New Air Travel Regulations that you Should Know About

Since the Christmas flight of NW 253 was threatened by a passenger who carried explosives aboard, the United States TSA, as well as many other international governments have implemented new travel security measures. These new measures are effecting passengers around the world. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano has cautioned, "These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere."

FamilyTravelForum.com reports there are 10 facts travelers should know. Here's what they are:

1. Enhanced security precautions are in place at all international airports with flights to the U.S.

2. Passengers must arrive especially early for any international flight as enhanced security on U.S. Bound flights is affecting all travel times

3. All carry-on bags are being subjected to extra security screenings, causing delays at security gates.

4. The Canadian government has banned all carry-on bags for passengers traveling to the U.S. because new screening requirements are causing excessive delays. Only exceptions are purses, cameras, coats, laptops, musical instruments, medical devices and items for baby care.

5. TSA urges all travelers to check as much carry-on baggage as possible but says that items such as car seats will be accepted on board flights.

6. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are both waiving some baggage fees for the mandatory checked baggage on flights to the U.S. from Mexico and Canada.

7. According to the TSA, all passengers regardless of age (including minors and unaccompanied minors) will be subject to additional screening if selected at random or if circumstances warrant.

8. Secondary passenger screenings are very likely to include full body pat-downs and manual inspection of all hand carried items.

9. In flight, at the discretion of the pilot and the individual airline, passengers may be required to stow all their personal belongings for any portion of the flight.

10. In flight, passengers may be required to remain in their seats with their hands fully exposed to view, for any portion of the flight but most likely, for the final hour of the flight.