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What to Expect at Passenger Screening

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Packing Tips

Help us reduce the queues at passenger screening checkpoint by ensuring that you do not pack prohibited items in your hand luggage or checked baggage.

The following items must not be packed in your hand luggage. They must be placed in your checked luggage.

If these items are discovered in your carry on / hand luggage, they will be confiscated and not returned:

  • Scissors (except where both blades are round-ended or less than three centimetres).
  • Razor blades (razors that have the blade set into a plastic moulding are allowed, but razors that can be opened and the razor blade removed are prohibited).
  • Knives with blades of any length.
  • Household cutlery (large spoons/tablespoons are NOT permitted, however small teaspoons are allowed).
  • Hypodermic needles (unless required for medical reasons, for which proof will be required).
  • Tools (including multi-tools and penknives).
  • Catapults.
  • Corkscrews.
  • Walking/hiking poles.
  • Toy/replica guns (metal or plastic).
  • Sporting bats.
  • Darts.
  • Billiard, snooker or pool cues.

How Early to Arrive

You are advised to check in as early as possible. As a general guide, you should allow:

  • Two and a half (2.5) hours before scheduled departure for flights departing between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (Friday – Sunday).
  • Two hours before all other scheduled departing flights.
  • Ninety (90) minutes before scheduled domestic flights.

Before You Check In

To save time, have your ticket and passport ready and ensure your hand luggage contains only valuables and items you will need during the journey.

Once your hold or checked luggage is checked in, you can proceed to passenger screening.

It pays to clear the passenger screening checkpoint early and give yourself time to relax before your flight, enjoy the shops, cafe and bar in the departure lounge and get to your gate in plenty of time.

Please be aware that there are limits on the number and size of bags and on the quantity of liquid items which can be carried through security control.

For most destinations anything you buy after passenger screening can be taken onto the aircraft – store staff will be able to advise you.

Passenger Screening Checkpoint

What else can I do to help me go through security faster?

  • Remove laptops and other large electrical equipment from your bag. 
  • Put all small items like keys, coins, mobile phones into your coat or hand baggage and place these into a tray.
  • Place your hand baggage into the tray.
  • If you have liquids in containers of 100ml (3oz) or less, you can put these into a clear resealable 1 quart bag. These items should be placed alongside other items in your tray.
  • If you have been asked to remove your shoes place them in the tray too.
  • Place any large electrical goods into a tray.
  • Any liquid/paste medicines in containers over 100ml (3oz) may require verification at the security checkpoint.
  • Place hand baggage onto the roller bed for x-ray.
  • Go through the security archway when called forward by one of the security officers.

When Going through Security

  • Persons can request a private security search; however, all items must go through the x-ray machine.
  • Have your passport and boarding pass ready for inspection.
  • If you are carrying liquids, please ensure that they are contained in transparent re-sealable bags and that they are in containers of 100ml (3oz) or less.
  • Remember, you can leave keys, coins, wallets and mobile phones in your jacket or coat pockets, but take off your coat while you are in the queue so you are ready to put them in a tray to go through the x-ray machines.
  • Large electrical items, such as laptops, will need to go through the x-ray machines separately, so get them ready by taking them out of your hand luggage.
  • Shoe removal is not mandatory; however, you may be required to take them off if so desired by the screener.
  • Your coat, transparent bag (including medicines) and, if asked, your shoes, all need to go in one tray, but your large electrical items will go through in another.
  • You may be asked to sample items from your plastic bag either by tasting them or by rubbing them on your skin, to make sure they’re safe.
  • Security Officers may search your bags after initial X-ray, and you may be asked to undergo a physical hand search.

During peak hours the wait time may be up to 60 minutes.

CONTACT CIAA

ciaa@caymanairports.com +1 (345) 943-7070