Des Moines Airport security director Jay Brainard. Despite rising air fares, millions of Americans will be flying to a vacation destination this summer. Officials at Iowa’s largest airport are issuing a few reminders to those not-so-frequent fliers.

Jay Brainard, security director for the Des Moines International Airport, says he’s amazed with some of the items people still try to bring on a plane in their carry on baggage.

He spoke to reporters Tuesday beside a display of knives, batons, golf clubs and Chinese throwing stars.”These items that you see are some of the highlighted items that people actually try and bring through the passenger check point. Some of the stuff that comes through…we just scratch our heads and you know…we’re not really sure why somebody’s bringing flares, butcher knives and ASP batons onto a plane – that’s not permitted,” Brainard said.

Air travelers are encouraged to review the list of permitted items on an aircraft. That list can be found on-line at www.tsa.gov. Brainard says any liquids, gels or aerosols need to be in three ounce containers inside a one quart baggie.

Items confiscated by airport security in Des Moines. “If you can pour it, smear it or spread it – it’s considered a liquid or jel and it can’t go through a security check point in containers that are more than three ounces. You can buy water once you get through the security check point,” Brainard said.

At the Des Moines airport, officials recently introduced an “expert traveler lane,” to help speed the process of checking customer’s carry-on luggage.

Brainard says the expert traveler lane is designed for the frequent traveler that is carrying one bag, or no baggage, and is ready to go right through the check point. Travelers are also being told to check with their airline for information on how many bags they can bring on board, if there’s a fee for extra carry-on bags, and the size and weight allowed for on-board luggage.