Get updated with the current regulations on what may be taken aboard the aircraft. You can usually find this on the airport or airline web site. Currently you are not allowed to take liquids or creams, except in very small sizes, in your hand luggage. This includes toothpaste, facial creams, perfume and medication.

Remember to pack sharp objects such as tweezers, scissors, razor blades, nail files etc. in your checked baggage, as they will be confiscated from hand luggage. Everyone, even frequent fliers, should double check the contents of their pockets and bags, particularly carry-on luggage, to ensure no prohibited items were inadvertently packed.

To minimize the risk of damage or loss, don't pack fragile or valuable items in checked baggage. Take them with you in carry-on baggage, or ship them to your destination instead.

Do not wrap gifts. Take the packaging with you a wrap them when you reach your destination. If a wrapped gift sets off an alarm or cannot be seen clearly on an X-ray,  security officers will need to unwrap the gift to check it out

Put undeveloped film in carry-on baggage because equipment used to screen checked baggage will damage film. Also, high-speed and specialty film should not be put through X-ray machines, so passengers may ask security officers at the checkpoint to physically inspect film.

Remember to put identification tags inside and on all baggage including laptops. Give the address of your destination on the way out and your home address on the way back.

Do not lock bags. If airport security officers need to open a locked bag for inspection, they may have to break the lock.