Helpful Hints
Work with National Travel Systems, Your Travel Agent
A travel agent is a trained professional who offers expert travel guidance and planning to individuals, groups or businesses. NTS gathers your information and then, based on industry knowledge, personal experience and the most current government and industry information, recommends how best to serve you.
NTS gives you the peace of mind that comes with having confirmed reservations with all the necessary documentation and knowing that help is a phone call away. In the event of a problem, NTS will act as your advocate, ensuring that a solution is reached and, where appropriate, restitution is made.
NTS will save you time and money by doing all the necessary research to find the best deals for your money/travel needs.
Arrival and Check-In
- Arrive early. While airline recommendations vary on how long before departure passengers should arrive, a good rule of thumb is two hours. Be sure to allow extra time for parking and shuttle transportation
- All adult passengers must have a picture I.D. (driver’s license/passport). When making reservations, use the exact name appearing on the I.D. you will present at the airport.
Going To Your Gate
- Only ticketed passengers are allowed through security. An appropriate ticket documentation is required: a paper ticket, a boarding pass, or documentation of an e-ticket. The FAA requires that all such documentation include ticket numbers.
- Parents meeting unaccompanied minors and persons accompanied by healthcare assistants or guardians should contact their airline in advance to make special arrangements
- Do not joke about bombs or firearms. Don’t discuss terrorism, weapons or explosives
- Be prepared for additional screening for laptop computers, cell phones and other electronics
- Always keep your identification handy
- Always cooperate fully with all airport security personnel, other airline or airport staff and law enforcement officers.
Luggage
- Travel light. Smaller bags are easier to carry and stow and mean shorter waits at baggage claim and easier security/customs inspections
- Keep your luggage with you until it’s checked or stowed
- Don’t carry or pack anything for anyone else or agree to watch a stranger’s bag
- Remove old claim checks to avoid confusion
- Identify luggage inside and outside with your name, business address and telephone number, Inside, include a copy of your itinerary and a photocopy of the inside page of your passport
- Check your luggage early to ensure your bags make your originating and connecting flights.
Carry-On
- The FAA recommends passengers be allowed one carry-on bag plus a personal item, such as a purse or briefcase, but exact limits are set individually by each airline.
- Typically, the maximum size for a carry-on bag is 45 linear inches (height+width+depth)
- Check with NTS or the airline for information on carry-on luggage restrictions
- Pack prescription drugs (in original containers with a copy of the prescription), personal hygiene items, passports and important documents in your carry-on bag.
- Pack valuable items, such as jewelry, cameras and laptop computer, in your carry-on bag
- You cannot carry on sports equipment that could be used as a weapon, such as golf clubs, bats, pool sticks, ski poles or hockey sticks.
- You will not be allowed to carry on any cutting or puncturing instruments, including knives, scissors, metal nail files or box cutters
- Do not wrap gifts to carry on.
- Consider packing small loose items in a clear plastic zip-type bag.
- Leave your checked-in luggage unlocked. Security may need to open and hand search passenger checked-in luggage as part of the screening process. If you lock your bag and security must open it for screening, locks may be broken.
DO NOT Pack or Carry-On the Following
- Liquids, gels, lotions and other items of similar consistency.
- Fireworks, signal flares or other explosives
- Flammable materials (including matches)
- Drain cleaners or solvents
- Pressure containers (spray cans, butane fuel)
- Weapons (i.e. firearms, ammunition or mace)
- Other hazardous materials, such as dry ice, gasoline-powered tools, wet-cell batteries, camping equipment with fuel, radioactive materials, poisons or infectious substances