IT had definitely been a spur of the moment decision. One of the coldest autumns in 135 years had blanketed much of the United States under an unseasonal chill.

There were several places in our tentative autumn schedule, all now scant degrees above freezing. An October railroad trip via California Zephyr to western Colorado had discovered some welcome rays of sunshine and comfortable temperatures, but they were the exception across the west.What about our hoped-for return to Grants, New Mexico? Watching temperatures sink lower, we soon realised it would not be a November possibility this year. We'd also abandoned an anticipated return to Whitefish, Monatana, gateway to an already snowbound Glacier National Park.

Then Wednesday, November 1, the weatherman predicted a welcome change — a warming trend was on the way that would pull the country out of the freezer.

A check on the temperatures showed Sedona, Arizona, very comfortable with temperatures escalating. Amtraks Southwest Chief would arrive in Flagstaff at an agreeable time just after 8 p.m. and we've often overnighted there in great comfort at a favourite location. We could reserve a four-wheel drive in Flagstaff and easily drive down to the fabled red-rock country.

All set to reserve a bedroom on the train, I checked on return times and that plan immediately fell apart when we learned that heading back east the train left Flagstaff at 5 a.m., which would mean getting up in the middle of the night.

Definitely not morning people, that left only one alternative since no train got anywhere near where we wanted to go — flying.

It was late on Wednesday afternoon when we reluctantly capitulated and called American airlines. Yes, there were two seats on the Sunday flight to Phoenix. The cost was $590 each — plus $10 for making a reservation with a live person via the phone.

That seemed more reasonable than expected since in four days we'd be airborne and everyone knows what buying a last-minute ticket can cost. Our names were put in for using purchased upgrade stickers if space was available , but with all the other premium frequent flyers ahead of us, it seemed unlikely.

Rule Number One: Before settling for a possible destination, do some timely research. In this case guidebooks wouldn't do the job. We needed up-to-the-minute weather charts and long range predictions because a dose of dry, warm weather was what we wanted without travelling too far.

A good source of information is bringing up USA Today Weather. A graphic chart gives an overall picture , then you click on a particular state and scroll down through the alphabet, finding the city that interests you.

If weather is important, do you want to arrive in the midst of an extended period of rain, premature cold, or predicted storm conditions, all of which swept the US very extensively this autumn.

A local paper researched this way is also helpful. Yes, they'll tell you many things, some of which may be a deterrent — like how many cars have been hijacked, tourists kidnapped, assaulted, robbed, schools closed because of whooping cough outbreaks, bird flu fears etc. You may then decide to go or not.

It had been years since we'd gone to Yuma, Arizona. Its location, very close to the Mexican boarder in the far southwestern corner of the state, held the promise of excellent weather. Every winter it's literally invaded by a cavalcade of 'snowbirds' from Canada and northern US states escaping chill northern winters.

But it was too early for their arrival and there was the prospect of both sun and solitude. Weather predictions were for the mid 80s and higher. 210 miles from Phoenix, Yuma is steeped in frontier history, southwest scenery and probably a very busy border patrol.

As readers know, we've been busy training around the country on the Southwest Chief, Empire Builder and California Zephyr. We've avoided planes ever since the most recent summer terrorism threats dampened our enthusiasm to be airborne.

What would it be like coping with TSA at one of the world's busiest airports? At Chicago's O'Hare, a long-time employee who recognised us came over for a chat.

In response to our question "How's business — are people beginning to fly more again?" her answer was "Yes, unusually so this far before the holidays. (It was November 5.)

"Planes are packed, but of course we're not flying as many of them, and passangers are doing a surprising number of short things — like three or four-day trips to the Caribbean."Interestingly, she joked to us about the mice incident, saying it was so hushed up employees knew less than the public. Also the film star who asked for a blanket ending up with major flea bites.Seeing her on Nightline holding a blanket with the familiar AA logo visible was not encouraging.

"We recently had to turn away a passenger who literally had bugs crawling around their suitcase."

Help. Don't tell us any more or we'll be tempted to drive out to Arizona, even though our time is limited.

When a stretcher arrived carrying a very sick patient on oxygen into first class with nurses, our upgrade possibilities disappeared and we instead did have the space afforded by emergency exit seats on the two-seat side.Always remember to ask to be on the two-seat side if possible.

TSA staff confided that, despite widespread publicity, many passengers are still going through security totally unprepared for the new, more limited carry-on rules that apply to liquids, and they fear it will cause major delays during holiday and winter travel.

In both Chicago and Phoenix it did proceed very efficiently because both have special areas for frequent flyer members, business and first class passengers. And because they fly more often, they're up to speed on requirements.

Years of practice have evolved an efficient packing plan hard to give up, one that left us totally ready for any eventuality if our checked bag went astray. Whether going on an outdoor adventure or to a formal dinner, we were ready with all the basic necessities in our whell-on and garment bag.

As it turned out, assembling basic necessities under the new liquid rules is much easier than it first sounds. Starting with a clear one-quart plastic bag, you're allowed to fill it with a variety of small containers no more than three ounces each.

My indispensable small bottle of hand sanitiser only weighs two ounces. Beside it was a petite container of moisturiser since planes are so skin-drying. Nail polish, lipstick, a little tube of toothpaste of the type given by hotels or airline amenity kits, a small container of perfume and one of concentrated mouthwash completed the list, along with a wee dram of French brandy — traditionally carried by my family for decades. Years ago my father's doctor to always have a flask of good Courvoisier brandy available in the event dad forgot his nitroglycerine pills. It would have a very beneficial effect in an angina situation. I wasn't sure it would pass but it did.

At Phoenix there are special containers with free plastic bags for those who haven't done this so small enough bottles needn't be thrown away. There are also blue 'footsies' because removing shoes is essential. Not all airlines provide these, Chicago included, but I just carry an old pair of airline slippers or tired nylon knee-length hose and discard them after walking through the screening machine.

It is essential to pay attention to these rules because every month 32 per cent of passengers don't. Some 12,000 items are confiscated at O'Hare daily and 2.5 million a month across the US. Among the most discarded are large tubes of toothpaste. The website TSA.gov spells it all out in great detail.

Also helpful is our usual "metal strip-down'. Into our hats go all jewellery — rings, bracelets, watches, necklaces, earrings,fancy belt buckle, loose change, pedometer and keys. The hat then goes through surveillance on the conveyor belt. Piled in the same container is the plastic quart bag of liquids for easy viewing.

No bells, alarms, flashing lights or further screening — it's all clear and very simple if you make the extra effort. Putting it all back on once through security offers an opportunity to chat with working TSA officials.

Also helpful is a clear, see-through identity pouch to hang around the neck, with a zippered enclosed security area for passports and money. I place our driver's licences in the see-through area so there's no fumbling through purses and pockets when going through the checkpoint.

Be warned, there's been a 20 per cent increase in lost luggage since new TSA rules went into effect and there were 383,000 complaints in September alone — an increase of 90 per cent. Be sure your luggage is carefully tagged, with identification also inside.

Quite amazingly, our homeward flight in first class included an exceptionally tasty meal and a former Eastern Airlines flight attendant who deserved an award for both superior service and sparkling personality. We were in such a shock over the unique menu we forgot to ask her name.

Next week: On to Yuma.

How to avoid those travel headaches