Anybody else worried about what's in the luggage compartment?

[Poly Pal]

I've never been a nervous flyer until 9/11. Now I've got to fly for the first time since then to Orlando for business next week.

I am not worried about hijackers. I feel passengers are now empowered to act to help the crew maintain control. But, I am afraid of what might be in the belly of the plane. Remember Pan Am 103?

Does anybody have words of comfort or encouragement?

 

[flyingcircus]

Since Pan Am and TWA there has been positive passenger bag match in place. This simply means that all checked in luggage has to be matched with a passenger on board. If the passenger is not on the plane, the bag is pulled off the plane. This was in place before September 11, and I am sure that it strictly adhered to now. Bags are also xrayed.

There are strict guidelines on accepting cargo- I am not quite sure of the protocol, but many items that were once accepted as cargo are not anymore.

I understand your concern about what is in the "pit" of the aircraft. Pilots are given a manifest, and if there is any questionable item, it is removed.

 

[Poly Pal]

Thanks Flyingcircus, but...

It is my understanding that none of the airlines are doing the positive passenger / bag matching yet. CNN reports the airline industry has always lobbied against this. And with the expletive, expletive monsters willing to die for their cause, the bag matching is not much help.

Also, everything I seen, read and heard says that less than 10% of checked bags are x-rayed. Even fewer apparently go through the "bomb sniffing" machines at the few airports so equipped to look for plastic explosives.

Anybody else still not convinced like me?

 

[flyingcircus]

Poly Pal-

I know for a FACT that they have been doing PPBM for years, so I don't know why CNN would be reporting to the contrary. I have had to physically check and confirm psgrs. in seats to assure PPBM, and this was travel in the US- not internationally.

Bottom line is NOTHING is 100% safe. Maybe all checked in luggage will be bomb tested, etc, but it will take quite a while to implement it. Unfortunately, if there is a will, there is a way. All we can do as US citizens, is to be aware, and if you think anything is questionable, go to someone in authority and report it!!!!

 

[Poly Pal]

Do you work for United? I remember once (way back in the 70's) at O'Hare when my flight to SFO was delayed for 45 minutes because according to the public address message, "One of our passengers decided not to make the flight with us today after checking in and it is United's policy to re-unite passengers with their luggage." This was on a fully loaded DC-10 (back when all we had to worry about was the cargo doors blowing out!) so nyou can imagine the amount of luggage they had to search through.

I'm flying Delta out of BDL. Any idea if they do the PPBM?

Thanks!

 

[flyingcircus]

Yes, I do work for United- well, technically I am temp. furlough. I wasn't flying in the 70's, but I started flying in 1986. I know that United WAS doing PPBM before and after Sept 11.

I am not sure about Delta in Hartford. I thought PPBM was mandatory for all airlines. Perhaps I am wrong. I would imagine if United does it, Delta would.

At United, if someone boarded the plane, and then wanted to get off for ANY reason, we had to make sure we looked at the bparding pass, wrote down the name and seat number, called the agent, and did not close the door until the psgr was back on board. I have had the passenger NOT get back, and BOY are you talking DELAY- we had to get all their carry on items off, plus ramp had to go into the pit to retrieve their bags. Found out the passenger did not want to fly w/o his business partner, who did not make his connection to the flight.

Boy, I sure don't miss those DC10's!!!

I don't know if Delta can tell you if they do match bags- might be a security issue, but maybe you can get the info from www.delta.com, or call. I really think that they would do PPBM.

 

[Ted and Holly]

I don't want to think about it!!!

 

[The shadow knows]

I never even think about it!