In light of the current security measures of no liquids allowed on board the cabins of planes, I was curious as to how this will affect all those duty free shops at the airports (think liquor and perfume). Not only would I never put a bottle of liquor into my check-in baggage, (for obvious reasons), when you buy from duty free, you have already gone through security and you are already minus your check -in luggage and couldn't pack the stuff in there even if you wanted to.

I was thinking, I'm not going to be able to bring bottles of champagne to Bali when I go in a couple of weeks, nor will I be able to buy them at JFK. Or, does anyone know if there is an exception for duty free liquor? After all, at JFK, you don't even get your duty free purchases until you boarding the plane. Assuming I cannot get it at JFK, does Asia have these rules in effect? We have a stopover in Singapore so perhaps I can buy some champagne there?

I was wondering about this myself, so have been paying particular attention to the news and other message boards.

It seems no alcohol, cologne, makeup, etc. is being sold at airports from or to the US/UK and even a Body Shop at some US airport has closed for now.

However, I think it's possible that flights having nothing to do with the US or UK may not be as stringently restricted. You (and soon, I) may be able to purchase things in connecting airports if my guess is right.

I also note that now US airports are again allowing solid lipstick, not the liquid form, and there have been some relaxing of rules for medications. I think the pressure will be so great from duty free and airport stores that they will have to beef up screening of merchandise before it gets to the stores and then allow on the aircraft. It's just silly the way it is now, IMO, and things hopefully will relax soon. Fingers crossed, anyway!

Does anyone else have any experience with connecting airports?

K.

From all I've read, the regulations are still in process of being formulated. (I'm wondering the same thing, Laurie) I expect the rules will be different today than next week or next month.

They are really going to have to come up with a better way than outright bans. This should have been thought about 10 years ago so maybe some kind of detection system could have already been in place. I don't understand why the government is so reactive instead of proactive. In any case, this is going to kill the sales at duty free and other shops at airports unless they come up with a better idea. I'm hoping the airports in Asia haven't subscribed to this although I have heard that the ban on liquids is in place throughout Europe. I assume I CAN bring on my unopened contact lenses since the solution they sit in is less than the 4oz now allowed. I don't care about shampoo, makeup etc since I always check those in anyway, but I like to have my contacts just in case something happens to my luggage. And it would be nice to have toothpaste on a 26 hour flight. Hopefully Singapore Airlines will supply some in an emanity kit.

that's amenity.

I'm just thinking about how gross it's going to be to not be able to brush my teeth until I get to Bangkok on an L.A.-Tokyo-Singapore-Bangkok flight. I don't get to Singapore until after 1AM and then will sleep at the hotel inside the intransit area...no luggage...since one doesn't clear customs and the luggage will be checked through to Bangkok...which I won't arrive to until around 2:30PM the same day...two days after I've left L.A.... So, although I'll have a carry-on bag, I won't have any toothpaste and the airport stores will be closed. Even if they were open, I'd have to buy a whole tube...using just a little... only to probably throw it out before boarding the flight to Bangkok... AND, now they're talking about possibly banning cell phones and I-Pods.I really want to take my Walkman and my newly bought...weekened before last...Bose headphones that block out the engine noise. The only reason I bought them was to use during flights. Since I can't sleep on planes, I thought they might be the answer...earplugs and the headphones together. The headphones are amazing. I tried them out in the Bose store with the simulated sound of plane engines and it was incredibly quiet.
And...if they ever ban carry-ons...well...then I'll just have to get to Thailand by boat...Smiles. Can you imagine no carry-on and the airline losing your luggage? I'm the queen of having luggage lost by the airlines already. Delta settled with me with enough frequent flyer miles for a free ticket to Europe due to luggage that they had lost for over two weeks.... I always pack enough clothes in my carry-on to get me through an entire trip if it comes to that.
And without carry-ons...how would we get our shopping purchases home...like the huge,circular wicker tray on an elevated base that I bought in Bangkok...thank goodness on the December2005/January 2006 trip.It never would have fit in my suitcase. I tell you...if it's not one thing...it's another...Smiles...Happy Travels!

I don't know what I would do if they banned catty-ons or electronics. I would NEVER put my ipod, cameras or cell phone in the check-in baggage. It would probably break and even if it survived, it could be stolen, especially since you can't lock luggage in the U.S. anymore. I guess I would buy a disposable camera when I got to where I was going and do without the other stuff. It would take quite a bit of enjoyment our of traveling though. I was going to buy a digital SLR but now I'm going to wait, there may be no point. If I were going to England, I would fly into Paris and take the Chunnel to avoid the draconian measures being taken.

Guen, I wanted those Bose headphones too but when I tried them on, they were too big for my little head! I always have this problem with headphones.

That's carry-ons. GEEZE

Guen, just a thought but you may still be able to buy toothpaste at the Tokyo airport and bring it on there. Unless of course Asia has the same rules. I'm still waiting for someone to comment on that.

Ny first stop is Frankfurt and I believe it's banned in all of Europe.

I am not at all up to date on this but I was 'unber the impression' that this only related to either flights from or to the UK or USA ?

The no liquids, with very few exceptions, covers all flights that originate in the United States and from what I've heard, Europe. Don't know about Asia. Flights from England are now allowing some carry-on bags but no liquids or electronics. So far, this is not the case for flights originating in the U.S.

I just took a domestic (US) flight and `while we could buy water etc after going through security it had to be consumed before boarding the plane. Handbags and carry ons were checked again as you board the plane. Don't know if they will be that strict out of the US however. Duty free from Canada was the same thing.

Have you seen already-pasted disposable toothbrushes? My dentist has these in her office restroom and I've appropriated a couple for traveling. The paste is dried onto the smallish bristles so they should be acceptable. Also, drugstores have little things you put on your fingertip which have toothpaste impregnated in them that you can rub around for a quick freshen-up. I forget what they're called. Not the real thing, but it'd be helpful if you have no other choices.

Also, I don't think they've imposed any no cellphone or iPod rules. At least not yet! Also, Bose now has a newer, smaller noise-cancelling headset -- for $50 more! If anyone's tried it, please post what you think. $350 is a bit steep...

Bottom line, I feel the economic pressure will be too great from airport stores and dutyfree to continue bans on passengers taking on purchases made in the terminal for very long. And if you can't get any food or drink to speak of on board, what's a poor traveler to do if you can't take anything on? Good time to start a diet, I guess.

And I agree wholeheartedly that "they" should have been hip to the dangers of liquids for the last ten years after the Asia-US 12-plane threat back then. The mastermind was only caught accidentally when his kitchen blew up in Manila. Who's driving this bus???

K.

kudzu, I was also going to recommend the already pasted disposable tooth brushes. In the next few weks, I expect we'll see a real proliferation of products to take along that aren't banned.

I'm suer there will be lots of pressure to allow sales of products air-side that will be allowed on the plane. (including duty-free)

I tried the newer Bose headphones on and they were too big. The earpiece hung about an inch too low. Maybe I'll be able to find something in Singapore. I want them for flights and the subway.

Okay, toothpaste question is solved. What about the champagne question? Can I buy duty free liquor in Singapore and bring it on the plane? In my carry-on that is?

Laurie, when is your trip? I'm guessing it will take a few weeks to get the new rules sorted out. And I expect the rules will be different in Singapore than in, say, London.

Kathie, we leave August 29. You know how we have to have our champagne! I have a feeling it would be very expensive to buy in Bali.

Of course you have to have your champagne! I'm betting that you'll be able to buy it at Duty Free in SIngapore and take it to Bali with you... Singapore usually has a nice selection of champagnes.

I heard that departing the US duty free was being delivered to passengers on board. I also heard that on board duty free was still being sold departing the US. I can't find confirmation of either of these though.
Sue

Never fear laurieco, you shall have your champagne.
I just read on the American Airlines website that as long as you are not going to or through the UK, duty free items such as perfume and liquor can be purchased as long as they are delivered to you before boarding the flight. I did also hear that liquor was still being sold on board International flights that were not going to or from the UK.
Sue