Do the increased security measures affect camera film?

No, absolutely not. Independent tests undertaken by the British Photographers' Liaison Committee (BPLC), to establish the full and exact details of any potential film damage caused by baggage screening machines at airports, have given the all-clear to current hand-luggage x-ray inspection systems installed at BAA airports. Please see our website for further detail on this if you are carrying professional film ISO 800 or above.

Can I carry gas hair tongs in my hand baggage?

Yes you can, but you are only allowed to carry the one gas cartridge that powers the appliance. But please  double check with your airline, as some carriers may restrict these items.

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Can I take a nail file on board?

Yes, providing it is not longer than 6cm.

Can I take nail scissors?

Yes, providing the blades are not longer than 6cm (measured from the fulcrum).

What about knitting needles?

Knitting needles are allowed.

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Can I take reading material with me?

Yes, you can carry on books and magazines, brought with you in your hand luggage, or purchased in the departure lounge.

Will I have to take my shoes off?

You should remove your footwear for security screening only if you are asked to do so by a security officer.

Can I carry glass items on?

Yes.

Can crash helmets be carried through security?

Yes, but please contact your airline  as some may operate additional restrictions.

Can I take my jewellery on board?

Yes, the only restriction here might be that some items could be categorised as ‘sharp objects’. If you have any doubts then please check the restrictions in this area.

Can I carry my house keys and car keys in my hand luggage (including the remote lock device)?

Yes, you may carry these either in your pocket (but remove them for screening at security) or in your hand baggage.

Can I now carry my glasses case with my glasses in them?

Yes.

What about umbrellas?

Umbrellas are permitted. They will be X-ray scanned at security control.

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What quantities of liquid medication can I take with me?

Passengers are allowed to take essential medicines sufficient for the trip. Amounts under 100ml should be placed in a transparent, plastic bag with other liquids.

For amounts over 100ml, prior approval from the airline and departure airport, and supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (eg a letter from your doctor or prescription), are required.

All liquids should be presented at security for X-ray inspection. You may be asked to verify the liquid by tasting.

I carry insulin and hypodermic needles. Is this allowed?

Yes, you are allowed to carry both the insulin and needles.

I am concerned about the temperature of my medicine in the hold.

The hold areas of an aircraft have different temperatures and customers should speak to their airline to ensure the medication could be stored correctly. The airline may wish to have medicines verified by an airport pharmacist

I would like to carry some non-prescribed medicine in tablet form, such as paracetamol. May I do that?

Yes, you can. There is no limit to what you carry in tablet or pill form, whether it is prescribed medication or not.

Can I carry an EpiPen in my hand luggage?

Yes.

I am asthmatic, can I carry an inhaler?

Yes you can, but any spare canisters must be in your hold luggage. You may be asked to verify the item.

I also have a spray, but for angina. Is this allowed?

Yes, you may carry esssential medicines for the trip. You may be asked to verify the item.

May I carry a blood pressure monitor in my hand luggage?

Yes, provided it complies with your airline's hand luggage rules. Please contact your airline if in doubt.

Can I carry my homeopathic medication, which is in liquid form, in my hand luggage?

The rules for homeopathic medicines are the same as for other liquid medicines.

We are transferring bone marrow and stem cells out of the country – can we carry them in our hand luggage?

The Anthony Nolan Trust should be notified and they in turn should fax the details to security.

I need to carry a liquid wig spray. Can I have this in my hand luggage?

Yes, up to 100ml, and it has to be presented in the transparent plastic bag.

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Am I allowed to take a baby-bag as well as my own cabin bag, if my child is sitting on my lap?

Please confirm the arrangements with your airline, as different operators have different rules on hand baggage.

Am I allowed to take my child’s pushchair to the gate?

Yes, you are allowed to take pushchairs, prams and buggies to the gate. These items will need to be X-rayed, though, and so your child/children will have to be lifted out at security. The security officers may make further checks of the pushchair.

Am I allowed to take children’s puzzle books, games and stickers on board?

Yes, you are allowed to carry these in your hand luggage through security and you can also buy them in the departure lounge.

Can I take wet wipes on the plane?

Yes, you can carry wet wipes.

Can I take milk powder with me to make up a bottle of milk on the plane?

Yes, you can carry milk powder.

What about a bottle or carton of prepared milk or sterilized water? Do they need to be a maximum of 100ml?

If you are travelling with an infant, these items can exceed 100ml and do not have to fit into the resealable bag. However, the amount must be sufficient for your trip only and you will be asked to taste 50 per cent of the containers. There are no limits for powder formula; bottled water is available in shops after security. Your airline can provide water during the flight.

Can you buy cartons of formula milk from the shops after security?

Yes. Boots sells Cow & Gate ready to drink formula in both 250ml and 500ml sizes after security. Every country which is implementing the new security arrangements has accepted that parents with babies should be able to carry sufficient baby food/milk for the journey, so "reasonable amounts" are exempted although you will be asked to open and taste at least 50per cent of the containers when going through BAA’s UK airports

What happens if the baby can only tolerate non-dairy and needs soya or rice milk?

We are required to test at least 50 per cent of the containers that you carry with you. The milk should be in bottles

What about jars of baby food?

If you are travelling with an infant, we are required to test at least 50% of the jars of infant or baby food that you bring with you. Try to only carry what you need for the journey. The jars do not need to go into the resealable bag.

What about puréed food in plastic pots or containers?

For an adult, pureed food is treated as a liquid.

Can we take baby car seats (for use on the plane) through security?

Yes. These may carried through security and you should check with your airline when you check in for your flight.

Can we carry sandwiches and crisps for the children?

Yes, crisps are fine and sandwiches with any type of filling are also permitted.

Can we carry children's liquid ibuprofen and paracetamol in our hand luggage?

Yes, carry sufficient for the trip and less than 100ml. You may need to test the liquid medicine by tasting it.

Can I take through a flask of boiling sterilised water?

No, sterilised water can only be permitted through security if it is decanted into baby bottles/beakers, not in one large flask. This will need to be completed before entering security as there are no facilities to decant the water. Passengers are reminded that they may be able to obtain boiling water by request from their airline.

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Can I take my musical instrument on board?

Yes, but please contact your airline as different operators have different rules. Instruments will be subject to X-ray screening. Some accessories, such as percussion mallets or wire brushes for drums, may not be allowed in your hand luggage.

I have a hat box. Can I take it with me in the cabin?

Yes, but only if it fits within any maximum dimensions for hand baggage set by your airline.

Can I carry my wedding dress on board?

Yes, providing it complies with any cabin baggage restrictions imposed by your airline.

How can you assure me that there will be no terrorists on my plane? I would also like to know what checks you make on all the staff working at the airport – how do you know there are no terrorists working in security? Or smuggling bombs on planes via the food that is put on to the planes?

The current state of heightened security in the UK is unprecedented and your concern is understandable. We are strictly regulated by the Department for Transport, who have always had procedures in place for us to follow to ensure adequate aviation security. We have processes in place for searching and screening both passengers and their luggage prior to their entry to restricted areas – this also includes screening of the catering provisions.

In addition, there are stringent procedures for screening and vetting all our employees prior to joining the airport’s workforce. These procedures are constantly reviewed, especially in such situations as the current security alert.

I am going on a scuba-diving holiday. How do I transport equipment such as airtanks and CO2 cartridges for buoyancy aid?

Air tanks for diving cannot be carried. Small non-toxic gas cylinders, for example those used for artificial limbs or in lifejackets, may be carried in the cabin or in hold baggage; however, you must check with your carrier as they must approve the carriage of such items.

Can I carry sports equipment such as flippers and fishing tackle in my hand baggage?

Yes, providing it complies with your airline's hand baggage regulations. There are limitations on sharp objects so you should double-check none of your equipment is covered by those restrictions.

Can I still padlock my hold luggage? Or does it have to be left open?

Yes, you can still padlock it, or use a combination lock. Luggage that is checked in the USA must either be left unlocked or locked with a special padlock approved by the TSA. Your carrier will be able to give you further details.

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Can I still buy and carry on my tax and duty-free goods?

Yes, absolutely (but to be clear, this is only with items purchased after security checks). Please note some airlines have strict rules and limits on the size and weight of baggage they will allow to be stored in the aircraft cabin. If you are flying within the EU you can have it stored until you come back using our Shop & Collect service. Just ask any of the retailers at the till.

Can I buy water and food in the departure lounge to take on board the flight?

Yes. You can take water on board all flights, including flights to the USA.

Can I buy duty and tax-free goods if I am flying to the USA?

Yes. If you are on a direct flight to the USA, you can "fly with everything you buy" after security. If you are transferring within the USA or Canada you will need to place your purchases over 100ml in your hold baggage, which all passengers have to pick up before transferring to their next flight. Please speak to a member of store staff for details.

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I am transferring through your airport and I will have come from the USA. I understand that in the USA, I am now allowed to carry small amounts of liquid, such as toiletries, in a clear bag as part of my hand baggage. Is it the same at your airport?

Yes, but no container must be more than 100ml, and all must fit into a single transparent, resealable plastic bag no larger than 1 litre (8in x 8in).

What about liquids if I am connecting from the EU?

If you are arriving from the EU, you can fly with all liquids purchased from your originating airport or on board your inbound flight, providing the liquids remain in the tamper-evident bag in which they were purchased. Additionally, the bag must contain proof of purchase within the previous 24 hours.

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What do I need to do with my transparent resealable bag?

Have it ready for inspection at security. Ensure it is fastened closed and kept separate to your hand luggage.

What else can I do to help me go through security faster?

• Remove laptops and other large electrical equipment from your bag and place them in a tray.
• Put all small items like keys, coins and mobile phones into your coat or hand baggage, then place these into a tray.
• If you have liquids in containers of 100ml or less, put them into a clear resealable bag, which should be placed alongside other items in your tray.
• If you have been asked to remove your shoes, place these in the tray too.
• Place hand baggage onto the roller bed for X-ray screening.
• Any liquid/paste medicines in containers over 100ml may require verification at the security checkpoint.
• Go through the security archway when called forward by one of the security officers.

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