Randy Williams in Mauritania (Photo: Randy Williams)One of the questions I’m often asked is, “Where do you want to go next?” Usually, my answer is: “wherever the latest flight deal takes me!” Much like you, I have a travel bucket list—the often far-flung places we want to visit but for whatever reason, just haven’t made it there yet. But what if your travel bucket list became something different? Meet Randy “R-Dub!” Williams. He’s the host of the nationally syndicated [Sunday Night Slow Jams](https://slowjams.com/) program heard on radio stations around the world. If that sounds familiar, it might be because you’ve seen him on Shark Tank. But it’s not just a cool job that makes Randy unique: he has set foot in every single country in the world.Yep.All 193 of them.So, I caught up with Randy to find out how on Earth he pulled this off.Indonesia (Photo: Randy Williams)Jay: What part of the world are you in right now?Randy: At the moment, I'm actually home - which surprises many! I'm lucky enough to live and work in one of the world's most beautiful and temperate cities: San Diego! How lucky am I? As much as I love to travel and explore new places, I'm sincere when I say I enjoy coming home from a trip just as much as leaving for one. Vanuatu (Photo: Randy Williams)When were you first bitten by the travel bug?It didn't happen all at once but was instead a culmination of a few different things that led to me developing a completely unhealthy and ridiculous obsession with travel.I took my first solo trip when I was just 26 years old. My best friend and I planned a trip to Brazil, and after he canceled on me two years in a row, I decided just to go myself. I wasn't getting any younger and decided to just go for it. Boy, was I scared! Would this be like going to Disneyland by yourself? Well, those ten days in Brazil would go down as some of the very best days of my entire life. I found myself in literal tears when I was at the airport in Rio about to board my plane home. How could a country have so much impact on me? How could I have fallen in love with a geographical "place" and have feelings for a country the way I would for a woman? How is that even possible? I'd never felt such emotions about a "location." That first trip was life changing.Randy in Brazil (Photo: Randy Williams)But the very first bite from the travel bug probably started, in a way, when I was a young boy. I grew up in a pretty sheltered, middle-class suburb of Los Angeles. I remember, in fifth grade, "stowing" away with some of my friends who were "bussed-in" from the inner cities. Leaving my quiet and smallish town to spend the night at my friends' house in East L.A. or Highland Park…well, that was just an entirely different world for me. It might have only been 20 miles away from home, but it was a completely different country for all intents and purposes. I was out of my comfort zone, and yes, it was even a little scary for an 11-year-old, but I loved it. It excited me. I loved the thrill of being immersed in something so different. I guess from a young age, I've always felt the need to explore and even go to places I maybe "shouldn't" - I was 12 when I figured out the city's public transportation system, and I was on the move! Today, my most pleasurable trips are to places "regular people" don't go to. I enjoy being the only American, and sometimes, the only tourist, in general, walking around a random neighborhood in a country most of my friends have never heard of.Malawi (Photo: Randy Williams)When did you first set your sights on visiting every country on Earth? What made you set that goal?It wasn't until about ten years ago that I took on the crazy challenge of seeing every country on the planet. I had less than two weeks in Europe and decided to try hitting as many countries as possible during this one trip. I sailed through seven new countries and loved it! The thrill of seeing so many different places and experiencing so many varying cultures in a short amount of time was addicting. I remember thinking, "Wait a minute - I just saw seven countries in less than two weeks...if I just keep repeating this process each time I take a vacation, surely I can see every country in the world!"Of course, it doesn't work that way; those European countries are so easy to see all at once due to their size, proximity to each other, and transportation options. I had no idea how hard it would be to traverse the spread-out and tough-to-travel-to regions like Africa and the Pacific!But it was too late - I'd already made up my mind.A visit to Algeria (Photo: Randy Williams)How long did it take you to visit all of them?I am 46 years old, and I finished earlier this year, so you can say it took 46 years to see every country in the world! But if you want to get specific, my first challenge was to see all of Central and South America by the time I turned 40, and I did, right before the buzzer. It was really the last six years that I stepped on the gas and challenged myself to complete all 193.Across how many trips?There are too many to count, and I really have no clue! But over the last few years, my average trip would last around two weeks, where I'd see anywhere from three to ten-plus countries each trip.Lebanon (Photo: Randy Williams)Now, traveling the world isn’t your full-time job. You’re also in the radio industry. How do you manage to get so much time off to travel?Full disclosure: I'm not married and have no kids, so that opens a ton more time and options out of the gate.As far as the job, I've worked at my company for more than ten years, opening up the sought-after "four weeks" of vacation benefit. Add to that, I've negotiated extra vacation. If you add the 12 company holidays and two personal days, you're looking at about two full months of paid time off. And you better believe I use every single day each year! If it's a day off, chances are I am out of the country.Mongolia (Photo: Randy Williams)How do you plan one of your trips?While I was on a mission to finish all 193 countries, I planned each trip extremely methodically. I get across the ocean using [credit card] points, so my planning usually starts by finding an international flight that works for me: a flight using the least amount of points possible.That first destination is my jump-off point; then I simply look at the map and start hunting for the best and cheapest direct flights into other countries nearby, and finally, my flight home. Trying to see so many countries during a single two-week trip can be a real challenge.Most people go to one place: that means one, round-trip plane ticket.Not me: I pack in as many new nations as possible in a short amount of time. This is fairly easy to do in most of Europe, Latin America and many parts of Asia, but once you hit challenging regions like Africa and the Pacific, all bets are off! The lack of direct flights and lack of flights in and out of some of those places, in general, make traveling to multiple countries quickly next to impossible.I've spent months on end trying to figure out how to navigate through regions using [Google Flights](https://www.google.com/travel/flights) and an Excel sheet. It can be very nerve-wracking yet extremely rewarding when you make it work; then you just have to hope the flights actually happen! I counted one trip that had me on 21 planes in two weeks.Whoa! With so many flights in a short period of time, have you ever had a moment where one leg of the trip just didn’t go as planned?I got stuck in the Central African Republic once because the flight to Nairobi just simply never showed up. My friends wondered why I just didn't "hop a flight to another city" and re-route to my next destination. They didn't realize not all airports are like LAX, O'Hare, and CVG. In Bangui (Central African Republic) there were simply no other flights that day...to anywhere!Making a new friend in Kazakhstan (Photo: Randy Williams)So, I realize it’s probably difficult to just pick one, but can you share one of your favorite experiences while traveling?I mentioned Brazil earlier - probably my favorite. So, let's touch on Bangladesh. This was a little early on in my challenge to see every country in the world. As I met more and more people who were on this same mission (yes, there are others!), I would ask these seasoned travelers what their favorite and least favorite countries were. I remember a handful of these experts telling me Bangladesh was the absolute worst: crowded, dirty, chaotic. Bangladesh kept popping up as these expert globe-trotters' least favorite. For this reason, I was not looking forward to visiting Dhaka whatsoever, booking just one night there."Get me in and outta here, quick," I reasoned. However, to my surprise and shock, after just about 90 minutes on the ground, Bangladesh earned a "Top 10" spot on my "favorite countries list." I was enamored with the nation for so many reasons. I felt such a great vibe and had such a wonderful experience there - in a country I was expecting to really dislike.It just goes to show you that your preconceived ideas about a place can be totally wrong. I've always said the best part about travel is the sweet surprises along the way. You can plan all you want, but a vibe is a vibe, and you can never predict it - good or bad. You will only know once you go.Bhutan (Photo: Randy Williams)How do you save money on flights, hotels, and experiences when you travel?I play the "credit card miles game" like a sport. In fact, the recent restrictions from banks on just how many credit cards they'll give you and how many times you can earn a bonus were probably directly caused by me! Sorry. I'm a definite card "churner." "Churning" is the process of going through many credit cards quickly, to grab each big sign-on bonus before moving to the next. It's saved me hundreds of thousands of dollars in airfare over the last ten years. The key is to make sure you're never carrying a balance and paying interest. Otherwise, you're not winning!I don't save a ton on hotels because I am loyal to one brand - for the points and perks. This limits my choices and doesn't allow me to always pick the best deal. But for me, the benefits, like extra miles/points and perks like late checkouts and upgrades, are really worth it.Randy in Kenya (Photo: Randy Williams)Randy in Argentina (Photo: Randy Williams)What did traveling the world teach you about people?I have grown a lot by traveling. I'm not above admitting that some of the very people and cultures I'd feared in my twenties…I am attached to and adore now. I truly feel that traveling has made me a better person, and I'm happy to say I now have a friend in every country, and that's such a gift.My travels have also allowed me to connect in a special way with people I meet abroad or at home. Telling my Uzbek taxi driver or the Eritrean concierge that I’ve been to their country and telling them the things I loved about their home – it makes their day! Sometimes, they'll gush: "Wow! No one's ever even HEARD of my country, and you traveled there?" It makes them smile.Recently, a Moldovan cashier here in San Diego told me I was the first person she's ever met in America who'd actually been to her country. My travels have allowed me to make such special connections with people I might have normally just made a transaction with and gone about my day.Singapore (Photo: Randy Williams)This is a difficult question, but if you had to pick your three favorite countries, which would you choose and why?This is actually an easy one for me. Brazil gets the award for number one: it's the only country I've actually left everything in the USA for and moved to. I lived there in my early 30s and still have a condo in the northeastern beach town of Recife. The Philippines gets number two because they have the absolute friendliest people. And how lucky was I that my very last country would be one of my favorites?Turkmenistan is one of the least-visited countries in the world, but it is an absolute treasure for so many reasons. I don’t think there is enough room to go on about Turkmenistan, but let’s just say it’s one of the most mysterious, intriguing, unknown, and beautiful countries in the world. I was so happy my final country was so memorable, and it's at the top of my list to return to. I actually have some of the same feelings for Turkmenistan that I had for Brazil - a nagging itch that is telling me that I belong there for more than just a vacation Who knows? Maybe Turkmenistan will be my next home!Brazil (Photo: Randy Williams)What item(s) do you pack on every single trip?I am a staunch believer in never checking bags! [Editor’s note: CVG CEO Candace McGraw fully agrees!]There is something so liberating about jumping off a plane and immediately exiting the airport, leaving behind the mobs waiting for their bags. There’s no worries about lost or damaged bags either.I've got it down to a science: one backpack and a few changes of clothes. Of course, I take my phone and some travel-sized toiletries. But the final thing I can't travel without is sleep medication. Any prescription drug comes with responsibility, and I am aware of the risks, but there is nothing worse than getting your sleep completely turned around overseas and not being able to get back to normal. I once spent an entire week in Italy, sleeping from 8AM until 5PM and unable to sleep at all during "sleeping" hours. It was awful! Never again! What’s the thing that everyone thinks they need when they travel but probably don’t?A checked bag! You know what they say: "Take half the clothes and twice the money!" And whenever I see someone traveling with a pillow from home, I just want to tell them, "You know the hotel has complimentary pillows for you?!"Brunei (Photo: Randy Williams)Ha! So, what’s next? Are there countries you want to go back and spend more time checking out?That's the sweet part - the reward after all the "work." I can take a big breath now and slow down and return to the places I love, to unpack, stay longer, travel deeper. It's what I've been waiting for all this time.The list of places I've really fallen in love with is long, and I'm pretty sure my dance card will be full forever. I'll This past December I headed back to the Philippines for a couple weeks, which was amazing.In March, I will travel to Czechia (‘The Artist Formerly Known as The Czech Republic’) where I will visit long lost relatives for the first time and see the house where my great-grandfather was born. The list goes on and on.Randy in Azerbaijan (Photo: Randy Williams)And I also understand you created your own country?!Well, what do you do when you've seen all 193 countries? You create the 194th!The Republic of Slowjamastan is an 11-acre "micronation" located about 90 minutes south of Palm Springs, California. We have our own border fence and checkpoint, monument, flagpole and flag, passports, currency, police, fire and border vehicles, and the most glorious national anthem you've ever heard.Really, you should treat yourself and go down the rabbit hole that is Slowjamastan. It will not disappoint! Oh, and I'm "The Sultan" of Slowjamastan, let it be known! I know what you're thinking, and yes, my family does think I'm really weird for this one!A postcard from Slowjamistan (Photo: Randy Williams)Can we visit?Absolutely! And if you can't make it out in person, sign up to be a citizen online - it's free, and you'll be in good company. To date, Slowjamastan boasts over 16,000 registered citizens. You can apply at [www.slowjamastan.org](http://www.slowjamastan.org/).Randy as “The Sultan” of Slowjamistan (Photo: Randy Williams)What would you say to people who want to travel internationally but haven’t done it yet?Don't wait 'til tomorrow. Many years ago, I stopped collecting "things" and started amassing "experiences." You only live once, but by traveling the world, I truly feel like I have been blessed with a complete second life! I wish this for everyone. Randy making more friends in Bonaire (Photo: Randy Williams)You can follow Randy on his travel blog, [www.ramblinrandy.com](http://www.ramblinrandy.com/), and on [Instagram](http://instagram.com/rdub). Know someone with a cool travel story? I want to hear all about it at @JayKruzOfficial on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JayKruzOfficial), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jaykruzofficial/), and X ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/jaykruzofficial)). Find your own travel adventure for less on my [Jay’s Deals](https://www.cvgairport.com/jet-with-jay/) page.I’ll see you soon on an international flight to somewhere fun! -Jay

Brick is a hard-working canine officer and a lovable family dog. He and his human partner, officer Nick Ruffing, do a ‘pawsome’ job at keeping the airport safe and secure.What job does Brick do at CVG?Brick is one of the dogs at the airport that detects narcotics; the other type of dogs at CVG detect explosives. Being a German Shorthaired Pointer, he has a very strong nose and a lot of drive.How long has Brick been at the airport?He and his partner completed their training in November 2019.Tell us about Brick’s background.Brick was born in 2018 in Hungary. Many of the working dogs at CVG are from Europe; they are well traveled!Does he like coming to work?Brick, along with his canine officer friends, get very excited to come to work. They enjoy having jobs to do and keeping their minds active. While Brick and his canine friends are very cute, please remember to keep your paws off; the dogs are hard at work.How did Brick get his name?All CVG’s canine officers were named and received extensive training before they joined the police force.What does he do in his off time?When he’s off duty, Brick enjoys relaxing in his massive and luxurious doghouse and spending time with his family.

Soft furniture and squeezy chairs\Furniture in the sensory room invite children to plop down and relax.Therapy rocker\The therapy rocker providers gentle movement for children.Interactive walls\One wall plays animal sounds or music as a child places their hand on the wall. The other wall lights up with interesting and calming colors.Bubble tube\The green bubble tube provides children with the opportunity to focus on visual movement.Small house\This small, soft house is for kids who need their own hide-out before or after a busy flight.Where is the sensory room located?\The room is located next to the Over the Rhine Market in Concourse A and diagonal from Starbucks.CVG strives to provide a safe, welcoming, and accessible journey to all travelers. For questions about accessibility, [email info@cvgairport.com](mailto:info@cvgairport.com).

Updated: November 1, 2024Your vacation starts as soon as you arrive at CVG Airport. Here are some insider tips so you can take off on your trip like a professional.Breeze through lines Use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR to get through security faster. You need to apply in advance for TSA PreCheck, but CLEAR representatives are available at the airport to help you sign up. Check into your flight in advance using your airline’s app or website. You can expect your airline ticket counter to be busy two hours in advance of your flight. Not sure what you can bring through the security checkpoint? TSA has a detailed list on their [website](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all).Fuel up before your flight If you’re looking to fill up on local beer before your flight, CVG's new brewery, Braxton Brewing Company is open in Concourse A. This new brewery complements the [many other food and drink options at the airport](https://www.cvgairport.com/shop-dine-relax/). Mornings are the busiest time at CVG, and—you’ve guessed it—a lot of people prefer to get their coffee before they fly. Use the Starbucks app to order ahead and pick up your coffee in [Concourses A or B](https://www.cvgairport.com/shop-dine-relax/). If you arrive at least two hours in advance and want to relax before your flight, we highly recommend the lounges at CVG. Buying a lounge pass gets you unlimited food and drinks before your flight. The Club CVG is in Concourse A, and the Escape Lounge is in Concourse B. Passengers flying on Delta Air Lines also can take advantage of the [Delta Sky Club](https://www.delta.com/us/en/airports/united-states/cincinnati-sky-club-airport-map) in Concourse B.If you are traveling with kids and ready to be on autopilot:Here are tips if you are traveling with children. Planes + food + playtime. It does not get much better than that if you’re traveling with kids. The play area in Concourse B is in the back of the food court near the windows facing the airfield. It is the perfect place to let your kids burn off energy before they fly. Your kids can eat their food, watch planes take off and land, and play in the fun, animal-themed play area. CVG now has a [kids sensory room in Concourse A](https://www.cvgairport.com/on-the-horizon/cvg-airport-opens-first-sensory-room-for-children/) just past Over-the-Rhine Market in the corridor heading to Gate A4. If you want to save the screen time for the flight, the information desks located in both concourses, and in the baggage claim area, have coloring sheets and crayons for your kiddos. If you have a child who is flying for the first time, let an airline representative know. Often, they will give kids a special airline pin, and many pilots will give kids a sneak peak of the plane’s controls.In addition to the tips above, we want to remind all travelers to arrive at least two hours in advance if you’re traveling domestically and three hours in advance if you’re traveling internationally. It’s important to [keep all CVG’s parking options on your radar](https://www.cvgairport.com/parking-options/). This includes CVG Valet, CVG Terminal Garage, CVG ValuPark, and CVG Economy Lot. As you take off on your trip from CVG, whether it is for business or leisure, we would love to see your photos and learn of any pro travel tips you’d like to share with other travelers. Please send them to [cvgcommunications@cvgairport.com](mailto:cvgcommunications@cvgairport.com).

An airport’s runways require routine upkeep similar to the roads and highways we drive on every day. CVG’s airfield is in use nearly 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and frequent use by heavy aircraft requires a robust maintenance program. In summer 2024, CVG is beginning a $29 million rehabilitation project on Runway 18/36C. The project is scheduled to be completed through early December 2024. If you are scheduled to fly out of CVG, don’t worry. Work on this project should not have a significant impact on aircraft operations since CVG has three other runways that aircraft can use. Neighbors living near the airport may experience a temporary change in aircraft activity (increase or decrease) depending on the location.Runway 18/36C is just a bit more than two miles in length at 11,000 feet. When the airport opened in 1947, Runway 18/36 was CVG’s only north/south runway. Over time, CVG has built two parallel runways on either side of 18/36C that are operational.Runways at CVG are generally rehabilitated every eight to 12 years, and a runway is fully reconstructed about every 20 to 30 years (depending on pavement condition). You may remember that CVG rehabilitated its only east/west runway, Runway 9/27, in 2021. Routine maintenance of CVG’s infrastructure ensures the safety of passengers, employees, and aircraft. It keeps the airport operating exceptionally well. As part of this runway rehabilitation project, CVG is completing runway safety area (RSA) grading work, taxiway demolition and relocation, and airfield lighting upgrades.

You can plan out many things when you fly: where you’ll park, what to pack, and when you’ll arrive at the airport. But one of the biggest variables in air travel that often adds stress is the security checkpoint line. If you’ve flown recently, you may have noticed that more people are traveling than ever. And you’re correct. In most places, air travel has returned to pre-pandemic levels with some destinations exceeding 2019 passenger numbers. More passengers = more people to screen at the TSA checkpoint.The good news: after visiting a lot of airports around the world (I believe 51 was the last count), I’ve found that CVG generally has some of the [shortest security wait](https://www.cvgairport.com/) times of anywhere. But during peak seasons and on peak days, even the most efficient airports get crowded. It had me wondering if there are some things we can do at the TSA checkpoint to help keep the line moving. So, I reached out to Mark Howell, regional spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).(Left: I always appreciate a short three-minute wait! Right: My wife’s brilliant hack for traveling with our baby.)Jay: What’s your best advice for packing bags?Mark: So, when you’re preparing, when you’re packing for a trip, we recommend that you start with an empty bag. Make sure there is nothing in any of the pockets inside the bag. And then pack from scratch. Make sure that everything you’re putting in there is allowed to go in a carry-on bag or checked bag if you plan to check luggage. Doing that is going to save you time at the security checkpoint and really, I think that’s what everybody wants—to keep those lines moving quickly.So, speaking of the security checkpoint, how early should somebody show up during the busy seasons, such as Labor Day weekend or around Independence Day?During the holidays, we recommend that passengers get to the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time. But if you’re traveling in what we call the “rush hours” of the early morning and late afternoon, you may want to build in a little bit of additional time on top of that, maybe another 1/2 hour early to make sure that you’ve got enough time to get through the process. Remember: when the airport is processing a lot of passengers on those days and in those times, everything can take a bit more time: finding a parking spot, checking in with your airline, and getting through the security screening process.Now, when you’re going through security at the checkpoint and bringing carry-on bag with you, some items have to go in a carry-on and some have to be checked, right?Yes, there are a lot of items that you can’t bring in a carry-on bag but are perfectly OK for checked luggage. If you have questions about specific items, what is and what isn’t allowed, we have some great resources on our website and our MyTSA app. It’s the “Can I Bring My…” tool. You can type in different items, and it’ll tell you whether or not you can take them in a carry-on bag, if they need to go in a checked bag, or if they’re not allowed on an aircraft at all. It’s a great resource.We’re also on social media. If you want to reach out to us on Facebook Messenger or Twitter (X) at @askTSA, we’ll have a representative answer your questions on the specific items you have.Speaking of social media, I love the TSA’s Instagram. I don’t know that most people would say “Oh, I love this government agency's social media!” But there are some hilarious posts, especially on the things that people try to bring through the checkpoint. Are there any weird items that stand out, like a hall of fame of crazy things people try to bring?First off, I’ll give some kudos to our social media team. They’re trying to find that blend of educating passengers while inserting some humor. I think they do a great job with that.I love to say that we see “everything and the kitchen sink.” The reason I say that is that we once had somebody try to bring a copper kitchen sink through a checkpoint. We also had someone try to bring a four-foot electric weedwhacker through a checkpoint. The passenger had brought it to the ticket document checker with a strap on and across his back. The ticket document checker said, “you can’t take that; you’re going to have to go back and check it.” The passenger didn’t want to leave to go check it, so he left it with the officer. It would’ve been fine if they decided to check it and pay for it, but obviously you can’t bring your weedwhacker on board an aircraft.The most common things that we see any time of the year—but really as we go into the holidays—are oversized liquids. Things that are more than 3.4 ounces must be checked. Pocket knives, self-defense items, and things like power tools are what we see a lot of.Are there still rules when it comes to liquids on board?There are. The 3-1-1 rule remains in effect. You may only have liquids of 3.4 ounces or less in a quart-size bag, and each passenger is allowed one. So, it comes out to “3-1-1.” The only exception to this is any medically-necessary liquid. If you have those type of liquids more than 3.4 ounces, you may bring those through the security checkpoint. However, they will be subject to additional screening; those are things like liquid medication, if you need insulin, if you’ve got breast milk, or anything that’s medically necessary of that sort.You mentioned food for babies, but what about food for grown-ups? Can you bring your home-cooked food with you on a flight? Are there certain foods that you can’t bring along in your carry-on bag?The simple rule of thumb for food is that if you can pump, spread, pour, or spray it, and it weighs more than 3.4 ounces, then you need to pack it in your checked luggage.What about bringing along gifts for family and friends?One tip we give passengers as they travel is that if you are traveling with gifts, don’t wrap them before you travel. We say this because if the item alarms, either at the security checkpoint or in checked luggage, we will have to unwrap it to look before we let it go. So, we recommend using gift bags if you’re traveling with gifts; that way we can look at the item and put it back in the bag. Or just wait until you get to your destination to wrap the item.What if I want to bring my pet along for my trip? Is that cool?Absolutely! One of our officers may ask to pet them when you’re coming through the checkpoint, though. Pets are OK for travel, but this varies greatly by airline, so you need to check with your carrier before coming to the airport for the rules of travel with your pets.Live animals should not be placed in the screening equipment in the checkpoint. This has happened a couple times in the last few years, and we’re really trying to remind passengers not to do that.When you come to the security checkpoint, you will be asked to remove your animal from its carrier. You will need to hand carry them through the security checkpoint. Officers will then carry out additional screening before you proceed through the airport for your flight. But please, please, please do not put your animals into X-ray machines.It’s weird that we have to say that, but we have to say that!It was right around Thanksgiving a couple of years ago when we found a cat in a checked bag. It was “Smells, The Cat” from New York. If you do a Google search for “Smells, The Cat,” you’ll find the story.(I did, and [here’s the story](https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/smells-the-cat-tsa-suitcase-thanksgiving-dinner/index.html) of Smells!)When flying to Toronto with my hockey gear, I made sure to arrive early and check Air Canada’s oversized bag and sports equipment policy.When going through the TSA checkpoint, there are times when I have had to take my shoes and belt off but other times when they’ve said, “you can leave your shoes on and go through.” Does this vary by airport or time of year?At CVG, all screening lanes now use advanced Computed Tomography (CT) machines, meaning you no longer need to remove electronics and liquids from your bag at the security checkpoint. With standard X-ray screening, passengers must take out these items, but CT technology allows you to keep everything in your bag.When traveling through an airport that uses CT machines, like CVG, you simply place your entire bag on the conveyor belt without having to unpack it. This aims to make the process quicker and more convenient compared to the standard X-ray machines where electronics and liquids had to be removed.Additionally, if you're a member of TSA’s PreCheck program, you can keep your shoes and light outerwear on during screening, even in airports with standard X-ray machines. There are also exceptions for removing shoes if you are 75 or older or a minor.According to the TSA, about 99% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than 10 minutes in line.Let’s talk more about that. TSA’s PreCheck program seems like a great way to save time and hassle, especially during busy travel times. How do I sign up for the program?If you or someone you know is a frequent traveler, TSA PreCheck is a wise investment. Once you are approved, it’s valid for five years from the date of enrollment. After acceptance into the program, you can keep your light outerwear, belt, and shoes on when traveling through security checkpoints. Additionally, you can leave your liquids and electronics inside your carry-on baggage. At many airports, including CVG, there is a separate checkpoint lane for TSA PreCheck, which tends to speed up the process since you don’t have to remove those items.If you’re interested in TSA PreCheck, visit https://www.tsa.gov/precheck to start the pre-enrollment process online. The website provides all the information you need for your in-person interview, including what to bring; of note, CVG has an on-site location for PreCheck enrollment interviews.It is important to note that, once you’re a PreCheck member, the Trusted Traveler Number (TTN) you are issued must be entered when you book each trip with an airline, so your ticket will identify you as part of this program. Mark, thank you so much for all these tips as we kick off the summer travel season.Thank you so much for the opportunity to share more about the TSA and the role we all play in keeping our airports and aircraft moving safely and efficiently.A gorgeous morning on a recent trip to Sintra, PortugalDo you have a great time or money-saving travel tip? I’d love to hear about it! You can reach me on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JayKruzOfficial), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jaykruzofficial/), and X ([Twitter](https://twitter.com/jaykruzofficial)) at @JayKruzOfficial. -Jay