The extra tight security is for US-bound flights from CDG.
When changing planes in CDG for another European destination, even water bottles were OK. I bought it at a cafe just outside security after changing terminals and carried on the plane with me. I tried to hand it to the security person at the x-ray machine and was just told to place it on the belt.

Whew! Panic mode is now off!

I am taking extra measures just in case as I was going to before the liquid ban was lifted (i.e. pack extras in checked luggage). Just trying to adhere to the requests of the travel gods rather than risk it.

All of this is very helpful. I will be flying to the States with Air France via Terminal 2E soon with a tight connection time. Is it safe to assume that Air France will delay flights so that all passengers can board knowing how slow the security checks take nowadays? Or should I plan on missing my flight? Maybe it can be either scenario depending on the flight?

We just did something in early September. This was before the TSA relaxed its restrictions, but in any case, that shouldn't affect you. I can't speak to what the actual policies are, but as for what actually happened with us, perhaps our story will give you some hope.

We had an hour to make a connection in CDG. We were arriving from NY to CDG in terminal 2E and had a flight departing one hour later to a destination within France from 2F. I read all sorts of things on this board that this would be a very hard connection to make. We did not check ANY luggage - packed two weeks' worth of stuff in carry ons (sent liquids ahead) but we had to go through immigration. Additionally, when we landed, there was no jetway, so we had to wait til the bus filled and then were driven to the terminal. I knew this might be a possibility and this worried me because I'd rather run myself than be at the mercy of a slow bus.

The bus deposited us at 2E and there were long lines of people waiting to go through immigration. We panicked. We decided to go straight to 2F (we took the bus - it was very quick), where there (luckily) happened to be someone sitting at passport control, rather bored because no international flights were arriving at that terminal. So we were through immigration in less than 5 minutes. And then we just strolled to our gate. We ended up having about 1/2 an hour to spare!

While we waited at the terminal, I bought a bottle of water and went to throw it out when we were going through security for our inter-france flight - the security agent laughed and told me they don't care about that in France, only in America, and let me on with the bottle.

For our return flight, we stopped in London and had to go through security twice (we checked our luggage for the return flight). They were very strict that you have only one carry on bag and the security lines took forever and it was hot and there was no air conditioning and it was generally a zoo. That was a flight from London to NY though, so I assume the security is extra tight there.

As a previous poster says, it makes no difference with respect to how quickly you will go through security, whether you have carry-on luggage or not, since you will have to wait in line with everyone.

Also, no one opened my bags to look through them for any of our flights (we also flew from Paris to Prague and Prague to Munich). Hope that helps!

>>rkkwan,
You are wrong about the security. I returned via CDG just a few days ago. The extra security is both at the inital screening for US bound flights and at the secondary screening at the gate.
At the initial screening, all carry-ons and jackets go thru the x-ray machine. EVERYONE then undergoes a complete pat-down. This is then followed by a thorough search of all carry-on items. This is for EVERYONE.<<

Sunday we flew CDG to SFO. What Niblette posted is accurate - except our carry-on was not searched. It was also not searched going from SFO to CDG. The AF flight leaves from 2E, and you do not board the plane on a jetway - they bus you to the plane. We got to CDG 3 hours early (7AM) and got through the check-in/security in 30 mins.

>>You CANNOT carry liquids thru beyond this point. I flew just after the TSA changed their rules on travel-sized items. AF is more strict and did not follow TSA guidelines. There are trash bins at the search area to dispose of the banned items.<<

We asked the AF security person where we could throw-away our hand lotion. He looked at it & said it was less than 3 oz, so it was permissible to take it on the plane.


>>There is second security check at the gate after the boarding pass has been collected. They randomly searched and patted down various passengers. On my flight, it appeared to be every other person.<<

I don't remember seeing a large number of people going through a second search. Neither my wife & I were searched again.

I think you have a very slim chance of making a 45 min connection. Our flight departed 1 hour late. Obviously, the 10 min bus ride to the plane consumes time, but this time could be factored into the departure time.

Stu Dudley

It is interesting to me how security measures still vary from airport to airport.

I flew back to the UD from heathrow two days ago.

We went through the usual security initial screening; everyone was certainly NOT being patted down there.

Upon arrival at the gate/jetway the people who underwent a secondary screening were chosen at random and not everyone went through that process.

Makes one wonder just how effective it really is if some planes are dispatched to the US filled with travelers who have not all gone through the so-called 'rigorous' screening.

Hello, we have flown out of CDG before. The last time was spring of this year and there were people being searched randomly after their boarding pass was checked. I do not know if some airlines require more random searches than others. We flew Air France. My husband was pulled out of line and the carryon baggage was searched thoroughly. Last year again we flew with Air France and that time again he was randomly selected for searching. Prior to that-2002-I was pulled out of line. I don't know if it is coincidental that we are selected more often than not for being searched, but I think it seems worse nowadays from what others report. If you are not selected good for you because this can make you late for your flight. However, they seem to wait for the stragglers to board.

About the liquid restrictions for US bound flights, it's good to know that they allow less than 3 oz.

We have a 55 minute connection and that would be from 2D to 2E. I checked the airport map and the terminals are diagonally across from each other. We did a connection before and it was a mad dash. Luckily our plane was delayed. This time the AF agent said we should take the shuttle bus which she claims runs every 5 minutes. I don't know if to trust this information as in theory that's probably true. In reality I doubt it. In any case I feel we will miss our flight, however, they say there is one more flight going to our destination except we need to connect once again in the States. If this occurs I have a feeling that our checked luggage will go astray. But we shall hope for the best.

Hi

I have a question for travelamb. I have a similar connection coming up in a few weeks and I'm concerned with my amount of time allowed. How did you find the transfer bus and leave the terminal without going through passport control and security? I have flown into CDG many times but it was always a direct flight to Paris. Thanks

I just flew out of CDG on Monday morning. Everything that all the others have said about "intense security" is absolutely correct. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:20. The plane actual started moving at 12:30. Like others have said, along the jetway (to a plane that wasn't there, but instead a shuttle bus!) we were examined 4 different times, including backpacks and purses being completely searched, and each person was frisked. NO LIQUIDS or GELS of any size were allowed. I felt really sorry for the folks who had connecting flights awaiting them. When you leave 2 hours late it's very likey you will have missed your connection.

The most important thing I learned was just how important it is to arrive at least 3 hours early for your flight. EVERY flight is overbooked if possible. We arrived 2 hours early and were put on standby status. It just so happened that everyone showed up for the flight, so 18 of us were on standby. Fortunately my husband and I made the final call, but our traveling companions did not. I can't begin to tell you their nightmare! I'll NEVER fly through CDG again, even if it means I have to stop going to Europe.

My husband isn't a fan of flying through CDG especially after being searched on two occasions while trying to board the plane. He didn't want to fly through CDG again on our upcoming trip. Unfortunately or fortunately Air France had good fares compared to Lufthansa which we prefer better. I think this trip may be our last out of CDG. It's just too stressful. I did mention to an Air France phone agent just how frustrated passengers are becoming due to their short connection times and then the setbacks in taxing to the terminal plus the security checks. Yes, yes, she promised to bring this issue up in their next business meeting. I doubt it and even if she did I doubt that AF will change things on their end.

I think AF has changed their policy to be in line with TSA. The message below was posted on the AF web page on 10/4/2006.

New security measures to USA and Tel Aviv
On flights to USA and Tel Aviv, following restrictions apply until 15th November 2006:


-liquid, gels, and aerosols are permitted in containers of 100ml maximum and must be contained in a clear transparent closed and of 1 liter capacity
-food for babies are permitted if reasonable quantity and if infant is also travelling
-medication and specific food are permitted if accompagnied by a medical prescription with the name of passenger on it
-at the security screening control, passenger is asked to show : cabin bags, gels, aerosols and permitted liquids, laptops, and electronic equipment
-coats and jackets must be removed
-purchase of items in store situated in airport zone not accessible to public is permitted if immediat taken by passenger or delivered near the aircraft.

>>I just flew out of CDG on Monday morning. Everything that all the others have said about "intense security" is absolutely correct. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:20. The plane actual started moving at 12:30. Like others have said, along the jetway (to a plane that wasn't there, but instead a shuttle bus!) we were examined 4 different times, including backpacks and purses being completely searched, and each person was frisked. NO LIQUIDS or GELS of any size were allowed. <<

We flew out of CDG to SFO the day before you did. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:20 also.

1. Our bodies were searched only once.
2. Our bag was never searched or opened
3. We told the security agent that we had a tube of gel (hand lotion) & we wanted to find out where the trash can was so we could toss it. He looked at it & said 3 OZ was permissible & allowed us to have the gel
4. We had to remove our shoes

Seems like they might be selective as to who they search multiple times.

Stu Dudley

I hate to assume this but I personally believe that if you are a minority race (which we are) you are scrutinized more and hence searched more than once.

&quot;<i>I personally believe that if you are a minority race . . . you are scrutinized more and hence searched more than once.</i>&quot; I suppose it is natural to assume that since you have been scrutinized and are a minority.

But I have been searched and questioned multiple times as well - and I am a very small, very white, middle aged woman. So it isn't always as one might think . . . . .

The intense security must be on flights back into the USA only. On Monday we were searched and searched and searched! My &quot;less than 3 oz&quot; hand sanitizer gel didn't make the cut.

Friends who failed to make the standby status were routed through Toronto. They had little security and saw people taking on bottles of water, other drinks, and bottles of wine.

Go figure!

&gt;&gt;Friends who failed to make the standby status were routed through Toronto. They had little security and saw people taking on bottles of water, other drinks, and bottles of wine.&lt;&lt;

If they purchased the water, drinks, &amp; wine from one of the vendors within the secured area, it's permissible to take it on the plane. Like I stated two times already, we flew to San Francisco, USA and our hand lotion was inspected &amp; &quot;allowed&quot;. Our bag was not searched &amp; we were &quot;frisked&quot; only once.

The security force does not know if the destination for the passengers is San Francisco, LA, Toronto, or anyplace else that has departures at about the same time.

Stu Dudley

stone1 -
hopefully you haven't already left. When we got off the bus that took us from the plane to the terminal, we followed everyone into the arrival area. At that point, there was a choice to stand in a a line that led to passport control, or to go down a staircase to make a transfer. Behind us, basically in the same direction we came from, was a door that led outside to the shuttle bus that took us to 2F. An airport employee directed us to that and we were worried that we were somehow bypassing passport control but when we got to 2F there was another opportunity and no line. I can't guarantee that the airport intends this alternative, the whole place seems completely haphazard, but it worked for us when everyone was telling us there was no way we could do it. I hope that helps. Good luck!