Airport Security.

[DawnCt1]

Since the liquid ban went into effect, we found ourselves in six different airports for departures; HNL, LIH, OGG, HNL, LAX and ATL in that order. Things went very smoothly with the most visible security being at LAX. In order to board, we filed pass 3 National Guardsmen who peered into our carryons, asked about liquid, etc. As I presented my ticket and passed the last National Guardsman, I overheard a conversation that he was having with an airline employee. To paraphrase; "I have the authority to pull her aside and search all of her luggage, etc". I kept walking but I was indeed curious because the discussion certainly sounded animated. Shortly thereafter, when I was about 10 ft from the plane I overheard a conversation between two boarding employees, a young man dressed in a white shirt type uniform and an older female flight attendant. The woman asked what the conversation between he and the soldier was. He said; "An off duty flight attendant boarded with her coffee and he wanted me to speak to her about it, I am not going to". It was only 3 weeks ago that we were all boarding with our coffee, water bottles, etc so I don't have any concern that the flight attendant put anyone at risk, however, the rules are for all of our safety and even off duty FA should comply. Its a bit concerning that the young male employee didn't feel comfortable enough to tell that woman about his conversation with the soldier, that inability to do so perhaps, down the road could be a weak link in security. Any thoughts?

 

[momrek06]

Dawn: I am going to London with the family in December...will they give you a bottle of water once you are on the plane? I really need my water!

Also, my bro just flew to Manchester, NH from Colorado aboard Southwest Airlines and he had bottled water in his backpack and a cup of Dunkin's coffee in his hand. Security in the airport said nothing to him at all. He was telling us all this and we were wondering if this is just for International flights!!!

 

[safetymom]

There are still so many weak links in our airport security that a cup of coffee isn't going to bring us to our knees.

I have first hand accounts from quite a few people that have flown since the start of this ban and no one has had luggage checked, bags looked into, etc. So I think they have lots of work to still do.

 

[cardaway]

With so much of it being just for show, there are bound to be some pretty major differences and weak links from person to person, day to day, and airport to airport.

 

[DawnCt1]

Dawn: I am going to London with the family in December...will they give you a bottle of water once you are on the plane? I really need my water!

Also, my bro just flew to Manchester, NH from Colorado aboard Southwest Airlines and he had bottled water in his backpack and a cup of Dunkin's coffee in his hand. Security in the airport said nothing to him at all. He was telling us all this and we were wondering if this is just for International flights!!!

I can't comment on International flights as I have no idea. When I sat down there was bottled water at my seat so water is available once you are seated.

 

[momrek06]

I can't comment on International flights as I have no idea. When I sat down there was bottled water at my seat so water is available once you are seated.

Ahh...just what I wanted to hear!!! Thanks!!!

 

[kerrynic78]

We just traveled from Orlando to Hartford (Bradley Airport) and the difference between security at the two was amazing. We breezed through security at Orlando in 5 minutes, went through the metal detector and we were done. At Bradley they had us all go in these new machines that I have never seen before that basically puffed air on you and then you went through metal detectors. They were checking almost all bags and even threw away my mascara and foundation which I forgot to put in my luggage. None of this occured at Orlando.

 

[DawnCt1]

With so much of it being just for show, there are bound to be some pretty major differences and weak links from person to person, day to day, and airport to airport.

Actually I was amazed at the consistancy until that point. Delta was pretty strict. A lot of people were parting with expensive lotions and cosmetics and Aloha and Island Air maintained the same guidelines. In some ways searching a flight attendant for coffee makes almost as much sense as having a pilot go through a metal detector. The pilot with the yoke in his hand already has the ultimate weapon. There has to be trust of those to whom we entrust our lives...at least to a degree.

 

[bicker]

The pilot with the yoke in his hand already has the ultimate weapon. There has to be trust of those to whom we entrust our lives...at least to a degree.

Well said!

 

[Disney Doll]

If rules are in place, they should apply to everyone, regardless (or is it irregardless ) of what their employment status is in the airline industry.

 

[bicker]

I disagree. Rules should apply to whom they should apply to, only. Not arbitrarily to everyone. If the determination is that crew members need less scrutiny than passengers, then that would be fine.

The issue here was that one National Guardsman apparently allowed one FA to violate a rule that actually does, currently apply to that FA. This is an anecdotal report of one National Guardsman not doing their job correctly. During our recent trip to Knoxville, we traveled aboard a flight with a FA who was dead-heading. As we approached the podium to board our flight, the FA voluntarily put a half-full cup of Starbucks, which she had purchased on the concourse between her flights, into the trashcan. Not only did she not board with liquid but she voluntarily complied with the rule. There are anecdotal reports of many things, but anecdotal reports need to be kept in context.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I flew JFK to LAX and back last week.

We were searched for liquids, etc. going thruogh security but our bags were never checked again once we were ready to baord the flight. we had lunch in the terminal and could have purchased any sort of liquid to bring on - no one checked at EITHER airport.

Plus, she managed to accidentally get a bottle Purell hand gel through secutiry in LAX. We discovered en route back to NY while searching her bag for cookies.

 

[Keggy]

Am I allowed to take pressed powder - like a compact on the plane as well as chapstick? I saw lipstick was allowed - but things like carmex were not. I am just wondering about a tube of chapstick. It won't kill me to throw away the $1 chapstick...

TIA,
Kelly

 

[momof2inPA]

I thought if you bought a drink on the concourse all you had to do was drink out of it in front of security personnel before boarding. You know, it's the same policy as transporting breast milk.

 

[momrek06]

Am I allowed to take pressed powder - like a compact on the plane as well as chapstick? I saw lipstick was allowed - but things like carmex were not. I am just wondering about a tube of chapstick. It won't kill me to throw away the $1 chapstick...

TIA,
Kelly

Ya, Kelly...bumping on the chapstick...I wear it 24/7 and also PURELL, I use after I come out of the restroom on the plane...I am guessing that is a NO?

Heading overseas in a few months...need my water and Dawn answered that question BUT chapstick and purell...????

 

[bicker]

I thought if you bought a drink on the concourse all you had to do was drink out of it in front of security personnel before boarding. You know, it's the same policy as transporting breast milk.

That procedure no longer applies in either case. Soft drinks must be finished before boarding a flight. Breast milk must comply with the stated requirements -- no one will be required to drink it in front of security personnel.