I'm getting CNN syndrome again! Right after 911, I was strangely fascinated by the reporting... watching CNN again... ugh... as you can imagine, tons and tons of travel reports.

I do have a question though.. if you had a bag checked, and had all of your "80.00" makeup that you were going to have to throw away.. would you not just check this too? Lady interviewed on CNN.. she is aggraved to having to throw away her 80.00 blush???????/ I need to stop watching this..

<i>Stellarosa is that really you? Welcome back to Fodors!</i>

Tony is a serial lurker here.

Neil_Oz and Robes,

The alleged terrorists short-term goal was to blow-up some airplanes and kill thousands of people. That battle they indeed lost.

Their long-term goal is to destroy or drastically alter our way of life, in that they continue to be successful.

MvK

&quot;that battle they indeed lost&quot;

uh, nope, Mark-wouldn't be too sure about that. Just like last year, with the London bombings, there were follow-on attempts-with as many as 50 KNOWN suspects already involved in a plot to commit a crime so heinous, that it would make Bojinka look quite small in comparison, WE DON'T KNOW IF THE PLOT IS STILL CONTINUING, BECAUSE THE WORLD INTELLIGENCE SERVICES DO NOT HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION CONNECTED TO THE PLOT-THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

In fact, I would say that there are still elements in waiting out there, waiting until the theat levels drop, so that they may carry out the original criminal plan. That's why the Pakistanis are key here, it is they alone, who have allowed us to know what we know about this second coming of a more terrifying 9/11.

And remember, there are very few, if any, aviation security counter-measures that can thwart suicide bombers.

It's a very unsettling situation for the intelligence community, to say the least.

The only Americans whose lives have been drastically altered are those who've served in the subsequent wars, and their families.

Not being allowed to carry my paperback and almonds onboard is what I'd call a minor inconvenience.

Firstly I'm glad no one was killed or injured. Secondly congrats to Brit security. Thirdly I'll be setting up a call centre for passengers who do not want to fly and wish to donate their tickets. Please note First Class and Business class passengers are particularly welcome to register

At this time, there is no prohibition about bringing on a book-IF you are flying out of the US.

And let me say this again: If it weren't for the Pakistanis, there would BE no investigation by the British-the Pakistanis are continuing to provide the most valuable information that will aid the intelligence services so that law enforcement can do THEIR job, and attempt to pick up all conspirators and masterminds of this dastardly plot. It is they who deserve our thanks.

But it is WAY too soon to celebrate.

The above post is an excellent observation. Please note that it is a fanatical teeny of Muslims involved in these things. Most Muslims, including all the ones I know in the US, want the same things the rest of us want. They may dress differently, but as a Jew that does not bother me. I have some relatives who are Orthodox Jews and dress differently too. Having said that 99.9999% of Muslims--including most of the Muslims in Pakistan--want to live a peaceful life and want a better life for their children. So, please do not jump on all Muslims. Any religion taken to a fanatical extreme is nuts in my opinion--whether the adherts are Christians, Jews, Muslims or worship trees.

stokebailey:
The reason the banned liquids and gels are more dangerous in the cabin is because dangerous chemicals can be substituted for the original contents and mixed on-board to create a bomb. If the liquids are in your checked baggage, the terrorist would not have access to them.

&quot;[The terrorists'] long-term goal is to destroy or drastically alter our way of life, in that they continue to be successful.&quot;

Funny - I've never seen any placards being waved at demonstrations reading &quot;inconvenience the infidel!&quot; The verb is invariably &quot;kill.&quot;

I suppose it is irreverent to laugh at a time like this, but...
&quot;dastardly plot&quot;? This thread is beginning to sound like a James Bond movie.

Friends and I are flying to Nairobi for a safari next month. No way are we canceling this trip! We are flying LAX-LHR-NBO.

well, just what wording would you prefer, 5alive, that would meet your more exacting standards? this &quot;meanie&quot; plot? would that be better? It IS a dastardly plot, and as for James Bond, would that it WERE a movie, and not an ongoing race against time to find the masterminds and co-conspirators-because make no mistake, time is of the essence here- there's no guarantee that part of another still active cell could be planning criminal acts right now against other American civil aviation interests in other parts of the world. The threat to American aviation is clearly coming from overseas.

So forgive me if I fail to see the humor in the description of this plot-because words do not adequately capture the undeniable horror of the plan.

ttt

Okay, I am going to try and &quot;lighten up&quot; this thread. I have to fly back and forth to London 6 times in the next two weeks for work (decided that Rome was too hot this month to want to work those flights?)I want some sympathy for ME not being able to have my carryon/purse with me to &quot;touch up&quot; after working a long flight. To my future passengers-please accept my apologies for how bad I will look upon landing and yes, as always I will be more than happy to chat in the back galley because you have nothing to keep you occupied.Okay, now back to something more serious.................

Girlspytravel,

I am well aware of the horror of the plan, and it gives me chills too. Still, writing in a melodramatic fashion on this board is going to get you a little teasing.

Nuances of words can be fun, and that's all I intended. At least Robespierre didn't spray you with his caustic wit!

Dutyfree, I salute you! I hadn't thought what it would be like for the flight attendants. Please check in later and tell us how it's going for you. We've gotta be kind to one another these days.

Soldier On!

All of the guys and their families should be returned to Pakistan and let them stone them. Here is the full list of suspects as published by Britain's central bank:

1) ALI, Abdula, Ahmed
Age: 25
Date of birth: October 10, 1980
Address: London

2) ALI, Cossor
Age: 23
Date of birth: December 4, 1982
Address: London

3) ALI, Shazad, Khuram
Age: 27
Date of birth: June 11, 1979
Address: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, southern England

4) HUSSAIN, Nabeel
Age: 22
Date of birth: March 10, 1984
Address: London

5) HUSSAIN, Tanvir
Age: 25
Date of birth: February 21, 1981
Address: London

6) HUSSAIN, Umair
Age: 24
Date of birth: October 9, 1981
Address: London

7) ISLAM, Umar
Age: 28
Date of birth: April 23, 1978
Address: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

8) KAYANI, Waseem
Age: 29
Date of birth: April 28, 1977
Address: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

9) KHAN, Assan, Abdullah
Age: 21
Date of birth: October 24, 1984
Address: London

10) KHAN, Waheed, Arafat
Age: 25
Date of birth: May 18, 1981
Address: London

11) KHATIB, Osman, Adam
Age: 19
Date of birth: December 7, 1986
Address: London

12) PATEL, Abdul, Muneem
Age: 17
Date of birth: April 17, 1989
Address: London

13) RAUF, Tayib
Age: 22
Date of birth: April 26, 1984
Address: Birmingham, central England

14) SADDIQUE, Muhammed, Usman
Age: 24
Date of birth: April 23, 1982
Address: London

15) SARWAR, Assad
Age: 26
Date of birth: May 24, 1980
Address: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

16) SAVANT, Ibrahim
Age: 25
Date of birth: December 19, 1980
Address: London

17) TARIQ, Amin, Asmin
Age: 23
Date of birth: June 7, 1983
Address: London

18) UDDIN, Shamin, Mohammed
Age: 35
Date of birth: November 22, 1970
Address: London

19) ZAMAN, Waheed
Age: 22
Date of birth: May 27, 1984
Address: London

Does anyone remember the countless number of Moslem men held without charge by British authorities ? Does anyone remember specifically the case of the young moslem men (one of whom was 'accidentaly' shot) recently arrested under great publicity then released because it turned out they were innocent ? Does anyone remember the poor, innocent Brazilian man murdered by British police (7 bullets in the head) for no other reason than he happened to fit a vague description ? And does anybody remember the cowardly and shameful lies the police used to cover their errors ? Does anybody remember the deployment of tanks to Heathrow for no obvious reason other than Bliar was suffering politically ?

The most dangerous religious fanatic in the world today in George Bush, and if he and his grovelling lapdog Bliar were to state that night follows day I would be looking out of my window for constant 24 hour sunshine.

Once those in custody have been convicted and it shows that a major terrorist plot was indeed foiled, I'll pat the British authorities on the back. Until that point, pardon me for being cynical.
And if there is anybody, ANYBODY out there who still has undying faith in 'the leaders of the free world', well, I'm starting up my own religion so please send me 20 bucks and you can join....