Pre-Departure Orientation Manual - US Agency for International ...

06/14/2012 New Edition
at a security checkpoint, visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration at Duty-Free Travel
Information, http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/duty_free_travel_alert.shtm.
CHECKED LUGGAGE
Luggage not hand-carried onto the airplane will travel in the airplane’s baggage compartment. Place in
these larger suitcases everything you do not need to use during your flight, your interview with customs
officials, or on route to lodging at your destination.
The luggage guidelines below summarize specific baggage allowances from a variety of airlines. Check
with your airline for current restrictions on the number and weight of bags you may check, before you
will be charged fees for overweight or excess baggage. You are responsible for baggage fees, therefore
plan to have enough cash on hand to cover these and other expenses on route to your training.
For travel to the U.S., most airlines allow two suitcases no larger than 158cm/62.2in each (total length,
width and height). Each bag usually must not weigh more than 20kg/44lbs for economy class tickets.
You incur a luggage fee based on the weight of your bags. Verify weight allowances and overweight fees
with your airline so you will not be surprised.
Many airlines originating within the U.S. now charge fees for all checked luggage. Costs range from $15
to more than $35 varying by airline for the first two bags checked in (the preferred limit), and higher
amounts for certain additional baggage. Verify allowances and fees with the airlines providing flights
within the U.S. which connect to your destination.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR BAGGAGE
Never leave your luggage, attaché or handbag unattended in any public place. Attach to each item a
name tag or business card along with the temporary airline tag. Include on the tag you name, address,
telephone and email address in both your home country and at your destination. Place the same
information and a copy of your itinerary inside your luggage on top of the contents, so officials may
identify them in the event the exterior tags are lost. Please note that in most cases your luggage must
be unlocked so it can be checked by security officers. If you do lock your luggage, it is highly
recommended that you use a Transportation Security Administration-approved lock.
If prior to your departure you do not have the address at your destination, use the contact information
for your program implementer: mark the label “to the attention of,” followed by the name of your
program implementer, their address, phone number and email address.
Remember to confirm that your luggage is checked through from your home country to your final
destination. If you must retrieve your luggage before your destination (for a change of flights or for
customs clearance), ask where you claim it and what procedures you need to follow.
Upon arrival at your first airport it the U.S., you must claim your baggage to go through U.S. Customs
inspection, even if it is checked through to your final destination. Once you clear customs, you may
recheck your luggage at the transit desk if you have an ongoing flight.
Keep baggage claim tickets in a safe place. You will need them to locate your luggage if it is delayed or
lost.
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