Flying Hints

Pre-Flight

What can you bring on the plane - Check TSA's listing for both carry-on and checked luggage:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

Check if your airline will charge for a checked bag.

If your airline charges a fee then also check with your credit card provider to see if they offer reimbursement for checked baggage fees.
Does your airline offer mileage credit for flights? International airlines might give credit for a US based airline mileage club - check to see what airlines they work with.
Check if your airline offers a mobile app - either for check in ease, for in-flight entertainment or for boarding passes.
Check in for your flight 24 hours ahead of your first flight.
Put a piece of paper with your address and contact information inside your suitcase in case the outside baggage tags are lost. This will help lost luggage to be returned to you.
You might want to attach a ribbon or put colored strips of duct tape on the side of your suitcase to make it easily identified when all of the other blue/black suitcases that all look alike are being unloaded at the airport.
Pack a lunch or snack items depending on times of your flights. If you are planning on eating during your actual flight, then make sure that your food is not odiferous...
Make sure that you have your boarding passes and passport and any other important papers before you leave for the airport.
Airport security: CLEAR, TSA Pre-check - register for these programs prior to travel if you would like to get through security easier.
Ask me about current requirements for "pre-chequeo" paperwork that might need to be filled out online before arriving in Honduras.

At the Airport and During Your Flight

Give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the airport early. Check with your airline for suggested times to arrive at your departure airport.
Make sure that you have removed any old baggage tags from your suitcases.
Bring an empty water bottle along with your carry-on. You can not bring the liquid through the TSA check but you can fill up as soon as you pass security. Staying hydrated during your flight will help combat the dry air inside the airplane. If your flight connections are not USA based, you will not have easy access to bottled/drinkable water unless you fill you water bottle at your last USA departure airport.
If your baggage does not come with you on your flight, make sure that you file a lost luggage claim with your airline BEFORE you leave the airport.

Arrival at SPS Airport

Welcome! You have just landed at the airport in San Pedro Sula, and we are so glad to see you here!
After you deplane, you will have a short walk across the tarmac and then will enter the airport building.
As you enter you will form lines for either residents or visitors - EXTRANJEROS. You will be able to talk to the immigration official as a family group - but if your group is not immediate family, then you will need to clear immigration individually.

When it is your turn to talk to the immigration official, you will need to show him your passport. He will ask you to look at the camera (remove your hat and/or glasses first!) and then when he indicates, place your fingers on the fingerprint scanner. He will stamp a date into your passport (this is your tourist visa, if you are a US citizen).
As you are talking with him, please let him know how long you plan to be in the country (i.e. show him your return flight info) to make sure he stamps your passport with enough days to be in the country. US citizens can receive up to 90 days in-country, but occasionally the official will approve a shorter amount, and you don't want to be caught paying a fee for over-staying your visa.

From there, you will see the luggage carousels. If the immigration lines are taking a longer time, you will probably find your luggage placed next to the far wall beyond the luggage carousels. There are luggage carts available if needed. After picking up your luggage, show the corresponding baggage tags to the officials, to prove the luggage is yours. You will need to send your luggage through an additional scanner before exiting - customs is looking for electronics and other items to tax. After you take your luggage off the scanning belt, follow the sign toward the exit (there is only one exit) and I'll be watching for you.

If your plane arrives early and you don't immediately see me - go over to the Dunkin' Donuts restaurant and I will meet you there. Feel free to connect to airport Wifi and send me a message.

Returning to the USA

Ask me about pre-check (prechequeo) paperwork that might need to be completed before going through airport security.
Check if your returning airport offers mobile passport - an app from the US Department of Customs that will allow your group to clear customs faster upon arrival in the USA. If several flights arrive at the airport at the same time, then border control and customs can take a large amount of time. Using the app should help speed up the process for you.
You will need to clear customs after the first flight that lands in the USA. If your first US entry is NOT at your final destination then be aware that you will need to clear customs and then collect your luggage and clear it through security again before continuing on your journey. If you purchased liquid items at a duty free shop in the airport then you will need to add those items to your suitcase at this time otherwise it will not clear through the US TSA security.
If you are not using the mobile passport app, your airport will most likely have you form lines in the immigration area. Then you will stop at a machine that lets you scan your passport information and takes a picture of you. Another wait in line... and you will talk to an immigration official. Again, you will show him your passport and the piece of paper either from the plane or from the machine scanner. He might ask you some questions such as why did you visit Honduras (they will be looking for a response from you such as "for a missions trip" or "to visit a friend." They might also ask you questions about if you brought back any type of animal product, etc. After being cleared by this official, you will be directed to the luggage carousels and will need to wait and collect your luggage before passing any customs officials. Every airport is different and some will have almost no customs officials and others may stop and talk to everyone who passes.
Remember that you are not allowed to bring back into the USA: fruits and vegetables, plants and cut flowers, meat or animal products or live animals (items that might harbor pests harmful to US agriculture). You may, though, bring back processed food such as jellies, canned meat or canned fruit, candies, etc.

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