I try to give TSA a break. Last time I flew through Boston - got all the way through check in and into the security line in front of me. I am continually surrounded by people who have never ever flown and apparently live under a rock and pay zero attention to carry on rules. The couple in front of me had a back pack FULL of full size toiletries. Not just a bottle or two. I watched them pull out 18 bottles of shampoo, conditioner, Aqua-net hairpray - you name it - it was in there. The TSA guy couldn't have been nice or more polite. The rest of us in line, however, were ready to string them up for holding up the line.

Yes, I realize this has little to do with the OP's post, but is just a little anecdote I had no where else to share.

>> I look forward to the odd pat down - the closest to excitement I get these days! <<

You really should get out more ;-)

Yep, they grabbed me last week at LHR, enroute home, until I pointed out that the shoulder basket thing I was carrying along with my camera bag belonged to my wife, who was just ahead of me and she had nothing with her. Then the security lady laughed about my being the pack mule and waved me on.

We'd read that it was one item per person before we left, so on the way out, I jammed the camera bag and another (for the emergency change and toiletries I checked later because I didn't care about them on the return) into a cloth bag. lol Still took two things, but since they were in one "shell", the same amount of stuff was ok. Go figure.

I argue with the "gestapo" TSA agents. Sorry, but I have decided that I am not willing to give up my freedoms to hired thugs. (History has shown that's a losing plan, see Hitler)

So, when the agent plays "let's be a jerk" I complain. I started this after watching an agent abuse a Senior Citizen while his coworkers just watched and shrugged when other passengers pointed out the problem.

I not only complain to the immediate supervisor, I get the agents ID and write the airport, the TSA and my elected officals!

You are all so good to share your experience with us less experienced world travlers. I never would have thought to check heathrow's site for carry on info. I had wrongfully assume TSA/airport rules were the same world wide. This info saved us from a major headache. Thanks all!

>The couple in front of me had a back pack FULL of full size toiletries. ....The rest of us in line, however, were ready to string them up for holding up the line.

That is why they want us to put small bottles into a 1 qt baggie.

>when the agent plays "let's be a jerk" I complain. I started this after watching an agent abuse a Senior Citizen while his coworkers just watched and shrugged when other passengers pointed out the problem.

I not only complain to the immediate supervisor, I get the agents ID and write the airport, the TSA and my elected officals!<

As well you should. There are always some minor officials who abuse those they are supposed to serve, and they should be reported.

Hey, Ted.

Somehow, I find your friend's story somewhat in the Mark Twain mode - what was called a "tall tale"; not necessarily untrue, but perhaps enhanced a bit.

Yes, come on, we all change our stories a little bit to make them more interesting. the real version wouldn't be half so entertaining an anecdote.

My translation:
they said "you are not going any further with two bags dearie". I nearly slugged her. She says "This is London and you can only take one bag."

Official: sorry, you can't go through here with two bags. This is London and you are only allowed two bags.
Traveller: kicks up fuss over the rule.

In any case, is 'I nearly slugged her' - wanting to hit someone - a reasonable response to someone informing you of the carry-on rules? Even if they did say 'dearie', which sounds unlikely to me, as only the Cockneys in 'Mary Poppins' use that word. It's possible she was called 'dear' but that is not an offensive thing to say to someone here.

may I also add that 1) stroller doesn't count for a carry-on, 2) both a parent and a baby is allowed one piece each, and 3) 1 piece rule does not seem to apply duty-free shopping after the security.

Anyway, that's why we UK Fodorites warn on numerous occasions about the 1 piece rule.

though I think alot of this security is a joke and makes no difference in the big picture...would any of us want to have their jobs and deal with tired travelers? rushed travelers? Travelers who don't think rules apply to them? angry travelers?

I wouldn't want their job !!! so, even though they can be a real pain, I try to do my best to just go through the line quickly and with a smile. Because my goal -- get on the plane and on to my destination!

Well I really posted her story as a warning that "1 means 1" at LHR.

But what a firestorm I touched off! I shall have to tell my colleague when she gets back... in May.

An earlier respondent seems to think the new rules have something to do with control over liquids on flights. I am not aware of any connection between the 2 issues, which are distinct.

I think my colleague's comment about carrying "a 100 pound bag" was just literary licence -- anyway, let us assume it was hyperbole. I know she couldn't lift 100 pounds....

Important to note that the controls were applied when she was transiting from one flight to another -- thus inside a secure zone. This diminishes the "security" argument.

I kinda understand her overall frustration: she had embarked from another EU airport and, if I understand the new rules, they are EU-mandated, so why a difference between countries?

Footnote: My friend and I flew together from Ottawa (Ontario) to Vancouver in mid-month, whence she flew to Paris, then took a weird and involuntary routing Paris-London-Frankfurt-Bangkok-Australia. From Australia (Sydney and Gold Coast) she flies to Chile, then back to Canada.

(I think I may have left out a country, though...)

So: Travelling for 5 weeks, with a laptop and classified government documents that she cannot "check", she might well have difficulty complying with the 1 article limit.....

< "-- classified government documents that she cannot "check">

Well, there are classified documents, and classified documents, but it surprises me that one would be carrying really sensitive material on one's person. I used to do this in the States, with a special permit, but never out of the country, and never on a foreign carrier. If overseas, they had to be sent by other means than sticking them in my carryon.

Perhaps things have changed, or perhaps some organizations have different rules.

<<< Important to note that the controls were applied when she was transiting from one flight to another -- thus inside a secure zone. This diminishes the "security" argument. >>>

But she was in an area where people from all over the world have arrived - some from airports where security checking isn't as good.

But the main point about security is that you have it in depth rather than a one off event so that if it's missed at one point, it's found at the next

>An earlier respondent seems to think the new rules have something to do with control over liquids on flights. I am not aware of any connection between the 2 issues, which are distinct<

The carry-on restrictions are a direct result of the incident reported in the following story:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4778931.stm

There is an old saying, "When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

And here is another story with more specific details of the liquid bomb plot last summer:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...8/10/uplot.xml

From my own entry and exit through LHR just las week this "colleague's tale" seems absurd and perhaps nothing more than an attempt, perhaps out opf boredom, for some attention.

I'm suprised that more people don't mention the fact that you aren't required to remove your shoes when you go through LHR Security as we seem to be doing at airport security points in the US.

Just after 11th August you did have to remove your shoes at Heathrow

"Well, there are classified documents, and classified documents, but it surprises me that one would be carrying really sensitive material on one's person."

Not too long ago, it was in the news that Ms. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, was able to circumvent carryon rules and bring an extra carryon holding the manuscript for her latest (last?) HP novel. What surprised me most was not that she was able to get the rules bent, but that she was still flying commercial...there are people out there much less wealthy than Ms. Rowling who would have flown NetJet or some other type of private aircraft.

I wonder if Ms. Rowling purchased a separate seat for the MS; some artists actually do so for their instruments.