JYA- I think your chances of being able to bring a laptop on board on that date are slim to none, but you'll just have to keep monitoring the news, the UK Dept. of Transport's website, and your airline's website

We fly tomorrow (8/11) Newark to Gatwick return on (8/26) on Continental (hopefully). We won't cancel and refuse to let this change our plans or love of travel.

Flew internationally 8 days after 9/11 and it was a very relaxing flight with so much room on the plane!

When do you think these heightened baggage restrictions will end? I'm flying to London from LAX on 8/21 . . . and what am I going to do for 10 hours (besides sleep)?

I wouldn't mind if laptops were banned from the cabin forever (even though I carry one).

There's enough room inside most of them to easily secrete enough explosives to bring down an airliner. The ones that have a compartment for a spare battery make it even easier, because the screeners don't know about them, and if Windows boots up (on the main battery), they let it on board.

"and what am I going to do for 10 hours (besides sleep)?"

Mile High Club? ;)

Sorry, my silly side got the better of me for a moment.

Seriously though, I'll be flying Brussels-Heathrow-Singapore in a couple of weeks (August 24) and am also wondering it will be like to sit on a plane for 14 hours without books or magazines.
Oh well.

I'm thinking in terms of mental chess games, mathematical puzzles (maybe read a few before you board the plane), hashing out entire novel plots, etc. Too bad we won't be allowed even pens. Wonder how people will fill out their landing cards.

I really like the fact that so many of you Fodorites are keeping a good, positive attitude and refusing to change your plans. 50 or so murderous Islamic psychopaths are having a very bad day today and the only thing that would make them feel better is if their foiled plots terrified Westerners into cowering in fear.

I sure do hope that the Brits have some bad ass interrogators at the ready to work these SOBs over. This could end up being a very good bust. Congrats go out to the Brits from this Yank.

How many of the missing Egyptians students are still at large in this country?

8..2 turned themseves in in NJ..

Hnl - for 10 hours? I am impressed - and a little doubtful

ick, NJ? Not good, I didn't know where they turned themselves in at..for a Montana student to end up in NJ..not boding good for Newark flights. I've been at the Newark airport...so many people and so much easier to hit an i'tnl flight. Hope they get them soon.

Tara

My mother adn I are booked JFK to LHR via CDG on 9/7. Then back to CDG for a week on 9/10. I am seriously considering cancelling the London part of the trip and just spending it in Paris. I think with all of the increased security and delays, it may just be simpler to go to one place and stay put.

It is 4 weeks away so we have time but I am wondering what my fellow Fodorites would do in this situation? London was just a bonus and not really the most important part of the trip. On the other hand, it would be nice to see..............

It is so sad that it has all come to this. What is wrong with people?

Dejais
Suggest that you look up the flight you are taking and see if it took off somewhat on time today, takes off on time tomorrow, Sat etc.

Out of interest I looked at the flights in and out of my airport to LHR today. The flight out took off 3 minutes late and the first flight in took off about 1 hour 20 mins late. That's not bad at all

>>>> They have special styrofoam containers just for that purpose.

Budman - where do you get these? We are having a case of wine shipped to us from Provence when we are in Paris in September. It's wine we can’t get in the US and to send it to us in Paris is free. We were originally planning on getting a 6 bottle carry-on and then holding 3 in another hand bag (figured we drink 3 whilst in Paris). But if we can't bring them on the plane guess they have go to go under.

Heading Boston - Edinburgh on 8/23 and will not change my plans. I agree with many others; I refuse to change my travel plans for terrorism.

However, my once-insane process of packing will be doubly insane! W

hile I'm very thankful that the authorities are doing everything they can think of to protect the passengers, I will be a wee bit cranky without my book, iPod and bottle of water, should the restritions still be in place by then.

The TSA website says that laptops, cell phones, & other electronic items are still allowed on flights.

There's no mention of carry on luggage ban. I think that only applies to flights coming from London.

"Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."
Sir Winston Churchill

And it seems that most here are following that quote. Also, my congratulations to the British authorities for a job well done.

Heading out of JFK on Sat. a.m. to the Carib. As everyone has already said, DO NOT LET THEM WIN!! Even though things here in NYC have never been the same after 9/11, we bucked-up and moved on (never forgeting, of course)and have a stronger resolve now than ever! We absolutely CANNOT live in fear and run when they rear their ugly heads somehow! I plan on getting on that plane without a moment's hesitation. Sorry for the ramble... all of this makes me so extremely angry...

Flights into and out of the UK will not allow any carryons, this is the list from Continental's site and applies to all flights into and out of the UK

For all flights departing from the United Kingdom

Continental Airlines advises passengers that NO items of hand baggage can be carried on board any aircraft departing any UK airport. The UK Government has advised that this instruction will apply to all airlines operating from UK airports.

Passengers may only take through the airport security search point, the following items in a single (ideally transparent) plastic bag:

Travel documents essential for the journey (eg passports, tickets and visas)

Pocket sized wallets and pocked sized purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards and identity cards). Handbags are not permitted.

Prescribed medicines essential for the duration of the flight, except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.

Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.

Contact lenses, without bottles of solution

For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk and sanitary items essential for the flight.

Keys (but no electrical key fobs).

Every other item must be carried in customer’s checked luggage.

No electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, ipods, remote controls etc can be carried in the cabin and must be checked as baggage.

Passengers are advised to check-in as normal but to expect delays at all UK airports.

Continental Airlines regrets any inconvenience caused.

Continental Airlines will not accept for travel any customers not complying with this Government instruction.

GOING!

For the first time ever I WAS going to try a two weeker in Europe with a carry-on. I only have a 65 min connection in Paris (to Zagreb) and I am convinced my luggage won't make it.

I will still carry on a few clothing items and if luggage doesn't make it I will only have to buy a few toiletry items when I got to Croatia. I have fun with that anyhow.