What would you accept for safer flying?

[helenabear]

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.

This is what I don't understand...

they allow it for kids, but no one else

it really does not make a world of sense to me

sure a kid can bring juice box, but no one saline solution or liquid tylenol

I realize that the TSA is saying this, but IMO, they are blowing this out of proportion

If you look at all the people on the UK flight were NOT allowed (books) you can see why some are getting uppity about the thought of no electronics

These are things I will NOT check and wil keep me from flying as much as possible.

IMO, they better lift this liquid ban ASAP... it is fostering more fear than I think is needed.

 

[Shutterbug]

They're getting close to making you fly naked

What an interesting thought. There was this time when I flew back from Florida sitting next to this girl that worked at Hooters

 

[golfgal]

They could, but there would be more "hubs" thus smaller lines, so easier to manage. Also a train could carry more "needed" items, thus reducing the need for carry on. The liquids are allowed in checked luggage, since they go thru bomb detection equipment.

I also think that us Americans think we need way more stuff than we really do. The cell phone is an example. When we arrive we could use a payphone to call the person's cell/home phone to tell them we are in. We just WANT to use our cell phone. Do I really need my laptop to write my trip report on vacation, or could I just jot down notes and write it at home? Do I really need to DIS on vacation, now I am dead!

There are two types of travel, business and vacation. Business needs more thing, but vacation is suppose to be just that vacation. We are there to forget our worries and normal daily grind and relax not to continue them.

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.

It isn't so much that I couldn't take those things on the plane as it is that I don't trust the baggage handlers to not steal them out of my checked luggage. I would much rather check everything but my book and snacks for the plane but I have no assurances that any item will still be in my luggage when I pick it up. The airlines are not reimbursing for full value of lost/stolen luggage or items in your luggage so basically you will be out the cost of anything taken out of your checked luggage.

It isn't a sad state that kids need a DVD or Gameboy to behave on the plane, it is just EASIER all the way around for them to have those. I am also thinking ahead to our trip to China, 17 HOURS. I was planning on bringing a DVD player for MYSELF.

 

[mickeyfan2]

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.

Books are allowed.

 

[jodifla]

Books are allowed.

Not in the UK today.

 

[KidAtHeart1]

Are they just screening for liquids before you get past security? What about after? Can't you purchase soda/water/whatever liquids from the convienience shops that are past security in the terminals and put it in your bag? How is that working?

 

[golfgal]

Are they just screening for liquids before you get past security? What about after? Can't you purchase soda/water/whatever liquids from the convienience shops that are past security in the terminals and put it in your bag? How is that working?

Good point but I think what they are trying to eliminate are people bringing those through the security gates, people emptying out waterbottles at home and filling them with bomb making materials. Once they are through the gate, I don't know that they would have access to the materials to make the bombs.

 

[jodifla]

Are they just screening for liquids before you get past security? What about after? Can't you purchase soda/water/whatever liquids from the convienience shops that are past security in the terminals and put it in your bag? How is that working?

No, you can bring any liquids aboard, even those you purchased from the airport after you went through security.

 

[ducklite]

Are they just screening for liquids before you get past security? What about after? Can't you purchase soda/water/whatever liquids from the convienience shops that are past security in the terminals and put it in your bag? How is that working?

You must consume it before boarding and they are doing random checks at the gate.

Anne

 

[floridafam]

I thought this was a great article.

www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/terror.newthreat.ap/index.html

I would be willing to check almost anything. Fortunately, our baby is off formula but I really feel for the parents of babies who are not.

I don't plan on flying anywhere anytime soon so I don't have to worry about it quite yet.

I do think we really need to change how security is handled at most airports.

 

[ducklite]

Maybe ANYONE who wants to fly must become a "Trusted Traveler" and submit in advance to background checks, finger prints, and retina scans, as well as obtain a passport.

While it's not foolproof, it's a lot better than what we have now...

Anne

 

[golfgal]

I thought this was a great article.

www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/terror.newthreat.ap/index.html

I would be willing to check almost anything. Fortunately, our baby is off formula but I really feel for the parents of babies who are not.

I don't plan on flying anywhere anytime soon so I don't have to worry about it quite yet.

I do think we really need to change how security is handled at most airports.

Baby formula is allowed but only after they check it. I just read on CNN that one of the people they arrested worked for the airport and had an "everywhere" pass so it is possible that even if they confiscated everything at the security checks, this worker could have resupplied them in the terminal.

 

[jodifla]

I thought this was a great article.

www.cnn.com/2006/US/08/10/terror.newthreat.ap/index.html

I would be willing to check almost anything. Fortunately, our baby is off formula but I really feel for the parents of babies who are not.

I don't plan on flying anywhere anytime soon so I don't have to worry about it quite yet.

I do think we really need to change how security is handled at most airports.

I think it's pretty alarmist. I remember reading similar stories after 9/11.

The truth is, again, most people won't fly under those scenarios in the story. No watches? The change to the American economy would be radical.

 

[Charade]

Have we lost sight of the fact that traveling by airplane is a privilege and not a right?

I understand it's an integral part of many peoples lives but certainly there can be (and has to be) somewhat of a balance between safe and sorry for the airlines to remain in business. That doesn't mean it can (or should be) equally balanced. My preference is leaning more toward "safe".

 

[jodifla]

Have we lost sight of the fact that traveling by airplane is a privilege and not a right?

I understand it's an integral part of many peoples lives but certainly there can be (and has to be) somewhat of a balance between safe and sorry for the airlines to remain in business. That doesn't mean it can (or should be) equally balanced. My preference is leaning more toward "safe".

As we take one thing away from the terrorists (liquid) they'll move on to other things. We'll never be "safe" as long as people are trying to kill us!

The article quoted above said it was actually powder that could make the most explosive stuff. And the powder could be hidden in all kinds of things.

 

[ducklite]

Have we lost sight of the fact that traveling by airplane is a privilege and not a right?

I understand it's an integral part of many peoples lives but certainly there can be (and has to be) somewhat of a balance between safe and sorry for the airlines to remain in business. That doesn't mean it can (or should be) equally balanced. My preference is leaning more toward "safe".

True. But if they make it so restrictive that flying is so incovenient that it's jsut not worth it, they'll put a lot of people out of work as the public simply stops flying.

My husband is already saying he's had enough of the illusion of safety that they are trying to protray, when as well all know, "illusion" seems to be the key word. He's jsut not willing to jump through hoops anymore. We were planning a winter getaway, now he's saying if he can't drive there, he simply doesn't want to go. It has nothing to do with being a fraid, it has to deal with no longer wanting to deal with the BS that seems to accompany the illusion of safety.

Anne

 

[jen_uk]

I am wondering how many people in the UK are up in arms over not being able to bring bottled water/liquids, electronics et al on a plane?

Generally people here are ok with the security measures. If you read the posts on the UK board noone is really bothered about not being able to take electronics etc, the only thing people are concerned about are the baby items. Alot of people have said that they wish the hand luggage ban would continue for good as they would feel safer. From reading the posts on this boards it seems that Americans love their electroincs much more than we do (Im not saying that thats a bad thing!), I can't think of anyone I know who would have a problem with not being able to take a cell phone or dvd player in their hand luggage. I don't even own half the things you talk about!! I would miss taking a book the most!

 

[jodifla]

Generally people here are ok with the security measures. If you read the posts on the UK board noone is really bothered about not being able to take electronics etc, the only thing people are concerned about are the baby items. Alot of people have said that they wish the hand luggage ban would continue for good as they would feel safer. From reading the posts on this boards it seems that Americans love their electroincs much more than we do (Im not saying that thats a bad thing!), I can't think of anyone I know who would have a problem with not being able to take a cell phone or dvd player in their hand luggage. I don't even own half the things you talk about!! I would miss taking a book the most!

A lot of the reason people don't want to check electronics is that they break or disappear out of their bags when they are searched.

Not sure how the book thing makes any sense. Why on earth on people not allowed to carry on books?

 

[ducklite]

Generally people here are ok with the security measures. If you read the posts on the UK board noone is really bothered about not being able to take electronics etc, the only thing people are concerned about are the baby items. Alot of people have said that they wish the hand luggage ban would continue for good as they would feel safer. From reading the posts on this boards it seems that Americans love their electroincs much more than we do (Im not saying that thats a bad thing!), I can't think of anyone I know who would have a problem with not being able to take a cell phone or dvd player in their hand luggage. I don't even own half the things you talk about!! I would miss taking a book the most!

Those people are discussing leisure travel. Many of us are business travelers that DO need our electronics for business, it's the whole purpose of our travel to begin with. And checking a $3000 laptop isn't an option because there's no guarantee that it will come back in one, if at all.

Anne

 

[jen_uk]

We do fly for business reasons as well!

Books are banned bcos the pages could be soaked in chemicals and then dried.