What would you accept for safer flying?

[Laura]

Well, DH had damn well better be able to carry on his insulin and needles is all I'm saying (I can't imagine him having to trash it before boarding; it should be allowed). But I'm sure the liquids ban is temporary, and all will be well as soon as they figure this out.

 

[jonestavern]

We are very willing to go along with severe measures in order to gain a little more security--we do realize that no search or restrictions can guarantee safety.

In listening to a CNN interview, just within the last few minutes, an 'expert' says it is possible to impregnate paper with explosive materials, so anything appears to be possible. As for waiting in lines longer, heck DMom & I waited in line 9 hours to see the 1st King Tut exhibit when it came to DC. I am older & fatter, but I think I can manage.

Yes, it will effect business travellers greatly--perhaps, in order to remain efficient, you'll see many more smallish companies pooling funds to lease private aircraft

I plan to overnight some of our things & post some, too--yes, expensive & hopefully they won't get lost! Buy UPS stock everyone!

At the rate the airlines loose luggage, or things 'disappear' from checked luggage, perhaps this will be an incentive for the airlines to actually do their jobs, perform thorough background checks, implement frequent drug testing & perhaps, use TV monoriting on all personel in contact with restricted or limited access areas. Remember the theft rings busted--these scumbums make a living stealing from baggage--don't tell me this doesn't still go on.

It will require a lot more personnel to weed out the false reports, but it is also the duty of us folks to report whenever they hear of workers boozing or drugging, or ignoring rules & waving through persons without following procedures. Does anyone recall just a few years back the TV investigative reports on gaining access to restricted areas in large US airports w/o any ID or with glaringly obvious fake ID? All that & after 9/11!

If there is a large percentage of travellers turning to trains, buses, autos--look for the plotters to turn their focus on major disruptions of train tracks, critical bridges--which would effect also, the shipment of goods. They love a body count & severe financial repercussions. These terrorists are patient.

So yep, we'll still fly. Wearing good undies & doing a pedi just in case it's the ol' strip search!

Jean

 

[Magix]

Count me as another photographer who absolutely will not trust my equipment to the checked baggage. I fly with a large carry-on backpack, which holds 2 SLR camera bodies, a point & shoot, a laptop, lenses, flash, and all equipment needed for those items. I would never check the items, for fear of breakage or loss. Without my gear, my trip is wasted.

Thanks heavens I'm not going to the Champ Car race in Denver this weekend. I would have flown today. I can't imagine what all the photographers who are heading out there are going through, trying to get their equipment there in one piece.

I can live without my iPod on the plane, but I can't go without my camera gear in my own supervision. It's unfortunate that we can't trust the airline personnel to handle our bags with care and without the temptation to steal. But, it's been proven over and over again that once your bags are out of your hands, there's no way to protect yourself.

No carry-on, no flying. If the government wants to put the airlines out of business, then I'll figure another way to get to the races. Maybe this is just what Amtrak needs to survive.

 

[ducklite]

What would I do? Whatever they ask me to! (and believe me I have been asked to do some wierd things) Everything can get checked. If we are so concerned about the way that luggage is handled pack much lighter, its easier on the people involved in handling. Carry a book to read!! We seriously can sit for a few hours with just a book and survive (heck that’s all I took on a flight to London with me…didn’t bother with the movie and I did just fine) And the argument that cameras ect cannot be placed on the belly is ridiculous! Artists do it all the time with very expensive camera and recording equipment(things that cost upwards of $30,000+), all you need is the proper luggage that protects it! Will some things get lost or broken…sure, we are after all human ,but I would give up a $500 camera in return for my safety. I fly all the time, even directly after 9/11, and never feared for my safety in an airport. I fear Friday night drivers much more!

The camera gear I have right now is worth about $5K. I'm about to buy a new body and lens that will bring that value to $13K. Until the carriers are willing to ensure that my gear will arrive in one piece and not be stolen, I'm not willing to check it. And shipping it off ahead of time isn't going to work either a lot of times for me.

Anne

 

[Snowysmom]

I am willing to have limited carry on luggage in order to be safe. Maybe they could have some sort of clear carry on bag for passengers so everything is in plain sight. But, the problem will still be with the checked luggage. They don't screen that enough to be considered completely safe. That needs to be corrected. Cell phones, laptops, and other electronic equipment is a gray area and I can see where making you check those items could be a big problem with breakage, loss, and theft. We plan to fly next year and right now DH is not thrilled. He wants to drive.

 

[budbeerlady]

I would like to see airlines trying to pro-active by offering you a bottle of water when you enter the plane to be seated. But if not and these new regulations stick I can survive with out for 2 hours.

In a way no carry on luggage would be nice, I always get wacked by someones too large carry on as they travel down the aisle and then my luggage gets cramped when they try to force it into the overhead. I admit I have my magazines, Ipod, camera, snacks and clothes and what not in my bag but I can survive with out it.

But the bigger problems lie with the airport personnel and screeners. My best friend works at our airport so we have spent any amount of time with baggage handlers, screeners and many of the airport personnel before our flights, parties after her shift, weekends etc. It is a scary thought that they are in charge of my safety everytime I depart the airport. Rememeber when the national guard was in airports after 9/11? NOT all of them, but several were so hung over day after day I was amazed they even made it to work. Our safety lies with the baggage handlers, the food prep people, the mechanics, anyone who enters that airport to work. I never worked there but could go where ever I wanted with my friend while waiting for my flight. That needs to be corrected FAST!!!!!!!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I fly 3-4 times a month and have never had any hassle from any TSA agent or member of a flight crew. I stand in line like a good boy and do whatever they ask of me. I have had the pleasure of seeing a few obnoxious jerks get stopped at the TSA screeners because they were complaining about procedure. As a matter of fact, just 2 weeks ago, the guy right in front of me in line got taken away because he complained about how long the wait was. I don't get the complainer's logic...these guys have the right to hold up your trip indefinitely if they feel that your are a risk to the other passengers.

That being said, I think the new "no liquids" rule is simply a case of "putting lipsick on a pig". As long as travelers have access to personal electronics, specifically cell phones, what is to stop a terrorist from using those electronics to activate a liquid, or any, explosive that he has stowed in his checked luggage in the belly of the airplane. The new rule is just there to give the perception that there is some sort of government control to make travelers feel safe.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I have a fear of flying but it has nothing to do with terrorists and everything to do with crashing. I usually don't bring a whole lot on the plane anyway since half the time I'm paralyzed in fear. As long as I can bring something to read to distract me, I'll be allright.

I'll still fly though, there are way too many places I want to visit and I couldn't get there without a plane ride. I'll never let my flying(crashing) fears ground me because logically I know it's still the safest way to travel.

 

[Chicago526]

Right now, for US domestic flights, it's ONLY liquieds that have been banned as carry-on (it's okay for checked). The exceptions are liquid prescription medications that has a name on the lable that matches the ticketed passenger, and formula, breast milk and juice for when a child is traveling. So far, electronics have NOT been banned, although you may have to turn them on to prove they are plain old electronics and not a bomb.

Only in the UK are the restrictions super strict, and given the circumstances, it's reasonable for the short term. I doubt it will be in place for more than 4-7 days, tops.

Don't worry, folks, you can still bring your laptops and expensive camera equipment on board. Unless something develops, I doubt this will change for US flights.

 

[Chicago526]

As long as travelers have access to personal electronics, specifically cell phones, what is to stop a terrorist from using those electronics to activate a liquid, or any, explosive that he has stowed in his checked luggage in the belly of the airplane.

All checked baggage is screened by "bomb sniffing" machines. If you have explosives in your bags, they'll find them.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I *might* go without a laptop or portable DVD player.

But I will not go without water. My parents drove us. We can drive the kids.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

All checked baggage is screened by "bomb sniffing" machines. If you have explosives in your bags, they'll find them.

The x-ray at the TSA carry-on checkpoint is also shows evidence of explosives, so what's the difference?

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

It is a sad state when kids must have their gameboy/DVD player to behave on a plane. Maybe a little time reading or doing puzzles would be a good thing.

Um, I think I saw somewhere no books either. That would be a killer for me, I ALWAYS have a book with me. It would be difficult to go on a long flight with nothing to read.

 

[taylor1293]

I don't fly very often because it scares me. Not because of terrorism, but because of mechanical failure or human error!

With that said, I can live without bringing liquids on the plane. However, I will never check my electronics. So if there ever comes a time where electronics are not allowed to be carried on, I will no longer fly. I have no faith in the airlines protecting my checked luggage from theft or damage.

Teresa

 

[shamrock30]

I love to travel, especially to Europe, but I guess I don't love it enough to want to deal with the liquid ban. I wear contacts, and my skin is also too sensitive to risk losing all of my toiletry items if my baggage went astray. I also can't imagine taking a flight without bringing my own water. The "bottled" water that they pour for you onboard is often refilled from the hold, and the bacteria count is a well-known problem. I also would never check my camera. I never put anything of value in my checked luggage.

I could live with being limited to a smaller carry-on, and I can travel without a lap-top or cell. Even though the security measures are understandable, I'm glad I didn't make reservations for a fall trip to London like I was planning.

 

[poohandwendy]

I *might* go without a laptop or portable DVD player.

But I will not go without water. My parents drove us. We can drive the kids.

As it stands now, you can ask the steward for a bottle of water even before the beverage service is brought, I have seen it happen several times. Now, I doubt they would get you a soft drink before beverage service, but water...they definitely will.

 

[poohandwendy]

The "bottled" water that they pour for you onboard is often refilled from the hold, and the bacteria count is a well-known problem.

Wow, which airlines are you talking about? I have never received anything but a brand new, never opened, bottle and a cup of ice (if I request it). LOL, although the bottle is smaller than I usually buy.

 

[katerkat]

We seriously can sit for a few hours with just a book and survive (heck that’s all I took on a flight to London with me…didn’t bother with the movie and I did just fine)

You're obviously not 16 months old. If we can't bring baby stuff with us (not just diapers, I'm talking six billion toys to entertain him), we'll have to stop flying whenever possible. Since we live across the country from my entire family, that means he'll stop seeing his grandparents, aunts, Cousin Mickey Mouse....

 

[aprilgail2]

I am fine with no carry ons-check everything. I always said that I would be fine if they took everyones clothes and you just wore a toga like sheet on the plane too LOL..thats how nervous a flyer I am!!!

 

[ducklite]

Wow, which airlines are you talking about? I have never received anything but a brand new, never opened, bottle and a cup of ice (if I request it). LOL, although the bottle is smaller than I usually buy.

Same here.

Anne