What not to wear in airport?

TSA Rules and Regulations: Locum Tenens Travel Tips

Locum tenens travel work can send you all across the country to interesting new places. Of course, you may find yourself on an airplane, which means going to the airport, standing in an airport security line, and abiding by TSA rules and regulations. This experience is never fun, but there are a few tips and tricks to help you roll through it like a pro. Here are six things to avoid bringing into the security line:

1. Complicated Shoes

Some airports are quite large, and you’ll definitely want to wear shoes that are comfortable for walking. Make sure your shoes are easy to slip on and off because most airport securities require you to remove them temporarily. You do not want to be that person, slowing down the line because you’re struggling with strappy sandals or knotted laces. In addition, wearing socks is important, otherwise you may find yourself walking through security in bare feet.

2. Anything Metal

Metal jewelry and piercings can set off the metal detector. Likewise, belt buckles can easily cause issues, and most TSA rules and regulations require you to remove them anyway. If you want to be a travel pro, choose a belt-free outfit — or at least preemptively remove your belt and put it in the bin with your phone and wallet. Metal fasteners on clothing and even the keys you accidentally leave in your pocket could require you to undergo extra screening. Finally, minimize the number of bobby pins or metal-heavy barrettes in your hair.

3. Big Luggage

Remember, TSA rules and regulations only allow one smaller-sized suitcase and one carry-on item when boarding the plane. Don’t attempt to move through security with more than these items because you may find yourself being told to check your bags and start over at the back of the line. In addition, you’ll want to keep your luggage organized: place electronics and liquids near the top so they’re easily accessible when you need to pull them out.

4. Jackets and Coats

During airport screening, you’ll be asked to remove coats and jackets, including bulky outerwear such as hoodies, parkas, sweaters, and vests. It’s OK to wear a coat to the airport, of course, but it helps the security line move faster if you remember to take it off and put it in a screening bin before proceeding through the metal detector or body scanner (AIT).

5. Baggy Clothing

While baggy clothing isn’t prohibited, TSA rules and regulations may require you to undergo extra screening if they cannot clear you as safe to travel. Baggy clothing can include low-hanging pants, flowy skirts, heavy sweaters or sweatshirts, and loose dresses – things that would allow malicious travelers to hide prohibited items. Airport security may need to do a pat-down inspection if your clothes are too loose and they suspect you may be hiding prohibited items.

10 Things Not to Wear on a Plane

The rules of in-flight fashion are different from those on the ground. When you’re sitting for hours in a metal tube flying 35,000 feet in the air, comfort trumps style. Wear an outfit that keeps you cozy and relaxed, and you’ll likely appear more chic than the traveler struggling with heavy bags in four-inch stilettos or the one sweating in too-tight synthetic fabrics. To look and feel your best while jet-setting, avoid the following in-flight fashion faux pas.

Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and Airfarewatchdog may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them.

Uncomfortable Shoes

This one seems obvious. Still, I’ve yet to board a plane without spotting at least one flyer tottering down the aisle in pumps. A good pair of comfortable shoes will make it easier for you to hoof it around the airport and sprint to the gate if you need to make a connection. Furthermore, wearing your bulkier shoes instead of stashing them in your suitcase while donning sandals or stilettos will free up some room—and some weight—in your checked or carry-on bag.

Complicated Shoes

Lace-up boots, strappy heels, sandals with more buckles than you can count — they’re the nightmare of every in-a-rush business traveler who must stand behind you as you undo myriad straps and laces. Wear simple slip-on shoes or sneakers when flying, as you’ll have to take them off in the airport security line.

Fabrics That Don’t Breathe

Shun any fabrics that lack breathability, such as nylon or leatherette. Add your rubber raincoat or waterproof jacket to this list as well. (Note, however, that some high-quality waterproof jackets, like outerwear made from Gore-Tex, are quite breathable. It all depends on what it’s made of.) Less breathable fabrics hold sweat on the skin when it’s hot as well as prevent air circulation. You won’t feel very fashionable sweating in too-tight, synthetic clothes as your plane rests on the tarmac under the hot sun.

A foolproof way to find breathable clothes for the plane: Stick with moisture-wicking activewear (I recommend Prana) or clothes sold from travel suppliers like Magellan’s, which are designed specifically for travel.

Tight Clothing

Have you heard of deep vein thrombosis? Also known as DVT, this condition occurs when dangerous blood clots form in veins. Those blood clots can lead to a pulmonary embolism, which is potentially fatal. According to the University of Washington Medical Center, sitting for long periods of time can increase the risk for DVT, and so can constrictive clothing: «Avoid tight clothing, nylons, or socks (especially the type that are too tight at the top and/or leave marks on your skin) that might restrict blood flow through veins.» Compression stockings are a good choice for travelers interested in taking further steps to reduce the likelihood of DVT.

Complicated Clothing

Aircraft lavatories are tiny contrivances, about the size of a small closet or a very large Manhattan apartment. So maneuvering in and out of your pants can be, well, tricky. (That’s why someone invented Claspies.) Lest you drop your wallet in the toilet or fall and smash through the bathroom door, wear something that isn’t likely to cause difficulties in the plane bathroom. Avoid bodysuits or complicated wrap shirts or dresses, as well as long pants or skirts that may graze the unsanitary (and often disturbingly wet) lavatory ground.

Contact Lenses

According to Frommer’s, «The air in plane cabins is so dry (usually 10 percent to 20 percent humidity, sometimes as little as 1 percent, compared to the Sahara desert’s 20 percent to 25 percent humidity) that your health is challenged every time you fly.» Contacts can become uncomfortable to wear if your eyes dry out in the arid cabin, so either avoid them altogether or bring a pair of glasses to change into.

Perfume

Avoid this one for the good of your fellow passengers. Strong-smelling perfumes, colognes, body sprays, and so on shouldn’t be worn in flight. Some passengers may find your CK One offensive; others might suffer allergic reactions to synthetic fragrances. If you really must smell of the finest department-store brands upon arrival in your destination, pack a sample size and apply it once you land.

Warm-Weather Clothing

The key here is layers. It’s fine to wear lightweight fabrics on a plane. It may even be a smart strategy if you’re flying to or from a sweltering climate. But planes are often very cold—and blankets aren’t exactly freely distributed on many flights these days. So fight the air-conditioned chill by layering up.

Getting warm? Remove a few layers, bundle them, and then use them as a pillow.

Bonus: The more layers you can pile on your body, the less clothes you need to pack in your suitcase.

Offensive or Inappropriate Clothing

Carriers typically leave it up to flight attendants to judge whether a passenger’s garb is inappropriate for wear in the air. So how do you know if your outfit is appropriate? Learn from the past: Passengers have been removed from planes for wearing everything from low-cut dresses to baggy pants to T-shirts splashed with expletives. If you can’t wear it to church or dinner with your mother-in-law, you probably shouldn’t wear it on a flight.

A Mask with Vents or Valves

As anyone flying in 2022 knows, masks are an absolute must. However, some types of masks may not be allowed on your flight. Airlines are increasingly banning masks with ventilation valves aboard their aircraft, with carriers such as American Airlines, Alaska, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, and United implementing policies to that effect. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these valves «may allow your respiratory droplets to escape and reach others.» Be respectful of your in-flight neighbors and help keep everyone safe by wearing the proper face covering for the duration of your flight. You can find further mask recommendations from the CDC here.

This article was originally published by SmarterTravel under the title 9 Things Not to Wear on a Plane.

What Not To Wear – To The Airport…

Like the catwalks of Milan, London, Paris and Tokyo – the airport is a cruel place for fashion. Critics are everywhere, the stakes are high and virtually everyone is fifty shades of miserable. But if you want to break the mold, enjoying your flight while dazzling the critics, there are fashion do’s and some real fashion DONT’S.

Boots

Lace up or buckle? Who cares. You’re already annoying your fellow airport dwellers. Boots require priceless, wasted seconds prepping them for donning or un donning. Additionally, they’re usually clad with metal – sure to set off any detector. You’ve already failed. Pack em.

Obscene Logos

Yes, those “FBI: Female Body Inspector” t-shirts are a laugh a minute, said no one ever. Wearing clothes with provocative profanity, or drug logos is going to ensure additional screening, simply because you have failed the common sense test. Plus, passengers will think you’re a moron. Save that gear for your destination – where everyone will assume you’re a moron- thanks to your ironic taste in fashion.

Belts

Those things you wheeled into the airport or carry over your shoulder? That’s where your belt should be. Once you’re through security, lace that bad boy up, but until you avoid the “beep” you will just make enemies by wearing your belt. It’s impossible to look cool going through security anyway.

Layers On Layers

Planes can never be the right temperature, and yes, they’ll always be too hot – or too cold- but that doesn’t give you the right. Layers must be taken off for security, so layers waste time at security. Get down to the bare essentials and then assess the consummately imperfect temperature situation once on board. It’s what carry on baggage is for, other than headphones.

Metal Jewelery

Since virtually all jewelry is made out of some non to semi to precious metal, we could just say don’t wear jewelry. Much like your belt, it should be tucked into a purse, bag or suitcase – ready to delight the critics on the other side of the metal detectors. Just not before. We’ve got places to go.

Extra Baggy Clothes

Now don’t get us wrong. Stretchy jeans, sweatshirts and other comfy clothes make flights so much better. BUT – if you go too baggy, you’re guaranteed to get a pat down. Extra baggy clothes create more opportunity for concealment and thus more chance of getting flagged. Stay comfy, but not 90’s boy band video comfy.

Flip Flops

Fact: socks with sandals have never ever looked good. Second fact: if you wear sandals and don’t want to wear them with socks – your feet will touch the bare floor of the airport at some point. Also, people are ok with shoes off on the plane, but science has proven 89% of people say no to socks off. So you’re already offending 89% of travelers.

Cargo Pants

All those pockets, all those zippers – you’re just bound to forget something. Plus, all that metal. Cargo pants are great to travel in, but they’re all but guaranteed to slow you down. With that in mind, stick to the advice rampant across this post, wear something easy through security and then get fashioned out at the easy end of the journey.