Hand Baggage Banned on UK flights
Aug 9th, 2006, 10:24 PM
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Hand Baggage Banned on UK flights
Aug 9th, 2006, 10:36 PM
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here's another article about it:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778615.stm?ls
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778615.stm?ls
Aug 9th, 2006, 10:37 PM
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What's going on? To quote -
With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.
Transferring, as when you fly AA to LHR then BA to Africa? Can't carry on a book, cloths, camera kit? If this is true, I would think many many travelers would avoid UK airports. If true, how long will it be in effect? (Maybe I'm lucky we are going through Amsterdam!!)
regards - tom
ps- yeah, but, could not an explosive be in the hold luggage? I can't see how blowing up a plane can be prevented if Musilms are determined to do so. Even if you caught 75% of the Muslims trying, it still leaves room for disaster.
With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.
Transferring, as when you fly AA to LHR then BA to Africa? Can't carry on a book, cloths, camera kit? If this is true, I would think many many travelers would avoid UK airports. If true, how long will it be in effect? (Maybe I'm lucky we are going through Amsterdam!!)
regards - tom
ps- yeah, but, could not an explosive be in the hold luggage? I can't see how blowing up a plane can be prevented if Musilms are determined to do so. Even if you caught 75% of the Muslims trying, it still leaves room for disaster.
Aug 9th, 2006, 11:41 PM
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Today's New York Times explains it.
"LONDON (AP) -- Authorities in London thwarted a terrorist plot to blow up aircraft mid-flight between Britain and the U.S. using explosives smuggled in hand luggage, police said Thursday."
"LONDON (AP) -- Authorities in London thwarted a terrorist plot to blow up aircraft mid-flight between Britain and the U.S. using explosives smuggled in hand luggage, police said Thursday."
Aug 9th, 2006, 11:47 PM
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I'm with you Hari. I don't think I've ever been so careless as to regard militant members of the IRA and their violent opponents, or for that matter the Italian Mafia as Christians (yet they all profess to be Christian). We don't want to argue about such things in this forum; just exercise care in your use of words so you don't malign the many good members of any faith.
John
John
Aug 10th, 2006, 12:19 AM
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Hi,
I just heard the news on the way in to work, aparently 20 people have been arrested for this attempted bomb plot. UK airports are on high alert and there are warnings of LONG delays in the airport. Lots of flights from here in Ireland to the UK have been cancelled this morning. This is definately not good for Mum-in-laws heart who is supposed to be flying to London this morning to spend a week with her daughter and new baby!!!
Imelda
I just heard the news on the way in to work, aparently 20 people have been arrested for this attempted bomb plot. UK airports are on high alert and there are warnings of LONG delays in the airport. Lots of flights from here in Ireland to the UK have been cancelled this morning. This is definately not good for Mum-in-laws heart who is supposed to be flying to London this morning to spend a week with her daughter and new baby!!!
Imelda
Aug 10th, 2006, 01:28 AM
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Watching CNN right now. Only stuff allowed on board, passports and travel documents, wallet with only cash, id and CC. Prescription glasses and sunglasses without their cases, prescription medication, baby food and formula. All stuff in plastic bags.
Jeez!!!
Any fodorites travelling thru Heathrow for their Africa safari??? If so, you have to chk in your camera and equipment....no exceptions...
Hari
Jeez!!!
Any fodorites travelling thru Heathrow for their Africa safari??? If so, you have to chk in your camera and equipment....no exceptions...
Hari
Aug 10th, 2006, 02:11 AM
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Hello,
I doubt that this will be in effect for long, due to the likely knock-on effects on the UK economy. IMO it's a severe over-reaction on the part of the government -- it's not as if nappies and other baby stuff couldn't be used to smuggle things onboard, so the list is cimpletely arbitrary.
Here are the details from the UK Department for Transport:
-------------------------------------------
Following this morning's police action, security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for all flights.
With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.
All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.
Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:
pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
keys (but no electrical key fobs)
All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.
Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.
In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.
There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.
Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.
These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only. In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.
If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier.'
-----------------------------------------
My advice, if you are already booked to travel in the near future, would be pack all camera and video gear very carefully and have it labelled as fragile. Leave anything non-essential (e.g. American mobile phones which don't work in Africa anyhow) at home. Extra insurance might also be a good idea.
If your trip is not until next year, you may want to wait and see how things develop before changing your flights. If you haven't booked your flights yet, you may want to consider another routing.
Cheers,
Julian
I doubt that this will be in effect for long, due to the likely knock-on effects on the UK economy. IMO it's a severe over-reaction on the part of the government -- it's not as if nappies and other baby stuff couldn't be used to smuggle things onboard, so the list is cimpletely arbitrary.
Here are the details from the UK Department for Transport:
-------------------------------------------
Following this morning's police action, security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for all flights.
With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.
All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.
Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:
pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
keys (but no electrical key fobs)
All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.
Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.
In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.
There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.
Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.
These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only. In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.
If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier.'
-----------------------------------------
My advice, if you are already booked to travel in the near future, would be pack all camera and video gear very carefully and have it labelled as fragile. Leave anything non-essential (e.g. American mobile phones which don't work in Africa anyhow) at home. Extra insurance might also be a good idea.
If your trip is not until next year, you may want to wait and see how things develop before changing your flights. If you haven't booked your flights yet, you may want to consider another routing.
Cheers,
Julian
Aug 10th, 2006, 02:42 AM
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that's funny- i did not see breakable african souvenirs, expensive jewelry, or fragile cameras on that list.
having had my favorite earrings and bracelets stolen out of a checked bag when i was young and stupid, i am especially stressed about my flight. i can tell you one thing- i am now wondering why i am flying through south africa and jnb at all if i cannot carry back amarula!
i wonder how the duty free folks are going to take this??
having had my favorite earrings and bracelets stolen out of a checked bag when i was young and stupid, i am especially stressed about my flight. i can tell you one thing- i am now wondering why i am flying through south africa and jnb at all if i cannot carry back amarula!
i wonder how the duty free folks are going to take this??
Aug 10th, 2006, 02:48 AM
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Kerikeri, Yes I'm back 
and back to work at that . And you didn't actually miss my trip report, as, I'm afraid, I'm not as quick to post as those more organised fodorites here ... I PROMISE I will do my best to get it started this weekend but bear in mind I'm certianly not gifted when it comes to writing. I will give it my best shot though 
Imelda
and back to work at that . And you didn't actually miss my trip report, as, I'm afraid, I'm not as quick to post as those more organised fodorites here ... I PROMISE I will do my best to get it started this weekend but bear in mind I'm certianly not gifted when it comes to writing. I will give it my best shot though Imelda
Aug 10th, 2006, 03:35 AM
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... what a wake-up call!
Who knows whether those up to no good may not consider this out of other airports on the Continent or elsewhere.
But, as we've learned over the years, things change from day-to-day, so stay on top of what's happening; be prepared with zip-lock bags to pack these items in your checked bags.
... sounds like a "duct tape" situation!
Who knows whether those up to no good may not consider this out of other airports on the Continent or elsewhere.
But, as we've learned over the years, things change from day-to-day, so stay on top of what's happening; be prepared with zip-lock bags to pack these items in your checked bags.
... sounds like a "duct tape" situation!
Aug 10th, 2006, 03:50 AM
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I would rather see people be inconvenienced than dead. I would rather see people inconvenienced than have their families, friends, countrymen and world-mates live through the pain that would happen if one or three or ten airplanes were exploded.
Mostly, I would rather we could all live in peace.
Cyn
Mostly, I would rather we could all live in peace.
Cyn
Aug 10th, 2006, 04:20 AM
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Well said, Cyn!
My first reaction this morning when I watched the news getting ready was "what a nightmare" and quickly moved on to how we would manage for upcoming trips in September and October given the volume and value of camera and computer equipment we carry with us as hand luggage usually.
But my next thought, which overrode the selfish ones above pretty quickly was that the authorities must have a very very good reason to take such stringent measures and they aren't taking them for fun!
As I had to travel to a client site on the Tube today I also wondered what a terrorist thwarted in his plans to blow up a plane (having watched the news and realised that he would not get through security) might do - would he perhaps divert to the Tube instead a la 7/7/05? I confess to a moment of nervousness about it before I returned to my normal attitude of not letting fear stop me living my life normally.
I believe that the reason for such extreme restrictions on items permitted is because the threat relates to liquid explosive and that can be carried in many ways. One can even soak books or papers in it and leave them to dry.
I can't imagine they will keep the restrictions this tight for an extended period but certainly am going to start thinking of ways to deal with this for my upcoming trips just incase.
Be safe, friends.
My first reaction this morning when I watched the news getting ready was "what a nightmare" and quickly moved on to how we would manage for upcoming trips in September and October given the volume and value of camera and computer equipment we carry with us as hand luggage usually.
But my next thought, which overrode the selfish ones above pretty quickly was that the authorities must have a very very good reason to take such stringent measures and they aren't taking them for fun!
As I had to travel to a client site on the Tube today I also wondered what a terrorist thwarted in his plans to blow up a plane (having watched the news and realised that he would not get through security) might do - would he perhaps divert to the Tube instead a la 7/7/05? I confess to a moment of nervousness about it before I returned to my normal attitude of not letting fear stop me living my life normally.
I believe that the reason for such extreme restrictions on items permitted is because the threat relates to liquid explosive and that can be carried in many ways. One can even soak books or papers in it and leave them to dry.
I can't imagine they will keep the restrictions this tight for an extended period but certainly am going to start thinking of ways to deal with this for my upcoming trips just incase.
Be safe, friends.
Aug 10th, 2006, 04:25 AM
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Marija,
I've been thinking about the same thing. We go through LHR on our way to South Africa.
We can bring a more sturdy bag (a third bag in addition to the two duffles), pack the cameras in bubble wrap and maybe put them in a hard case inside the wheeled suitcase. Then when we get to JNB we can put the electronics in our carry-ons, and check the wheeled bag in storage, to be picked up on our return.
We are taking Federal Air for our internal flights and maybe I'll check to see if they hold bags at their operation.
In the meantime we just wait and watch the news for updates.
CW
I've been thinking about the same thing. We go through LHR on our way to South Africa.
We can bring a more sturdy bag (a third bag in addition to the two duffles), pack the cameras in bubble wrap and maybe put them in a hard case inside the wheeled suitcase. Then when we get to JNB we can put the electronics in our carry-ons, and check the wheeled bag in storage, to be picked up on our return.
We are taking Federal Air for our internal flights and maybe I'll check to see if they hold bags at their operation.
In the meantime we just wait and watch the news for updates.
CW
