rkkwan

pavfec - I usually only take a 21" rollerboard and a small camera bag everywhere I go, except for shopping trips to Hong Kong. That's all I need, so I don't check bags.

The real issue now for me is contact lens solution. I don't <b>have</b> to brush my teeth - and they haven't banned chewing gum yet - but I can't wear my contact lens for long trips to Europe or Asia.

mjz

AAFF - If you feel legitimate questions are silly, then so be it. I'm just trying to determine what I should be prepared for Monday morning when I travel. A colleague told me that laptops would need to be checked, so I wanted to verify as that seemed odd to me.

TheWeasel

I agree with AAFF re: the multiple threads. There seems to be a thread for every item: laptop, lipstick, baby food, etc. All questions can be answered pretty quickly by reading the official website, rather than relying on colleagues and anonymous people on Fodors. Links have been provided multiple times.

pavfec

rkkwan - I totally understand the contact lens thing. My DH also wears them and it can be a pain for overnight flights.

I'm just wondering what is so bad about checking luggage. In fact, until I came to these boards, I didn't know anyone who travelled to Europe for a few weeks with only a carry-on. I've always used bigger suitcases. I had a 29&quot; suitcase that my DH will now use and I have just bought a lighter 28&quot; one.

I saw pictures of bins full of hairspray, deodorant, creams, etc. at airports yesterday. Do people really carry all these in their carry-on? Given that anyone travelling through the UK has to check all their baggage, then why not just put your toiletries into your luggage?

AAFrequentFlyer

<b>mjz</b>,

this would not have been a silly question if it was the first one, but since it has been answered here and on other threads, then it did became silly.

People took the time to post links to the TSA site, give their opinions, yet you feel that you needed to ask about something that's been discussed numerous times in the last 24 hours right here on Fodors?

rkkwan

pavfec - Since I usually use public transport in Europe and rarely take taxis, a 21&quot; inch is perfect for my travel. And it's really small enough to fit overhead bins head-in, so it's a very reasonable thing to just carry-on.

My toiletry stuff includes small bottle of contact lens solution (just enough for my trip), lens cup, deodorant, tooth brush and toothpaste (I find it very refreshing to brush my teeth before arrival on a long Atlantic or Pacific flight), plus a small sample-sized bottle of eau de toilette. So, there are definitely stuff I can't bring onboard now.

mjz

Obviously, I missed the tread this morning about laptops. I've been doing too many things at once today and following the thread I posted yesterday evening. I was not aware of the TSA link and will look at it from here on out.

AAFrequentFlyer

I hope we're still friends...

anyway, here is the link:

http://tsa-7.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ts...er/std_alp.php

tamjam

AAFF - You keep saying to check the TSA site for details. Unfortunately, there are no details about contact lens and lipstick. These questions may sound silly to you, but are significant for me. I fly day trips, and need to keep a lens case with some solution with me in the event my eyes get irritated. It's not much solution, but it is liquid. If the case and solution are taken, I'm screwed. Lipstick is not a gel or liquid, but again, it's not addressed on TSA. Just says if you question it, pack it. Not a real solution.
Furthermore, this is a forum where we share opinions and experiences. I am look for experiences on both. Same can be said if we want info on Orlando, don't come to Fodor's but go to the Orlando web site.

AAFrequentFlyer

<b>tamjam</b>,

I thought I was discussing laptops...

LT

Although I wish terrorism wasn't an issue and things could go back to the way they used to be (I know, I know, it's not going to happen, but it's nice to dream!), one bright spot in all of this is that this may be the end of the rollaboard! It's going to be so nice to not have to worry about whether or not I'll have space in the overhead, because nobody will have that much to stow to begin with! I'll also not have to worry about trying to board the plane/get to my seat first so I can stow my modest bag in the overhead before Mr./Ms. Rollaboard comes charging down the aisle to hog up the entire bin!

But, as some have mentioned elsewhere, I wonder if the airlines are going to give us a break on checked baggage weight limits . . . Something tells me no . . .

tamjam

AAFF - I thought you meant questions about all items were silly. I didn't think you were just talking about laptops. My apologies.

AAFrequentFlyer

<b>LT</b>

It won't stop me from having taking a rollaboard and a personal bag(computer) everytime I fly. I haven't seen any new regulations prohibiting me from doing it (with the exception of UK at the moment), and I don't think that restriction will last very long. Sorry, but your wish will be just that, a wish....

yk

The only positive thing that comes out of this is that from now on, more people will be checking their luggage (myself included - I can't travel without contact lens solution, makeup etc).

To me, it's kind of a relief in a strange sense, as I no longer have to <b>fight for overhead bin space</b>! This has been a constant worry for me, especially when I fly airlines which I'm not an elite member.

From now on, I can wait around in the gate area until the <b>very last minute</b> before boarding the plane to sit in my crammed seat! Yay!

gutdoc56

After 4 million years of human evolution, 50,000 years of civilization (of one sort of another), and 50 years of walking around on this planet, I claim the fundamental right of getting a drink of water when I want it and not at the whim of some flight attendant. If that means I don't fly - so be it. I'll drive, cruise, or stay home. As rationality, courtesy, dignity, and decent service return to commercial aviation I'll reconsider. Until then, pleasant and safe flying to those of you with the willingness/stamina/lack of self-respect to put up with it.

galileosdaughter1

Well said!

galileosdaughter1

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 &quot;rollaboard&quot; 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?

On a different note, does anyone have any information on transatlantic cruiselines? To most that may sound extreme, but I always have to hit the ground running when I arrive overseas and if I'm exhausted, dehydrated, practically blind and sick because of all the germs, I'd just as soon take a boat...

AnnRiley

My we have some strong opinions here!Yes we all have the right to have a drink of water etc without FA's telling us what to do, and because of the present restrictions some of you will notbe flying. But whoever you are, you are not the only person on the plane! We all have rights..I cannot believe what gets up some people noses, so some rules and regulations are bought in to make things a bit safer for us to fly, and your going on about not being able to drink when you want to, Be patient!! The FA has a right to keep order on the plane its her/his job, if they did not control passagers who get bolshi cause they can't have a drink/go to the loo/see the monitors etc... then we would have anarchy on the plane, just relax, I think it's a bit extreme to veto flying because of the present problems, and by the way all the other forms of transport mentioned are not without their problems..Some people have moaning down to a fine art. And yes i think the british are a bit more tolerant in certain situations. I am waiting with bated breath for what I am about to receive!!!!I have wide shoulders..onwards and upwards McDuff......

gutdoc56

Actually I think my post is more a statement of principle than &quot;moaning.&quot;

Had the airlines treated their customers with more honesty and respect, kept their planes cleaner, not crammed their passengers into aluminum cans and forbidden them to move for hours without explanations, not overbooked and then bumped them, the industry might have a little more sympathy from more of us. There might be less &quot;anarchy on the plane&quot; less air rage, less &quot;moaning.&quot; We all have rights; we all have opinions. We all have travel options. And I have lots of patience, but I have more when I am not being charged hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars to be herded about like livestock. I'll make it easier for the &quot;FA's,&quot; I'll take my moaning about my bottle of water and go elsewhere. I kinda hope thousands of others do likewise. Fortunately for me flying is usually a convenience exercised by choice; one that I will choose not to exercise anywhere near as much for the foreseable future. What's wrong with that?

And seriously, even the dullest TSA bureaucrat could come up with a way to provide &quot;DHS-approved, security sealed&quot; water, contact lens solution, hand lotion/sanitizer or whatever for the sheep ... er passengers at the gate to keep those whiney, selfish, troublesome customers pacified until their excellences the flight crew condescend to notice them.

TheWeasel

&quot;If that means I don't fly - so be it. I'll drive, cruise, or stay home.&quot;

I vote that you stay home. The travelling public thanks you for keeping that crotchety attitude to yourself.