How might the Christmas Day possible terrorist attack change domestic air travel?

[ConnieB]

I'm sure you've all seen the news that on Christmas Day a passenger onboard a Northwest flight attempted to mix a powder and liquid substance onboard which was to bring the plane down over US soil. They're still investigating how he got explosive substances onboard...and haven't released what they were either.

News media is suggesting that security measures may be increased again....as they were in regard to shoes after the 2006 incident....and as the rules about liquids were a year or so ago.

Anyone want to speculate or whine thumbsup2) about what the changes might be? My DH travels a lot for just a night or two trip and has had to change some things he carried so that he could continue to do carry on only.....he gave up cologne and aftershave and opted for non-liquids instead. But he's moaning that they may take away his stick cologne/aftershave/deodrants now. The thought of having to stand in line to check bags and then wait around to pick them up is making him very grumpy.

I'm thinking that because this attack flight orginated outside the USA that it might be a while before they change the domestic rules on powders and liquids....but he disagrees. He thinks it won't be long before you can't bring anything more than a magazine onboard. He's really torn between wanting to be safe but wanting to be able to conduct his business quickly.

 

[airhead]

My friends leave tomorrow for FT Lauderdale. They believe there will be delays and big long lines...

 

[DebbieB]

They just said on CNN that TSA has said there are no changes to the carryon rules right now.

 

[crashbb]

CATSA has changed the carry on rules to ONE (rather than TWO) carry on bags per person for flights going into the US. No changes in what can be in that one bag though.

At least, that is what my airline said in an email sent out (and posted on the homepage). They also warn that lines will be long and suggest minimising carry ons.

 

[TDC Nala]

If carryon allowances are limited as a result of this incident it'll be to cut down time on searching them, since the guy didn't carry all his suspicious items in a bag - part of what he used was apparently concealed under his clothing. I would wonder what it would mean regarding possibly changing the extent of personal searches of airline passengers.

 

[kristytru]

Just read that Air Canada is now telling passengers they must remain seated for the final hour of any flight with nothing on the lap and no access to carry-on luggage for that hour. Said other airlines may follow...

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't know about the future, but hubby's at the airport waiting on an int'l Northwest Air flight right now, and he breezed through security in about 15 minutes. No changes on that end (and considering he was considering huge crowds of people going home today, and adding in the fact that his flight entirely oversold coach and his boss just allowed an upgrade to Business Class...he's having a pretty good day!) with the affected airline yet.

 

[crashbb]

Just read that Air Canada is now telling passengers they must remain seated for the final hour of any flight with nothing on the lap and no access to carry-on luggage for that hour. Said other airlines may follow...

According to the AC site, that applies to flights into the US and is due to a TSA ruling, so it should be affected by other airlines as well.

New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service. Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.

They are waiving excess luggage fees on flights to the US, to help people reduce their carry on luggage.

 

[ConnieB]

If carryon allowances are limited as a result of this incident it'll be to cut down time on searching them, since the guy didn't carry all his suspicious items in a bag - part of what he used was apparently concealed under his clothing. I would wonder what it would mean regarding possibly changing the extent of personal searches of airline passengers.

Hmmm...first we had to take off our shoes because of the "shoe bomber"....now we'll have to completely undress????

 

[twinklebug]

Just read that Air Canada is now telling passengers they must remain seated for the final hour of any flight with nothing on the lap and no access to carry-on luggage for that hour. Said other airlines may follow...

No access to any carry on luggage, or just the luggage stored overhead? I have to assume here it's referring to items stored in the overhead bins. I have no issue with that.

As to staying seated, again I have no issue - I'll just have to remind my son to go light on the beverages

 

[twinklebug]

Hmmm...first we had to take off our shoes because of the "shoe bomber"....now we'll have to completely undress????

Eww I don't think the TSA agents get paid enough for that.

 

[Tozzie]

According to the AC site, that applies to flights into the US and is due to a TSA ruling, so it should be affected by other airlines as well.
New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service. Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.
.

I really don't know what he TSA hopes to accomplish by implementing this rule, both the shoe bomber and the terrorist from yesterday had their "weapons" on their person, not in their carry on luggage so maybe the TSA thinks this will make some people feel safer but to me, it just says "we don't know what to do " so we will do this and hope for the best. I ususally don't have a problem with TSA guidelines but this one does very little if anything to prevent incidents like what happened yesterday.

 

[Brer Chump]

My guess is that the body scanners are going to be fully implemented in the US as soon as they can get them.

 

[Pinnie]

The problem in this particular case is the flight originated in Nigeria, where the "TSA" there is more concerned with taxi drivers than screening passengers. This particular passenger was able to get through security without a second glance. When that plane arrived in Amsterdam, the passenger did NOT have to be rescreened. We can have the best security in the world here in the USA, but until the rest of the world follows suit, we will never be 100% safe.

pinnie

 

[tiggerrr]

No access to any carry on luggage, or just the luggage stored overhead? I have to assume here it's referring to items stored in the overhead bins. I have no issue with that.

As to staying seated, again I have no issue - I'll just have to remind my son to go light on the beverages

Here is the link to the AC press release, which indicates no access to ANY carry on bag and no personal items in your lap. They indicate this is due to TSA requirements, even though the TSA is only saying that they won't make comment on the new security procedures.

So, this could mean, no personal pillows, electronic devices, etc for that last hour of the flight. I'm interested to hear first hand experiences of people flying to see if that is actually being imposed.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/trav_adv/091226.html

 

[Dan Murphy]

This link on Air Canada says......

MONTREAL, December 26, 2009 -- Air Canada provides the following update for flights from Canada to the United States.

In response to new government policies and in order to reduce delays caused by the enhanced security measures for flights operating into the United States, effective Sunday, December 27, and until further notice, carry-on baggage will be restricted to one personal item (purse, computer bag, diaper bag, brief case or small backpack). All other items (roller bags, large backpacks, etc) must be checked-in.

"We regret the inconvenience these circumstances have caused our customers," said Duncan Dee, Air Canada's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our staff are working non-stop to assist customers and ensure that our flights operate as close to schedule as possible. This temporary carry-on policy will assist security officers at the gate in screening customers more quickly and thereby minimize delays for passengers to the extent possible."

Air Canada recommends passengers travelling to the U.S. from Canada arrive early at the airport for their flight in order to allow adequate time for additional personal searches. Under new rules enacted by Transport Canada and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, passengers and their carry-on baggage will be strictly limited and subject to full searches both at airport screening points and prior to boarding at the aircraft gate area.

http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/trav_adv/091226_3.html

 

[hildarumpole]

ABC News is reporting that the explosive material was sewn into the suspect's underwear. It was the same stuff the shoe bomber used. Having to remove shoes is annoying enough. Will we now be subjected to an undie check? The terrorists are constantly doing things to get around the various airport security measures. Now that the tighty-whities plot has been exposed, they'll move on to other means, but the rest of us will have to suffer the consequences of more rules and restrictions at the hands of the TSA. This latest episode shows the security holes. Nigeria may not be helpful, but that's no excuse for Amsterdam to have dropped the ball. The man was allegedly on a terrorist watch list. He shouldn't have been allowed on an airplane to the U.S. in the first place. Israeli screening practices have been very effective. Maybe it's time to take a look at how they do things, rather that enact another feel-good move to give the appearance of safety, while ingnoring the real problem.

 

[maxiesmom]

I really don't know what he TSA hopes to accomplish by implementing this rule, both the shoe bomber and the terrorist from yesterday had their "weapons" on their person, not in their carry on luggage so maybe the TSA thinks this will make some people feel safer but to me, it just says "we don't know what to do " so we will do this and hope for the best. I ususally don't have a problem with TSA guidelines but this one does very little if anything to prevent incidents like what happened yesterday.

From what I heard on the news this guy spend 20 minutes in the lav, apparently to get everything ready. He returned to his seat, and said he felt sick. Then covered himself up with a blanket in order to activate the device without being detected. The only thing that saved the plane was the fact that the device didn't work.

So that is why the are considering restricting cabin movement, and not allowing items in your lap. But all that does is help if someone wants to blow up a plane at landing. Nothing would keep someone from doing it mid-flight. Not trying to freak anyone out, but these rules make no sense!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I are flying back home on New Years Eve from Tampa - Toronto, so we will get to TPA a bit earlier then we planed on to be on the safe side. Besides that when it comes to the security lines as long as we pack all the correct items where they should be and etc along with following whatever new rules might come out in the bext few days, then we should be ok.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just read this on the WestJet website.

http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/travelInfo/travelInformation/travelAdvisories.shtml

Current Travel Advisories

As a result of the increased security measures now in place for all flights to the United States including the limit of one carry-on bag per guest, WestJet will be waiving excess baggage fees for all flights to the United States.

As announced on December 25, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) will be conducting a secondary search at the departure gate. Each guest on flights to the United States will be required to submit to a physical pat-down search and carry-on luggage, which will be limited to one bag per guest, will be searched by hand.

These new procedures are scheduled to be in effect until at least December 30, 2009. WestJet will update guests as new information becomes available.