about the actual flight(s):

1) Is it true that all hand luggage needs to be inside a clear see-through plastic bag? Where do I get there bags from? Do I need to pre-pack into this bag at home, or is it something I get at the airport?

2) DD has her own seat. Is she allowed to take her own hand luggage or do we both have to fit all our stuff into one see-through bag?

3) I hear that any liquids in your hand luggage must be no more than 100ml. Is this 100ml total, or can I take multiple containers of liquids as long as each container is no bigger than 100ml??

4) Am I allowed to bring my laptop as hand luggsge? If so, can DD play games on it during the flight? (Pre-downloaded ones, not online obviously...)

5) I make my own cosmetics (ingredients include things like essential oils, olive oil, lemon juice, etc). Am I allowed to bring these into the US? (I would be taking them in my suitcase, not in hand luggage.)

Is there anything else I need to be aware of?? Any help and/or advice would be really appreciated. I don't travel well and dislike flying...

[krysalyss]

I am going to the US on Friday and I haven't heard about the clear hand baggage. I would have thought I would have heard as my itinerary specifically mentioned the special locks you need for the US. You will both have a luggage allowance. Laptop is usually ok as hand luggage and you can use it whe up in the air. I would declare the cosmetics because they could be classed as a biological product. Otherwise don't bring them. No sure about the liquid. But the airline probably lists everything you need to know.

[krysalyss]

I am looking at the Virgin Atlantic guidelines and it looks like containers with liquids need to all be put together in a clear plastic bag, but not the general hand luggage.
Virgin Atlantic Airways - Popup

[Starfish]

Thanks Krys.

I will have a look at that link.
I have heard many things about security and restrictions on flights to the US, but have trouble differentiating fact from fiction.

Where abouts are you going?

[sneakysparkle]

Im pretty sure that flying international you need ALL liquids or gels in your hand luggage, in see-through zip lock bags 25 x25cm, and all containers need to be 100ml or less. I can't remember what the total of your liquids has to be under, but I have a feeling its around 1L. I think coming back into Australia is when they are really strict.

If you have a seat for her then you will be able to take hand luggage for her. And yes, laptops can be carry-on.

Hope you have a great trip!

[Kaydee]

1) Is it true that all hand luggage needs to be inside a clear see-through plastic bag? Where do I get there bags from? Do I need to pre-pack into this bag at home, or is it something I get at the airport?

It sounds like you got your information muddled, hand luggage can just be in a carry on suitcase/backpack and you can both take one case each on the plane, so you don't need to squish both of your stuff into the one if you don't have room. I'm sure you have read the link about liquids, but basically 100mls with a maximum of 1 litre each packed into a zip-lock bag. You can get the bags (1ltr) at supermarkets. They do have these bags at the airport usually, but I suggest you get the zip-lock ones before you leave and bring some spare in your carry-on just in case you get a leakage or a hole (not fun!).

Who are you flying with? Most planes have individual entertainment consoles at each seat and they are usually jam packed full of cartoons, movies and games for kids (with an old-style nintendo type of controller on the remote). Personally I would pack the laptop in your main luggage and not take it on the plane. The less you have with you on the plane, the easier it will be. Especially when you go through security you will need to take the computer out of the bag and it's just a real hassle when you're travelling alone with kids.

Also, big tip... If you don't have some already, buy some kids' headphones before you leave (leapfrog has a great pair, I think Target has them) and an adapter that will fit the plane's sockets (it has two pins). Not too sure where to get it, online perhaps? I bought my pair at Melbourne airport. The headphones on the plane are always too big to fit kids' heads and before I came up with this brilliant idea my son used to constantly complain that they kept slipping off.
They look like this:Amazon.com: airplane headphone adapter

One more tip, TSA locks for your main suitases!

[Kaydee]

Im pretty sure that flying international you need ALL liquids or gels in your hand luggage, in see-through zip lock bags 25 x25cm, and all containers need to be 100ml or less. I can't remember what the total of your liquids has to be under, but I have a feeling its around 1L. I think coming back into Australia is when they are really strict.

No restrictions on the liquids you can carry in your check-in though - so just put as much as you can in there, shampoo etc... You'll probably find you won't use anything liquid apart from toothpaste on your travels.

Have a great time!

[krysalyss]

Hi starfish. I fly into LA for a day then on to Indiana. Its for work but hopefully will get to look around a little too. Have a great flight!

[Onelittleprincess]

I disagree on the laptop. If u can manage carrying it onto the plane do so. We have a rule with our carry on stuff. U take a pair of undies in case your luggage gets lost and any other valuables like camera and laptop. As these are things u don't want mishandled or lost.

[Starfish]

Thanks everyone.

I will be taking the laptop onboard as it belongs to my work, not me, so don't want to risk anything happening to it.

I will go to the electronics shop today and look at child headphones. That's a great idea.

The only question I still have is re my cosmetics - I need to take moisturiser onboard. I have no problem declaring my home made one (I have taken my home made stuff between NZ and OZ with no issues) but don't want to have to throw it away at the last minute. I am thinking of taking some general sorbolene to be on the safe side, but still, I'd prefer my lavender stuff...

[meow]

Your moisturiser would be fine... maybe you should declare it as food when you enter the states but they wouldn't take it off you. I wouldn't even bother declaring it as it's a cosmetic.

Wear shoes you and your daughter can slip on & off easily. Children are not to go through body scanners (they shouldn't suggest it but good to know your daughters rights) and if they suggest it to you I'd ask for the pat down instead personally.

[Taurean]

Your moisturiser must be in 100ml bottle or less and put in the plastic zip lock bag in your hand luggage otherwise pack it in your checked in luggage or they will toss it. Even lipsticks need to be put in the zip lock bag.

[Starfish]

Thanks for the tips everyone. The flight ended up being only 12 1/2 hours and DD slept for most of it. I got all the moisturisers, etc on board with no issues.

[Taurean]

Good to hear and brilliant that your DD slept for most of it!

[Onelittleprincess]

. Children are not to go through body scanners (they shouldn't suggest it but good to know your daughters rights) and if they suggest it to you I'd ask for the pat down instead personally.

Why shouldn't they? I wouldnt like my child to be pat down.