Dinah asked me to check on today's regulations for airport security, and to see how long we'd need to wait in line. Here is my reply:
So, to my utter shock, the TSA has an incredibly useful and well-designed tool on their site for determining security waiting times -- updated with new data daily! It looks like we'll spend an absolute maximum of 11 minutes in line at the security checkpoint, and probably about 9 minutes:
http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/search?airport=SFO&day=Tuesday&time=13&submit=SUBMIT3
Whoa -- all that data is also available as XML. I think I just peed my pants.
As for prohibited items, no liquids or gels or aerosols in carryons. Electronics are fine. (Nobody's noticed that LCD stands for LIQUID Crystal Display.) Up to 4 oz of "personal lubricant" is allowed. (Not kidding.) Safety razors are OK to carry on. Sabers and spear guns are specifically prohibited. Same with cricket bats and cattle prods. Perhaps unsurprisingly, any brass knuckles or nunchakus you were planning on bringing must likewise be stored in your checked luggage.
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
Happy packing!
When I began pointing people here, I didn't realize you had to be a Vox member to comment. Anyway, I have a few invitations, so if you'd like one, email me.
It's 48 hours to takeoff, and I'm making the final preparations for my departure. The bag is packed, the clothes for the flight laid out, the documents safely stored. Dinah will be joining me on the first leg of the trip (ten days in Japan), then returning, only to jet off to England for work a day later. As you'd expect, I'm excited, a little bit scared, and sad to leave my friends and my city for two and a half months.
My next post is likely to be from our accomodations in Tokyo. (Their Skype username is right next to their phone number on their website. How cool is that?)
See you on the other side of the international date line.
