What new baggage check-in policies mean to you By Marilyn Adams and Edward Iwata, USA TODAY An aviation security law taking effect Friday is prompting some airlines to set new deadlines for passengers so luggage can be screened without disrupting flights. The new federal law requires airlines start screening all checked bags on domestic flights by bomb-detection equipment, bomb-sniffing dogs, hand searches or matching bags to passengers aboard a flight. This week, Delta and Continental announced a new bag-check deadline to allow enough time for bag-matching or screening and other airlines could quickly follow. Delta's and Continental's domestic passengers must check a bag 30 minutes prior to flight time or they have to take a later flight. American Airlines is said to be considering adopting the same 30-minute rule. Wednesday, American's chief financial officer, Tom Horton said matching bags to passengers systemwide Friday "is going to be a significant challenge. I would guess on the first day it will be less than perfect" and will improve over time. Although airlines aren't warning of big problems, passengers should arrive at the airport early to minimize stress on the system. Here's what fliers need to know about Friday's changes: Q: What's the purpose of the new bag-screening law? A: To prevent luggage carrying a bomb from being loaded into a plane's cargo hold. In 1988, a bomb in such a suitcase destroyed a Pan Am jet and everyone aboard over Scotland. Congress late last year passed this measure so that checked bags as well as carry-on bags are more carefully screened. Airlines already are required to bag-match on international flights. Q: Will all bags on all flights be bomb-checked? A: No. Airlines are relying to a large extent on bag-matching, or making sure a bag doesn't fly without its owner. Q: Are there new rules passengers must follow? A: Yes, and they vary by airline. Delta, for example, is requiring domestic passengers arrive at the airport 2 hours prior to flight time and check bags at least 30 minutes prior to departure time or they must rebook on a later flight. Continental also requires bags be checked 30 minutes before departure. American and United, the two largest U.S. carriers, haven't issued new rules but American could issue new rules next week. Q: Are airlines using new screening systems for the first time Friday? A: No. Airlines have been testing systems at certain airports. Some smaller airlines like AirTran and Frontier have had bag-matching systems in place for weeks. Q: Will this new requirement mean longer lines or delays Friday? A: It could. While most of this screening and matching will be done out of passengers' view and airlines have been trying to iron out any bugs, passengers should arrive early. Midwest Express, for example, is adding staff Friday, and spokeswoman Lisa Bailey says the airline is bracing for the kinds of lines it experienced the week after Sept. 11, when new security searches took effect. Q: How much in advance of flight time must I arrive for my flight? A: Check with your airline's Web site or reservations agents. Times vary from 2 hours to 1 hour. American says the general rule is 2 hours; United, 90 minutes; and Northwest, 75 minutes; US Airways, 60 minutes. Southwest and Continental urge passengers to check Web sites for the specific airport. Q: What happens if I don't make the flight but my bag does? A: If your airline uses bag-matching and the flight is your first of the day (not a connection), the airline's required to remove an unaccompanied bag from the plane before the flight departs. If the flight is a connection, the bag will be allowed to fly anyway. Q: Why is the new rule not being applied to connecting flights? A: The government reasoned that the risk is low on a connecting flight and that requiring a second round of screening or matching could seriously disrupt flight schedules at airline hub airports. Q: What if my bag misses the flight I'm on through no fault of my own? Will I receive my bag later? A: In that case, the way it's supposed to work is the bag flies unaccompanied on a later flight, possibly after additional screening. Q: If my bag is screened by a bomb-detection machine and something is detected that requires it be opened, will it be searched in my presence? A: Many airlines say they will make every effort to open and search a bag in the passenger's presence. Q: What other suggestions are airlines making to avoid glitches at the airport? A: Remember that this new screening law doesn't change the other new security rules issued since Sept. 11. Passengers must carry government-issued photo ID, and no knives, firearms, scissors or other dangerous items of any kind are allowed in carry-on bags. 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