Thanks to the Northwest Airlines terrorist attack attempt on Christmas Day, the major airlines and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are reacting in a way that will once again impact all passengers - making flying even less convenient and comfortable. This time, passenger carry-ons will be impacted in terms of what can be brought onto an airplane, and when items from a carry-on can be used during a flight. For example, one airline is insisting that all passengers remain seated for the final hour of a flight, and will no longer allow laptop computers to be used during that period.
As you go through security at any airport, plan on longer lines as TSA personnel will be looking closer at all carry-on bags and their contents. So, leave ample time in your schedule, and arrive to the airport at least 90 minutes early for a domestic flight.
Before packing your carry-on in preparation for an upcoming flight, check with your airline to determine if any new rules have been implemented. You'll discover that new guidelines and rules are being implemented daily. You can also check the TSA's website at www.tsa.gov.
UPDATE: January 12, 2010 - I recently took a trip which involved visits to several airports across the country, and didn't notice too much of a difference in security, in terms of how long it took to get through security check points. I understand from speaking with several people, that New York airports have experienced delays at security check points, but this doesn't seem to be a nationwide problem, despite the recent security threats.
The Fox World Travel website (http://www.gofox.com/tools/waittimes.php) offers an online airport wait time calculator which will help you determine how long it should take to get through airport security, based on the day and time you travel, and which airport you're flying out of. A realtime calculator is also typically available from the official TSA website (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/waittime.shtm), but it's currently "under construction."
TIP - While the wait times may not be longer, the TSA security personnel are clearly paying more attention to carry-on luggage. So, if you load up your carry-on with lots of electronic items, such as a laptop computer (or netbook), camera, iPod, eBook reader, noise-cancelling headphones, portable DVD player, plus adapters for your cell phone, and other devices (such as strangely shaped USB thumb drives), your bag may wind up getting hand-searched, which could delay you by five or 10 minutes.
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