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Security & Safety

Passenger Security Awareness

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the federal agency responsible for securing U.S. transportation systems. Formed shortly after the tragedies of September 11, the agency is part of the Department of Homeland Security. The TSA is responsible for the screening of passengers and their belongings at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. For a comprehensive travel guide regarding information associated with TSA screening, please click here.

Articles and Press Releases Relevant to Safety and Security

Accommodations for U.S. Military Personnel

Source: Transportation Security Administration

Link: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1880.shtm

Military Family Member Gate Passes

Family members who want to accompany a military service member being deployed to the boarding gate or greet them returning from deployment at the arrival gate may receive passes to enter the secure area of the airport.

Interested military family members should contact their air carrier representative at the departure/arrival airport for proper local procedures.

Secure Flight and How It Affects You

Source: Transportation Security Administration

Link: www.tsa.gov

Under the Secure Flight rule, commercial airline passengers will see many benefits to air travel such as enhanced security and consistent customer service. Under Secure Flight, you will also notice that airlines will request additional information from you when making a reservation to fly within, into, out of, or over the continental United States.

Under the Secure Flight Final Rule, TSA will require airlines to collect and send to TSA the following information:

• Name as it appears on government-issued I.D. used when traveling (required)
• Date of Birth (required)
• Gender (required)
• Redress Number (optional)

Passengers are required to provide their name as it appears on their government-issued I.D. used when traveling, date of birth, and gender to allow TSA to perform watch list matching. TSA is not requiring you to provide other information such as passport information to aircraft operators. However, covered aircraft operators must send such information to TSA if it is provided by the passenger. Providing the optional information is beneficial to you as it helps ensure you are not misidentified as a person on a watch list. Secure Flight does NOT assign a score to individuals, use commercial data or predict behavior.
 

After making a reservation, most passengers would not experience any differences under the Final Rule from the way they travel today. Under the Secure Flight rule, as is the case today, a passenger may be selected for additional screening at the airport, or may be deemed ineligible to fly if his or her name matches one found on a watch list. Secure Flight will strive to facilitate air travel for legitimate passengers by reducing the number of individuals who are misidentified.
 

For those who encounter misidentification, Secure Flight will help prevent watch list name confusion by using DHS TRIP, the central processing point for redress inquiries. Requests received online will be routed for redress to the appropriate DHS components. who will review the request and reach a determination about a traveler's status. Secure Flight will use the results of the redress process in its watch list matching process to help prevent future delays for misidentified passengers.
 

Tips for Traveling:

• Provide the required and requested information when making a reservation to fly. This information may help prevent misidentifications during the watch list matching process and help expedite your travel.
• Be sure to bring the appropriate government-issued documentation  when flying. Many issues related to misidentification can be resolved by providing identification. Acceptable forms of identification could include an unexpired passport issued by a foreign government; an unexpired document issued by a U.S. Federal, State, or tribal government that includes the individual's name as it appears on their government-issued I.D. used when traveling, date of birth, photograph; or other documents that TSA may designate as valid verifying identity documents.
• Complete the DHS TRIP application process  if you believe you were mistakenly identified as a match to the watch list. By doing so, you can help prevent future misidentifications and delays at the airport.
• Arrive at the airport with ample time to check in before your flight. For most individuals, Secure Flight will expedite the check in process by reducing misidentifications, but some passengers may need to check in at the ticket counter and provide identification to proceed with check in.

Click here to find answers to many of your questions regarding Secure Flight on the "Travelers" section of the Transportation Secuirty Administration FAQ page.

h1n1 & air travel

Source: ABC News.com

Link: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/scared-swine-flu-avoid-germs-viruses-plane/story?id=8596700

Author: Lisa Stark and Shelia Evans

 Like seasonal influenza, 2009 H1N1 flu is spread primarily through person-to-person contact. Coughing and sneezing can send the virus airborne, where it can be inhaled by others. Touching surfaces or objects with the virus on them and then touching your mouth or nose also can lead to infection.

Any place where many people gather in close proximity – schools, churches, office buildings, shopping centers or airports -- provides opportunities for the virus to spread. Public areas of Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport are cleaned frequently, but facility cleaning alone cannot eliminate spread of seasonal or H1N1 influenza.

The Centers for Disease Control have provided helpful information on steps you can take to protect your health and that of others:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then dispose of the tissue in a waste receptacle
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaners, especially after you cough or sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – entry points for the virus.
• If you have a flu-like illness, stay home if possible for at least 24 hours after your fever falls below 100 degrees Fahrenheit without the use of aspirin or other fever-reducing medicine.

When you travel, consider carrying a small (3 ounces or less) bottle of alcohol-based hand cleaner or gel in your carry-on bag so you can disinfect your hands frequently, even onboard the aircraft. As you pack for your trip, be prepared by packing a supply of over-the-counter medicines and tissues in case you become ill while away. When possible, stay at least six feet apart from anyone who appears to have a flu-like illness

If you have flu-like symptoms, the best way to avoid spreading the disease is to defer travel and stay home. If you believe you may have H1N1 and cannot stay home:

• Wear a facemask if tolerable or use a tissue to cover a cough or sneeze
• After you cough or sneeze, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, if available, or with an alcohol-based hand cleaner to help reduce the likelihood you will spread the virus
• Sit at least six feet away from others if possible in airport gate areas and restaurants

For the most up-to-date guidance on 2009 H1N1 influenza, click on the links below.

Centers for Disease Control

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Georgia Department of Health

Links Relevant to Airport Secuirty:

Department of Homeland Security Advisory Alerts

3-1-1 for Carry-Ons

Acceptable Identification

Transportation Security Administration