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

Sorry, can't do that. The world needs prophets who are not afraid to tell it like it is! :-)

I can't say I necessarily believe that these additional measures are going to keep us any safer, but I don't think that not being able to wear contacts, use chapstick or lipstick, or wash my hands with anti-bacterial lotion is denying me my rights.

While all of these things are very handy and helpful, I've never met anyone who died because they didn't get them. As for the water, even coach gets free water - maybe it's not bottled water, but have you seen the reports regarding bottled water, most of them are just as "dirty" as tap water (heck, half of them are tap water), so think of it as saving a few more bucks. If you're concerned about dehydration, ask the FA for 10 cups each time she/he comes through.

As with the last time security measures were increased drastically, common sense will win out and things will settle down. Right now, everyone's hurrying to lock the barn door because the horse was stolen. Does it bring back the horse, no; but does it makes you feel a bit better, yes.

Mmmmmm, toadtoes, yours sounds like the kind of logical, coolheadedness that will unfortunately rarely prevail in such siutuations. In my extensive travel experience, I will continue to be harrassed for carrying such things as nosespray, which allows me to breathe normally and clean water, which will enable me to arrive hydrated and healthy (see the dozens of reports on the saefty of airline, non-bottled water) that will allow me to arrive healthy, hydrated and at least somewhat functional at my destination. We in the 21st century - for heaven's sakes we can do better than forching 85-year-old invalids in wheelchairs to strip and hand over their perscription medication and water bottles. Pathetic.

Kudos to MI5 for catching these bastards. Hand nothing to do with eyedrops, by the way.

I apoligize to all for the above typos - it's been a long day at the airport...

I believe I missed the one about the 85 year old invalid in a wheelchair who was forced to strip and hand over her medicines and bottled water. Do you have a link for this report? Or is this just an "example" that might happen?

Perhaps, if air travel takes such a toll on you, it would make sense to ease up a bit on your scheduling - arrive the day before you need to be there so you can recoup, get a flu shot, take extra vitamins, drink plenty of water BEFORE you get on the plane, etc. - until things calm down a bit. We all tend to be rush, rush, rush, but when it comes down to it, the world won't stop spinning if we slow down.

God, I just love these urban myths/chinese whispers etc.. It's always an old/handicapped/defenceless person who's strip searched, denied water etc, treated badly. These stories always gain momentum, I no doubt airport staff (in the present climate) are being a tad over zealous, BUT I would rather they are over zealous any day than suffer the alternative. These terrorists have no consciencious, they will do whatever & use whatever means to attain their goal.On our UK tv station they reported that they were planning to mix 2 Harmless substances(the type we all poss carry in hand luggage)go into loo, mix in a water bottle, & hey ho, no more plane....I've simplified it, but you get the jist. And by the way, I have flown economy many many times both long haul & internal, and yes its not the best experience, but what the gentleman describles, dirty planes, rude FA's etc, I have not encountered. so can only speak as I find. And finally, though I do not agree with some of the comments listed, I defend anyones right to say them etc, thats why the terrorists cannot win.

Friday, March 24, 2006, approximately 4:30 PM. One of the Philadelphia terminals serving US Airways, the TSA checkpoint to where one is directed from the bus that arrives from the international terminal.

A frail, elderly man is seated on the plastic seats just beyond the metal detector. He is struggling to pull the leg of his pants above a large metal brace on his left knee. He can only expose half of the brace before the pants catch on the brace's hinge. His even more frail wife stands beside him; she is nearly in tears. A very large, very irritated, wand-wielding female TSA officer stands over him harshly saying, "Look, I already told you that I got to see that whole thing or you will have to go take those pants off!"

A large official notice nearby warns that any interference with or harassment of TSA personnel is a federal offense punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.

I saw this event; it happened just as I describe. I daresay it is not isolated. It broke my heart and made me wonder how much of this is really necessary. How much will people be asked to endure for the appearance of security? Where does it end?

Take names next time. Don't interfer or say a word, just take names.

There may or may not be good reason for the extent of the searches going on, but there's no excuse for abusive treatment.

So...what about the standard airline advice about not putting anything valuable in checked luggage? And not locking luggage? I imagine the policy of not allowing carry-on luggage could lead to even more theft from baggage. I'm thinking of cameras, for one thing, and laptops for another. Perhaps the airlines need to give serious consideration to baggage security.

<b>Underhill</b>,

did I miss an announcment about carry ons?

AFAIK, laptops and cameras are still allowed, with the exception of of flights into/out of UK (<b>for the moment</b>). I'm very sure this UK policy will change in the near future, so there is no need to worry about your camera/laptop unless you are flying to/from UK in the next couple of weeks.

AA, you're right. This is a temporary security measure in the UK - they want to make sure, in the case not everyone involved was discovered and arrested, that the plan doesn't go into action. That's a reasonable procedure. As they get more facts about the plot, they will know if there is still a risk. If not, then the security measures will lighten up.

I see two scenarios:
1. All involved parties are arrested and nothing happens
2. A few parties were missed and they move ahead with their plan

For me, I'd rather assume the second and be inconvenienced instead of assuming the first and get blown to shreds over the Altantic.

Gutdoc - perhaps one of the other passengers in the terminal could have assisted the ederly man? I'd like to think that if I saw that happening that I'd go over and ask if I could assist him. The older couple would have been grateful (and most likely relieved) and I think that the TSA would have been also - I certainly wouldn't want to be in their shoes at this time. A huge amount of pressure from above to be more diligent and a large number of irritated and disgruntled pax to deal with. And, if the TSA didn't appreciate it and get angrier, the good samaritan could find another agent to step in.

With no carry-ons allowed, we should be able to board the plane in about 3 minutes flat! Even the jumbos.

No one boarding out of rotation, holding the line up by struggling to stow their gear in the overhead bins.

I knew I'd find a bright side to this if I just thought about it long enough.

MvK

&lt;&lt;With no carry-ons allowed, we should be able to board the plane in about 3 minutes flat! Even the jumbos.

No one boarding out of rotation, holding the line up by struggling to stow their gear in the overhead bins.

I knew I'd find a bright side to this if I just thought about it long enough.&gt;&gt;

And ALL that time SAVED getting on you will spend TWICE AS MUCH retrieving your luggage. That's IF you get it at all!

Lydia,

I'm not taking ANY luggage, AT ALL. My first tourist $$$ goes to an entirely new wardrobe upon arrival.

MvK

&lt;&lt;I'm not taking ANY luggage, AT ALL. My first tourist $$$ goes to an entirely new wardrobe upon arrival.

MvK &gt;&gt;

I wish I didn't have soo much trouble finding clothes to fit nicely or I would definitely do the same!

I have always dreamed about taking an empty suitcase and doing all my shopping the day after arriving. Well an empty suitcase except for a nightshirt and one outfit for the next day. Maybe I will do that next time, lol. It might just simplify travelling.

Think before you drink. Yesterday, while waiting to board my return flight to San Antonio I saw a number of people quickly consuming whatever drinks they had with them before boarding the plane. Once airbone, turbulence was such that use of the bathroom was prohibited. The couple behind me must have been in agony because they complained, until we landed, about how bad they had to &quot;go&quot;.

After packing the 20 tubes of chapstick I like to keep on my person I noted it was written on the white board at the Aspen airport that it was allowed on board. Chapstick, lotion and water are the only liquids I carry on board...I missed my chapstick the most!

To gutdoc and the others who were complaining about how seemingly &quot;innocent&quot; passengers are being &quot;harassed,&quot; read this:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/07/17/gun.teddy.bear/

It's sad, but NOBODY -- no matter how &quot;innocent&quot; they appear should be exempt from rigorous screening, IMO.

Now that we have to check almost everything, I now have room to put my parachute in my carryon. Something tells me that when I need it, there will be a fight for it. :p

So what specifically can you use to *carry* on the few items we're allowed?

Do we have to use a clear bag -- OR can we use a *small* purse that's easily searched?

Does this also vary by airport and carrier?