|
Midrand – Leading up to and during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a significant number of soccer fans will be using air travel to get to the various venues across the country. However, since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, countries around the world have tightened up on aviation security.
In order to ensure that your trip is without incident and as hassle free as possible, the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has issued a few tips on the do’s and don’ts of travelling by air. Make sure you take note of these tips, so that you don’t find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
So, you’ve packed your soccer jersey and have your tickets in hand. You are about to take to the skies and certainly can’t wait to root for your team. Before you hop on that airplane, take note of the following:
Do’s and don’ts to consider before arriving at the airport
Do:
· pack your own bags and do not let any person pack them for you;
· label your luggage with your name and address, preferably business address, for your own security;
· lock your bags and keep your valid travel documents (including identity document), money and other valuables with you at all times; and
· familiarise yourself with any item not permitted for carriage on board an aircraft (see below).
Do not:
· pack valuables in your checked baggage;
· carry any harmful, dangerous goods or sharp objects in your hand luggage. Such items will be confiscated at the security checkpoint. Examples of the items include:
o martial arts equipment;
o blunt instruments such as baseball and softball bats, clubs and batons;
o devices for shocking, such as stun guns and stun batons;
o disabling and incapacitating chemicals such as pepper spray and tear gas;
o DIY or working tools such as an axe or saw, crowbars, drills, chisels, screwdriver, and blowtorches;
o flammable objects such as gasoline, ethanol, paint, magnesium, firelighters;
o ammunition, firearms, replicas or toy guns capable of being mistaken for real weapons;
o bows, cross-bows, arrows, slingshots and catapults;
o sharp objects such as razor blades as well as scissors or knives with blades of more than 6 cm;
o radioactive material and explosives as well as anything that is capable of exploding, such as scuba tanks, fire extinguishers, or which display a flame symbol or flammable classification on the container such as perfumes.
Note that the list is not conclusive and you should contact your airline for further clarity.
Do’s and don’ts to consider while at the airport and on board
Do:
· keep your hand luggage with you all the time;
· observe and comply with security and information signs displayed;
· cooperate with security personnel and obey all security rules;
· report any suspicious-looking person/packages or unattended luggage to the airport staff or to the police;
· ensure that the items collected after screening are your own; and
· report any disturbing, unacceptable or suspicious behaviour to the cabin crew when on board.
Do not:
· enter or attempt to enter, or be in a Security Restricted Area if you have in your possession or under your control any harmful article, or if any harmful article has to your knowledge been placed within your reach and at your disposal - it is an offence;
· accept from any person unknown to you, any bag or item of which the content is unknown to you for carriage
· interfere with security officers’ duties at any given point;
· tamper with unattended baggage or items
· assault, intimidate or threaten crew members or passengers, whether physically or verbally;
· refuse to follow lawful instructions given by or on behalf of the aircraft commander or by a crew member; and
· tamper with any safety-related device on board the aircraft.
Remember that:
· failure to abide by the above provisions or any other rules as discharged by security officials or crew members will result in prosecution;
· you will be searched if you activate the archway metal detector in addition to random searches by the security officers; and
· jokes about weapons, bombings or hijackings will get you in prison faster than you can say the name of your favourite soccer player.
Oh, lastly, go easy on alcohol, whether before boarding or while on the aircraft. An airline may deny boarding any passenger that they suspect of being under the influence of alcohol or narcotic drugs. Also remember to pack comfy shoes, especially on long trips. Carrying some mints or chewing gum with you will help you get through a long trip in a confined space, especially if you have to offer them to the passenger sitting next to you.
|
