The most important thing to know: Don't expect to take any liquids or gels onboard an airplane. If you try, expect problems with security.

Officials say they aren't sure how long the ban on shampoo, coffee, perfume and the like will last, but it could be long term. The federal government ordered screeners to seize liquids Thursday in response to a terrorist plot to mix substances into bombs on U.S.-bound flights.

The result: Charlotte passengers faced longer-than-usual security lines and more scrutiny as they boarded flights Thursday -- a situation that will continue today.

Screeners searched carry-on bags by hand at both the checkpoints and the gate.

Tess Strickland and her two sons, 16 and 7, missed two flights from New Jersey to Charlotte while standing in lines at the Newark airport. They arrived in Charlotte three hours later than they were supposed to.

"The check-in lines, the baggage lines, security -- there were just long lines everywhere," Strickland said.

She had to throw away all of her lotions and expensive perfume and cologne before boarding the plane.

International fliers had an even tougher time. A US Airways flight from London arrived three hours late Thursday afternoon. The nearly 200 passengers were patted down twice by hand on the other side of the Atlantic.

They had to check their cell phones, iPods, carry-ons, purses -- even kids' books and toys.

Thursday morning, when concerns were at their height, groups of passengers huddled in prayer in the Charlotte terminal, and fliers spread open their bags to pull out newly banned items.

Some transferred liquids and gels to their checked luggage, but most simply dumped them.

"We hauled off an awful lot of garbage today," airport operations director Jerry Orr said.

Getting through security took about 20 minutes, Orr said -- longer than usual but not as bad as on the worst travel holidays.

At a press conference, Orr said he had let Gov. Mike Easley's office know he would welcome "anyone in uniform they could possibly send."

But N.C. Secretary for Crime Control and Public Safety Bryan Beatty said no such request had been made.

"We're prepared to provide any help needed," he told the Observer.

Late Thursday, Orr said the conflict had been a misunderstanding. He heard from Beatty's office after his news conference that the guard was available.

He said he'll evaluate the need today.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police sent 10 extra officers to the airport. Changes at the airport started before passengers reached the terminal. On a shuttle from the parking lot, driver Ron Hamilton asked for a volunteer to read a notice to passengers. A woman took the sheet of paper and read a list of prohibited items: beverages, shampoo, toothpaste, hair gels, lotions, etc.

Baby formula, breast milk and essential medications, such as insulin, could be taken on, but passengers were told they might be asked to prove their authenticity.

Jim and Lynn Long of Forth Worth, Texas, had been visiting the N.C. mountains for a family reunion. They spread their luggage out in the airport terminal, pulling leftover food and bottled water from their carry-on bags and trying to shove them into their checked luggage.

"We didn't know," Jim Long said. "We drove through the mountains for three hours and didn't turn the radio on."

They were trying to figure out what to do with their apples. Could those go on with them?

"All I want to do is get through security and on that airplane," Jim Long said.

In another part of the terminal, eight people stood with their heads bowed in prayer.

Ralph Sauers of Fort Mill, his wife, Maridee, and their children Luke and Sara, both 11, were headed on a mission trip to Niger, Africa. Family and friends came to see them off.

"We dropped everything this morning to get them through the door," said David Voth, a friend from church. "You just pray a little harder on a Code Red day."