Britain Thwarts Plot to Bomb U.S.-Bound PlanesThat's serious stuff, of course, but I can't help thinking about how frickin' AWFUL it would be to have to fly anywhere under the restrictions the article mentions:
Air Travel Snarled as New Security Measures Enacted
British authorities said Thursday they thwarted a terrorist plot to simultaneously blow up several aircraft heading to the United States using explosives smuggled in carry-on luggage. Security was raised to its highest level in Britain, and carry-on bags were banned on all flights. Huge crowds backed up at London's Heathrow airport as officials searching for explosives barred nearly every form of liquid outside of baby formula.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said the terrorists planned to use liquid explosives disguised as beverages and other common products and set them off with detonators disguised as electronic devices.
In response to the elevated terror threat, the TSA has implemented the following security measures on all flights.
BANNED:I thought I heard that there'd be no electronic devices allowed, either. It's hard to imagine how many people I'd have to choke if I couldn't withdraw into my own little musical world or drink my own beverages.
· Liquids or gels of any kind in carry-on luggage. Items must be checked.
· This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.
ALLOWED:
· Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or child is traveling.
· Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket, and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines.
Also, the way these airlines handle luggage makes me extremely reluctant to "check" my baggage with them. I always do the carry-on luggage thing because I want to avoid the hassle AND I like it when my underwear ends up in the same city I do.
What a mess.
11 comments:
I was thinking the same thing. I've taken three flights this year and I have yet to check my luggage. Hopefully, I won't have to hop on a plane anytime soon.
I heard that the security lines in Atlanta's airport are out the door.
Assuming that's not misleading, I'd rather just drive 10 hours or so, instead of contending with all of that.
My co-worker just got back from vacation. She said her very nice luggage was destroyed by some airport machine. They replaced it with a cheap model, then with a better one, once she pressed... but who wants to go through that hassle, at all?
Hell, her panties (or whatever) could've been hanging all out of the thing.
Typically, if I travel for work I try not to check my luggage. But when I vacation I usually do check it.
And I fly out of Atlanta, and remember lines being out the door without being under this high alert situation. So I doubt that it is misleading.
Out the door??
*makes mental note to walk to ATL, next time*
Quite unfortunate. And I was about to purchase some really cheap plane tickets to fly out west (no pun intended) next month during the dates of 9/11 (wonder why the tickets were so cheap huh?) - But my friends are trying to talk me out of it. I can't imagine boarding the flight without my Ipod or even a laptop. Geez. What a revoltin' development this is!
Cage: Don't forget that those restrictions vary, so you may not have to worry about some of them.
Personally, I don't want to be in an airport when someone decides they need to change the restrictions. Then, I've got to find a way to comply without throwing my gadgets away or leaving them with someone who's priority is certainly NOT protecting my belongings.
So, yeah... can't blame you, either way.
By the way, I caught that "Thing" line, at the end. Props.
Haha!
Ha-ha! "Walk to Atl, next time," flying to Atlanta isn't the problem, if you don't check your luggage. It's the flying out that might be the problem. ;-)
Scary.
I've got to travel on business, soon. I'm mighty glad I'm not flying... some of our associates ARE, though.
Odd how flying from one place in Florida to another place in Florida sometimes requires an ATL lay-over.
I flew home yesterday with no problems. I just had to make sure I put my chapstick in my checked baggage and, since I couldn't bring any water on the plane I got some from the flight crew as soon as I got on. I had all my gear, my laptop and some snacks, everything I usally travel with. The security line was even shorter than normal. No big deal.
Welcome MnM.
Thanks for the first-hand account.
That does allay my fears a bit.
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