Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/482857
Q U A L I TAT I V E R E S E A R C H C O N S U LTA N T S A S S O C I AT I O N 61 By Caroline Volpe n President n Compass Market Research LLC n Phoenixville, PA n caroline@compassmarketresearch.com Also, traveling light is no longer an option. I need a separate roll aboard just for the supplies, particularly the cooler bag (or two, depending on the length of the trip). I'm also learning more about security requirements and baggage allow- ances for both checked and carry-ons. I've learned that in Europe the airlines will only permit you to bring on enough milk for that travel itinerary. Since I'm traveling without my daughter, I have to baggage- check the milk. In the United States you can carry on any amount of milk, with or without the baby; it is considered a medi- cal supply. Unique Adventures Like me, I'm sure you have also experienced inconsistencies with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), but I've faced them at an entirely new level. For example, each city handles testing of the milk for explosives in a dif- ferent way. One city simply tested the cooler – inside and out. Another city removed the Ziploc bags that contained the individual milk bags and tested each of those bags for explosive residue. In yet another city, the TSA tested each individ- ual bag of milk. I never know what to expect; I leave plenty of time for whatever may happen. However, one European airport seems to pose the most challenges. The first time I had to go through security in the coun- try's capital city I was permitted only one small carry-on. So, my backpack was filled with a variety of electronics – my laptop, iPad, iPhone, Livescribe pen, Kindle, the pump device and, of course, all the power cords and chargers. As my backpack went through x-ray, security scrutinized the bag, particularly the pump. The female agent stared at it for a really long time, and even asked another "I admit I'm looking forward to the day when I have the 'normal' travel issues once again. In the meantime, I'm trying to enjoy the new travel adventures and the unique stories that come with it."