As a very frequent traveler back and forth between the U.S. and the U.K, I have found that certain items are essential for combating the extremely unsanitary and very dry conditions of airplanes. Eyedrops, lotion, antibacterial hand-gel and toothpaste are essential items for sanitation and comfort, and and therefore protect the health and comfort of my fellow passengers. I'm not one of the "rollaboard" culprits - these travel-sized items take up almost no space. Does anyone know if airlines will be dispensing these types of hygiene products? Does anyone have any suggestions for alternatives?

As for the shoes - for the other germaphobes out there: I hate taking them off because I think it's pretty gross to walk where thousands of other people have walked in dirty socks, bare feet or whatever, so I always respectfully request that they swab/wand my shoes instead. If can't or won't, I carry flip-flops to slip on while my shoes go through the x-ray machine. But generally the TSA agents have been accomodating and polite when I make this request.

Authorities have known since <b>1994</b> that the just-busted scenario was being entertained by terrorists. The Oplan Bojinka plot was exactly this same scheme, this time being planned by terrorists in the Philippines. The plan: Smuggle liquid/gel explosives onboard 11 trans-Pacific jetliners.

Now, liquid explosives were around and just as dangerous in 1994. Why no screening then? How come all of a sudden they worry about liquid explosives now?

The fact remains: these kinds of plots are only thwarted by police action. The kind of police action that <b>should</b> have been done in 2001 to thwart the 9/11 atrocities. Screening catches the psycho loners and weirdos and insurance fraud perps. Oh, and how about screening AIR CARGO thoroughly?!?