San Jose Airport update
 

We were told to be at the airport 3 hours before take off because of the new security issues, but as of yesterday there were no delays to speak of (unless you're Joan Rivers :-) ) There is a pat down just before you get on the plane, and you cannot take any kind of powder on your carry on. Right now they are considering ground coffee to be "powder", so if you buy it at the airport, the store has to take it to the gate for you.

That's good to know. Thank you, Shooie.

Other than the pat-down and the coffee thing, this doesn't sound so much different than what they already do. They have always set up tables on the jet bridge and you have to stop there for a hand search of anything you carry on board. Unless that search is more thorough now?

And they always take my bottled water!

The coffee thing is weird, but as long as they let you get it at the gate no harm. But, wonder if you stock up at the grocery store and bring in, would they just take away from you? Or make you check it?

vg - they always take my water too. :(

Thanks for the update!

Seems to me the bottom line is that we'll have to check luggage more than many of us do now. So much for getting out of the airport in a hurry! :)

tully, I'm glad to know that it's not personal - that I have a suspicious look or something!

They took my cuticle scissors, too... it took us almost an hour to get through the initial security, so maybe that's why they're saying more time?

Coffee is always cheaper at the supermarket than in those airport shops, but it sounds like if you bring it to the airport, you have to put it in your checked luggage.

I assume if the coffee is whole bean, that's OK since it's not "powder"? I would like to bring some whole bean back with me next time.

Whole bean coffee is not a problem.

Just returned and yes the Pat down and tables enroute to plane are in full use as usual. It does take along time there so I would say 2 1/2 hours at least on weekend. Also I would comment in that I had ground coffee in carry on and while I heard some people talking about the issue (fellow passengers) I had no problem...the people checking the bags are airport employees who honestly unzip the case and proceed to look at each other and talk while feeling a couple of places and then you zip it up and move on...I don't see this as helping security but not my call....so I guess I got lucky and I would not have been happy to "donate" my coffee back to the airport personel.

They actually took my daughter's scotch tape at the security checkpoint. Scotch tape! I would love to know what they thought she could do with it.

Monica - not positive but I think it's a glue "substance" thing.