Teesside Vacations

With new rules, restrictions and safety measures in effect, travel looks a lot different right now. Here's what you need to know before you head off to Teesside:

• Research if any travel restrictions apply to your origin and destination before booking. Also check if there are any conditions you'll need to follow on arrival, such as testing and quarantining.
• Wear a face mask even during airport screening. A TSA officer will require you to temporarily lower your mask to verify your identity.
• To minimize the risk of cross-contamination, place your boarding pass on the reader yourself and then hold it up for inspection. Do not hand your pass directly to a TSA officer.
• TSA is now allowing passengers to take one container of hand sanitizer, up to 12 oz (350 ml) in size, in carry-on baggage. This will need to be removed from your bag for screening.
• To reduce handling during the screening process, place items such as your phone, coins and keys into your carry-on instead of into the bins.
• Transport your food items in a clear plastic bag and also put them in a screening bin. Separating food from your carry-on makes it less likely that a TSA employee will need to open and touch your bag for inspection.

We've rounded up all the info you need to make your journey as pain-free as possible. Follow our tips and you'll be hightailing it through the airport and having a ball in Teesside in no time at all.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, pack in your passport, travel documents, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A thrilling book and a tablet filled with your favorite movies are always good options. If you hope to catch more than just forty winks, a neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll hop off the plane looking fresh and ready to go.
• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).
• The long, narrow aisles of a plane are not the best place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and take a cardigan as it can get quite cool inside the cabin on long-haul flights. Enclosed, flat shoes are always a good idea too.
• The condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation. Walking up and down the aisle and doing leg and foot exercises while seated helps to prevent this happening. Wearing a good-quality pair of compression socks can also help.

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight an enjoyable experience. Follow our tips and you'll be cruising through airport security and enjoying Teesside in no time flat.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an amazing flight experience is to pack ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, travel docs, bank cards and vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic gadgets or a thrilling book. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a spare change of clothes.
• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp or pointed objects, like your trusty Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as spray paint, flares and strong acids, are also prohibited.
• The narrow aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Layer yourself up with comfortable clothes and take a sweater as it can get chilly in the cabin during long-haul flights. Enclosed, flat shoes are always a good choice too.
• Unfortunately, a risk of flying long distances is developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clotting condition caused by extended periods of inactivity. To avoid this, take every opportunity to walk around and give your legs a stretch. Compression tights and socks are another easy way to help minimize this risk.

Being prepared before your flight will make your trip to Teesside quick and painless. Here are some handy tips for a stress-free journey past security:

• Your passport and travel documents will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them within easy reach so you don't hold up the line.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a chance you'll need to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a wise idea.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them safely away in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board.