EricoSmith

I have been through Ohare twice no since this ban and spent considerable time walking around. I have seen exactly one gate where any secondary screening whatsoever was done.

thit_cho

I haven't read all the posts, so forgive me if this answer has been presented before, but I believe the reason that all liquids are barred is because any liquid, whether brought from outside security or near the gates, can be mixed with whatever nefarious product is used to make a liquid explosive.

Dallas

OK, I'm gonna stick my neck out -- if the liquid you could buy in the secure area could be used to mix an explosive -- why couldn't the liquid you are served onboard be used to do the same?

Gavin

The issue with liquids and gels that we like to take on airplanes (water, toothpaste, lip balm etc.) is NOT that they can be used to make explosive. They cannot. The problem is that other materials that look like them or could be made to look like them can be. It is obvious that the authorities are concerned about the possibility of contraband being smuggled into the secure areas of airport and then "purchased" by a terrorist. I predict that once they figure out how to have greater confidence in the security of products for sale in airports they will ease off these restrictions.

janisj

There was a terrific discussion on radio last night - and for the life of me I can't remember if it was BBC4 or our local news/talk station here --

Anyway - the main reason they didn't institute these stringent new rules -- especially about the liquids/gels -- as soon as they plot was discovered was because they didn't want the perps tipped off that they had been discovered. Things were left as normal and the authorities watched the plans unfold and apparently got a ton more intelligence than they would have several months ago.

handmaiden

Yada, Yada, Yada. While everyone is standing at the front door looking at the airplanes, the terrorists are sneaking in the back door and blowing up the London tube, buses, and Spanish trains.

I just saw on the news that the Muslim men arrested for buying 800 pre-paid cell phones in Michigan were plotting to blow up the Mackinac Bridge.

Are we shutting down all the bridges in the U.S. because of this information? NO. NO. NO.

Then why are we instituting these stupid rules about not bringing liquids on planes? This information was known 12 years ago, but we are only now doing anything about it.

Christine

RufusTFirefly

Then I guess they should have banned liquids 12 years ago.

lyb

>>It's like how they started checking shoes after the shoebomber was thwarted. As if that same material couldn't just as easily line a jacket... A little proactive security would be nice for a change. That and the kind of questioning/profiling El Al does.<<

My question is if the next terrorist plot involves hiding bomb components in body cavities...will they next start doing body cavity searches before we board?

I am all for doing EVERYTHING to prevent these terrorists from accomplishing their goals, but we always seem to react after the fact...and of course, god forbid we'd do good old detective work and do some old fashioned profiling? A serial killer is known to be a 6'4" blonde man with receding hairline....so....let's bring in everyone, including the 45 year old black mother of 2 children.

Sorry guys, but I think it's time they start working smarter as opposed to harder...If the terrorists are identified as late 40's, 5'3" auburn hair woman...I'll understand when they check me out thoroughly....I know this is politically incorrect to say...but....

francophile03

Yes, lyb, I thought that it's a good thing so far none of the terrorists decided to stick something inside a body cavity (yet). If that happens I guess we will be: a) subjected to very thorough body search and b) told to travel naked.

kerouac

The "security zone" is an absolute and total farce. I work for an airline, and you wouldn't believe the number of people who have security passes without good reason (although I must admit that they have been trying to reduce the number of passes in recent years). In any case, no liquid in the security zone could ever be considered safe.

sheila

having gone through two UK airports since Thursday, I can advise that today, you get to take nothing but the essentials through security- the list of essentials has been posted elsewhere- in a clear plastic bag.

Thereafter you can take on board anything you buy airside.

But as from tomorrow, you will be allowed to take a carryon, but with no liquids, other than prescription medicine, and formula.

rex

<< ...I haven't read all the posts, so forgive me if this answer has been presented before, but I believe the reason that all liquids are barred is because any liquid, whether brought from outside security or near the gates, can be mixed with whatever nefarious product is used to make a liquid explosive. >>

<< OK, I'm gonna stick my neck out -- if the liquid you could buy in the secure area could be used to mix an explosive -- why couldn't the liquid you are served onboard be used to do the same? >>

Both of these questions seem scientificially naive, but what the heck, not every one has had the benefit of some chemistry education...

It's not that "any old liquid" can be used to create an explosive...

...it's that some very specific liquids - - which might superficially appear to be ordinary water, or cologne, or whatever... represent the threat.

These kinds of chemicals already WERE banned, of course... but it's not like the terrorists were going to declare them. Too easy to disguise them.

smueller

It's clear where all this is headed - a decade from now we'll all be flying naked.

Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised if a, within a decade or so, we have a system where there is a "security fee" for carry-on luggage. If you board with only your passport and medication in a clear zip-lock bag, no fee. If you want to pack your carry-on with snacks, soft drinks, personal hygiene items, electronic gadgets (cameras, IPods, GameBoys, etc.), you will pay an inspection fee. The more you bring, the more that must be inspected, the more you pay.

tudorterrace222

Some of the people posting messages seem to be in near hysterics over their safety from terrorist attacks. Get a grip! In 2001, there were about 29,000 deaths from firearms in the US, the American Heart Association estimates that somewhere between 37-40,000 people will die each year from second-hand cigarette smoking, and as for people dying each year from drunk driving I'm sure that this number dwarfs the other two stats. Yet people are panicky about bringing chapstick on board a flight! Making cigarettes, firearms, and alcohol would save countless more lives than banning liquids and gels acquired in a airport secure area.

rex

It's a meaningless comparison. None of these are responsible for the deaths of every member of a family on vacation, simultaneously.

And countless other differences - - so many as to be hardly worthy of a reply.

FauxSteMarie

Rex is absolutely correct.

And, the people making the rules, after all, trying to prevent such incidents.

So, the long and the short of it is that this is all understandable.

The hysteria from posters is not.

montysc

I wonder how much better it would be to move the security screening to the actual gate - They are almost doing that now in the UK. But think - each gate could have the metal & xray detection equipment as you board. This would be much easier if they keep carryon to a minimum like they are now - it might even make the process much faster.

sera

Saw a great interview earlier this evening with the travel guy (wish I could remember his name) who's often on the Today show. He pointed out the absurdity of most of these restrictions--we take off our shoes when x-ray equipment can't pick up plastic explosives in them, for example--and agreed with the interviewer that this was "security theater."

starrsville

Peter Greenberg?

sera

Starrsville: Yup, Peter Greenberg. Looked like he's lost some weight maybe. Anyhoo, talked about carryon restrictions so calmly and logically. What a departure from all "terror in the skies!" all the time.