Stay Safe – And Well – This Holiday Travel Season

By Judith Snyderman

Holiday air travel always takes patience and preparation. But this season there are new ways to improve the chances of smooth sailing to holiday destinations.  At a Nov. 19 press conference, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Rear Adm. (Dr.) Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General, United States Public Health Services, Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases offered some timely tips.

Napolitano said the Transportation Security Administration’s new secure flight program, which is being phased in, pre-screens passenger data against government watch lists on both domestic and international flights.  The main purpose is to prevent known, or suspected terrorists from obtaining boarding passes.  To clear security checkpoints with ease, she recommended, “When booking airline tickets, use your name as it appears on the government I.D. you plan to use when traveling,” said Napolitano.

She also said that in the past year, the TSA has expanded family lanes at X-ray security points to include every airport in the United States.  Infrequent travelers, families and anyone who needs assistance should take advantage of those lanes, Napolitano said.

Her advice on avoiding catching, or spreading H1N1 flu is to use commonsense and courtesy.

“Cover your cough or sneeze, wash hands regularly and stay home if you are sick,” she said.  She added that if you become ill with fever while away, stay put until 24 hours after the fever breaks.

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