Washington DC in February - almost there
 

Hi, me again from Wasshington in Feb:
The trip's getting closer, and in the U.K., security issues are big news at the moment: Air marshalls on 'planes, no queuing for toilets on inbound flights to the U.S.A., and the recent flight inbound to the U.K. from Dulles (the same Virgin one that we'll be flying home on), where a passenger was found carrying bullets in his pocket when he disembarked at Heathrow!
Have you heard about all this, and what restrictions can I expect? (e.g. in N.Y., you can't go up the Statue of Liberty anymore)
Would hate to plan a visit to the Capitol to find that tours have been stopped because of tightened security. Hope you can all help, once again? Thanks.

I'm assuming you are not a US citizen, and therefore do not have a Congressional representative to arrange a Capitol tour for you, so you will need to pick up tickets at 9:00 on the day of your visit from the kiosk on the Capitol grounds.

For details, see the website of the Architect of the Capitol, the office responsible for the building and grounds:

http://www.aoc.gov/visit/visit_overview.htm

Well, you can't tour the White House, but the Capitol is still open for tours. Museums are all open and still free, and other things are open as they have been. You may have your bag searched or have to go through metal detectors, but it shouldn't be a big deal.

From a post I saw on the Europe board last week, someone took those flights and had no problems, maybe a little delay on one end. Security will likely take longer than normal, just plan for that.

I fly all the time out of Reagan airport, and we still can't go to the bathroom for the first 1/2 hour of the flight! No big deal. We just make sure we go before getting on the plane.

Welcome to DC!

Karen

All the places you plan to visit, such as the US Capitol, have web sites that are the best source of current information on restrictions, tickets, and other policies.

hi, I live in DC area and haven't heard or noticed any new security restrictions lately. Of course, I don't do tourist things that much, but I do go to a museum once a month or so. They have security checks, but have for a long time (handbags, etc). The other things have been around a long time, I guess (no White HOuse tours).

Also, the no queuing for toilet lines on planes is nothing new to me, I've been on planes where they've said that for a long time now, I think. One thing you may or may not be aware of, you are not allowed out of your seat within a half hour of takeoff or landing from DC. This isn't new, either, and isn't that big a problem as you shouldn't be needing to get up then anyway, but you might want to make sure you use the bathroom before boarding. They announce this rule so you don't have to remember it. Last time I was on a small commuter flight from DC to NY last summer, some idiot yahoo who apparently has never flown before in his life was making jokes about this and thought the flight attendant "must be joking". He even asked if this was a joke, etc. There was nothing in her manner in making announcements to suggest this was a "joke". I was just really worried he was going to be one of those idiots who thinks they can do what they want and that he would get up thinking he was being funny and delay the flight for hours (which it will, they will divert). Luckily, he didn't.

But Christina, there ARE White House tours, now. This is why the OP must rely on primary sources rather than on our chat; circumstances chage constantly.

In the OP's case, there won't be a White House tour because she's not in the US and they must be arranged thru your Congressman. But I'd hate for a US resident to read "no White House tours" on this board and be misled.

That no standing up within 30 minutes of washington rule is only for flights in and out of National (Reagan). If you're coming in from UK, you'll likely be flying into Dulles or BWI, where that rule does not apply.

We did a day trip to the Smithsonian - natural history museum - just a few weeks ago. Entering you have to take everything out of your pockets, go thru metal detector, any bags must be opened so security can look inside. Leave any bulky bags in the hotel, you will get inside in just a few minutes. The Connecticut Avenue entrance was less crowded/ busy than the Mall entrance. Can you email the British embassy in DC and see if there is any way British citizens could request tickets that way? Or do you have a us friend/ relative who could contact a representative on your behalf? Hope you have a good time. Go to Reeves Bakery at least once for breakfast buffet or strawberry pie! 1306 G street NW, about 5 or 6 blocks from the Mall