Breaking Flying News: U.S. Raises Flight Threat Levels to Highest Point

[zurgswife]

hmmmm. all of you should be aware they have banned laptops, key fobs , liquids gels, digital.

All this based on information from that gem of accurate intelligence Mi5/Mi6. You know the guys who told us Sadaam was buting yellow cake in Niger.

Anyone care to bet the brits are exaggerating everything to a factor of 10 based on bad intel.

So if you are diabetic you get to trust USAir with handling your insulin I quess.

I can't even think how to respond to this trash.....

 

[zurgswife]

Traveling with kids just got a whole lot tougher! No toys to keep them entertained on hours-long flights......

\

For domestic flights they haven't banned toys...just liquid items.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Here's a link to the TSA website with the specific items listed no longer allowed on ANY flight:

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/threat-change.shtm

All travelers on commercial U.S. carriers and on all flights into the U.S., please be advised of the following changes to airport screening procedures:

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, sun tan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Exception: Baby formula and medicines must be presented for inspection at the checkpoint.

Beverages purchased in the boarding area (beyond the checkpoint) must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted on board the aircraft.

Be prepared for a hellish experience at airports for the next few weeks.

 

[wdwstar]

we leave tomorrow and i already checked sw and nothing has been reported there, i also checked ata and they have the same statement that was reported for jet blue. i have not seen anything about carrying on laptops.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

we leave tomorrow and i already checked sw and nothing has been reported there,

That doesn't matter as the TSA is the authority and they have the info posted on their website (as I already pointed out).

Laptops are not banned for travel in the US.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

We leave Tuesday and my MIL will probably be a nervous wreck for us over this. Last year, we flew to Rome thru Heathrow just days after the first subway bombing and then returned (again thru Heathrow) the day of the second bombing.

I've got to say that I appreciate the vigilance of our allies across the pond. Like Laurafoster said, I'd rather that they erred on the side of caution rather than risk hundreds or thousands of lives by downplaying a serious threat.

This will inconvenience a lot of us but we all survived air travel before the invention of cell phones, laptops and portable DVD players. DS14 and DD16 will have to just read a book, play cards or take a nap instead of being entertained by iPods and PSPs. Certainly not their first choice but we'll do whatever we have to do.

Hugs and prayers for everyone traveling over the next few weeks. Stay calm, stay safe and stay informed.

 

[kellyf2626]

We leave on the 15th, and I was already nervous to fly. Now this! I fully support the banning of ANYTHING as long as it makes it safer to fly. I think the Brits have it right...no carry-ons! That way, all the extra screening can go into the checked bags too!! Especially electronics....I would say most people can survive without their iPod or laptop for a few hours!!

 

[jodifla]

We leave on the 15th, and I was already nervous to fly. Now this! I fully support the banning of ANYTHING as long as it makes it safer to fly. I think the Brits have it right...no carry-ons! That way, all the extra screening can go into the checked bags too!! Especially electronics....I would say most people can survive without their iPod or laptop for a few hours!!

lots of business travelers would probably disagree, since they spend the flight working.

and what about diapers for babies, and toys for kids? The 3 and 4 year old set can't read a lot of books....

this is just like the shoe scare.

 

[jodifla]

We leave Tuesday and my MIL will probably be a nervous wreck for us over this. Last year, we flew to Rome thru Heathrow just days after the first subway bombing and then returned (again thru Heathrow) the day of the second bombing.

I've got to say that I appreciate the vigilance of our allies across the pond. Like Laurafoster said, I'd rather that they erred on the side of caution rather than risk hundreds or thousands of lives by downplaying a serious threat.

This will inconvenience a lot of us but we all survived air travel before the invention of cell phones, laptops and portable DVD players. DS14 and DD16 will have to just read a book, play cards or take a nap instead of being entertained by iPods and PSPs. Certainly not their first choice but we'll do whatever we have to do.

Hugs and prayers for everyone traveling over the next few weeks. Stay calm, stay safe and stay informed.

of course there's the conundrum: you aren't supposed to put expensive items like laptops in checked luggage.

 

[isyt]

I was at WDW for 9/11 I would prefer not to have a repeat of that trip....Realistically I'm not worried but just have that thought in the back of my mind

I was also in WDW for 9/11 so I understand. We actually drove home after that and it took us 4 years to get back on a plane. I am leaving for DL in 13 days and I am more than a little hesitaint. I hate flying to begin with, so added security is always welcomed. I do hope I can bring stuff for my kids on a 6 hour flight. My hubby works in NYC ( 7 World Trade last time, thank god we were in WDW) and I can't beleive I am considering cancelling, I guess I will wait and see how it plays out over the next few days.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

A lot of this worrying about carry on items for US flights is silly.

Even in the UK, they are giving PAX clear plastic bags for essential carry on items, such as baby supplies, meds (after being searched), books, wallets, etc. I cannot believe people posting here think that a parent cannot take diapers or baby bottles in a flight.

In the US, electronics (iPods, laptops, dvd players, cell phones, etc.), toys, and carry on baggage are NOT banned.

 

[ariel75]

i feel sorry for all the people on the flights that are now havin long delays.Have just heard on the news on the radio that parents are having to drink baby's milk to prove there is nothing in it.
I know it's for everybodys saftey but something really has to be done to these gutless indivuals.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

Just talked with DH, he said "today is a day from hell" He said when he reported for work he had to take off his shoes and give up his thermos of coffee and enter immediately into a briefing. All air flight personnel are having to go through this screening. The pilots are not happy, one stewardess was angry she had a couple hundred dollars worth of lotion in her carry on and had to give it up. No one is getting through without taking off shoes and losing items they don't want to give up. Good luck to those of you flying while the US is still on red alert

 

[zurgswife]

I was also in WDW for 9/11 so I understand. We actually drove home after that and it took us 4 years to get back on a plane. I am leaving for DL in 13 days and I am more than a little hesitaint. I hate flying to begin with, so added security is always welcomed. I do hope I can bring stuff for my kids on a 6 hour flight. My hubby works in NYC ( 7 World Trade last time, thank god we were in WDW) and I can't beleive I am considering cancelling, I guess I will wait and see how it plays out over the next few days.

The first thing DH said was maybe we should rent a car just in case.

 

[Pugrpooh]

Northwest is recommending arriving at the airport for domestic flights 2 hours in advance. That would be 4:30 am for us on Tuesday as our flight leaves at 6:30.

 

[IWannaBeAPrincess]

Well, I leave on Sunday *shakes head* for several business trips and 2 disney trips all within a months time. 10 flights!!!! All are domestic, thank God. I hope they catch them all and everyone stays safe.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The pilots are not happy, one stewardess was angry she had a couple hundred dollars worth of lotion in her carry on and had to give it up.

What nonsense. All she had to do is put it in her checked luggage.

And who carries around several hundred dollars worth of LOTION when travelling anyway?

PS - The correct term is flight attendant, not stewardess.

 

[jodifla]

What nonsense. All she had to do is put it in her checked luggage.

And who carries around several hundred dollars worth of LOTION when travelling anyway?

PS - The correct term is flight attendant, not stewardess.

lots of flight attendants DON"T HAVE checked luggage. They carry everything on.

 

[C.Ann]

Wonderful.. I just purchased 4 airline tickets the night before last for our December trip and my son-in-law is already paranoid about flying - absolutely hates it.. Hopefully this red alert is gone by then.. We too were in WDW for 9/11 and he drove us home - refused to board an airplane..

Just before Labor Day my neighbor's sister-in-law is flying to Albany from OK - has two switches - and is already terrified of flying alone.. Then on the 25th, my neighbor's daughter and 1-yr. old granddaughter are flying alone from CA to NY - with two switches to get here.. Worst of all, my neighbor, her DH and another couple I'm friends with are supposed to be flying to UK from the US in early September for a European tour..

I hate that we have to worry about this kind of stuff.. Packing will be a bit more of a challenge now and I'm sure that security lines will be much longer.. Luckily our flight out in Dec. isn't until 11-something in the morning so we won't have to get up at the crack of dawn and our flight home is at 4-something..

What a mess.. Let's just hope that everyone - on all flights to wherever - reach their destinations safely..

 

[jjjbennett]

So will I be able to get water on the plane to drink???? I know they often give out soda but I was planning to take one or two bottles of water with me since I'm pregnant and OB said to drink plenty of water in flight. I don't fly often haven't flown in years so not certain what can be obtained on a plane.