For those who have flown recently....do you notice much difference in the check-in process? Do they look inside your carryons and purses, briefcase, etc?

No lipstick?

Just random observations from my flights through New Orleans, Chicago O'Hare, San Francisco and atlanta last week, but all security checkpoints were FASTER than before. The fact that so many people are just checking luggage makes the whole process work a lot better although I guess it does slow the baggage checkin/retrieval process a bit.

The Southwest line at Ontario was out the door on Friday evening. It took nearly an hour to make it to the gate.

On the other hand, the Phoenix airport yesterday had no lines and security was very quick. The woman next to me had her mascara taken from her purse and they took another woman's lipgloss. They were also doing randon spot checks again at the gate.

It really depends on the airport and in some cases the airline. We have had some flights where we just breeze through security and others where the lines are long. Don't bring any makeup except a tube of lipstick. They will allow that but not lip gloss and other more liquid types of lipstick. Good luck!

I didn't notice much difference in the security process or timing flying out of Minneapolis. However upon returning to Minneapolis, I waited 1.5 hours for my checked luggage. What a pain! They had as many as 6 or 7 flights back up on each luggage return. Lots of people and very little luggage

In coming back from HNL through LAX we passed by three National Guard soldiers inspecting the boarding of just our plane. We flew on Delta. I overheard a conversation between a Delta employee and a soldier who was quite unhappy that an off duty Delta Flight Attendant was allowed to board with her coffee. The guardsman was explaining that he could pull her off of the flight and inspect everything that she owned and told the employee to discuss it with her so it doesn't happen again. While boarding the same employee was behind me discussing the situation with another co worker. He repeated the story and said that he had no intention of saying anything to her. Security is as good as the weakest link.

I flew Sacramento to San Diego and return last week- didnt notice any difference in lines and searches than before.
More people checking bags so less carry on bags and boarding and deplaning easier.
Lipstick is allowed -

Based on a trip earlier this week -- in carry-on: tube lipstick, yes. Lip gloss and Chapstick, no.

DawnCt, that's an eye opener. I hope you wrote/emailed Delta about this.

No but perhaps I should. We flew the red eye from HNL and I didn't give it much thought until now.

I'm hearing lipstick is ok. It's the liquid lipgloss that's not acceptable.
Here's some info from the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries that might clarify:

"No liquids or gels of any kind will be permitted in carry on baggage.... This includes all beverages, shampoo, sun tan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Exceptions: Baby formula and medicines, which must be presented for inspection at the checkpoint."

Wendy Piquette
C-USA Travel Guide
www.c-usa.info

I still wonder about the fact that commercial cargo put in the hold of the airplanes are not being screened. I read SFO has or is going to start screening the commercial cargo there. But what about the rest of the airports? That to me seems like a very large security gap.

Seattle thru Dulles to Bradlee last week and in reverse. Yes they look inside your carryone and purses both at the security check point and again at the gate before boarding. Tube lipstick was OK. The difference I noticed was things seemed more organized and better staffed.

I am sure this varies depending on when and where you are flying.

I've flown quite a bit in the past few weeks. Check-in is taking a slightly longer than usual, as more people are checking bags. Going through security is taking more or less the same.

Out of SFO and EWR last weekend, got through security in 10 mins in each place--no long lines, no issues, no one looked in my bag.

Flew through Milwaukee a week ago Sunday. At least two passsengers boarded with bottles of water held in plain sight. Not a word was said and the two of them apparently quenched their thirst while the rest of us waited with dust-dry throats for the beverage carts.

Interesting about that off duty flight attendant at Delta. Last week flying American from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, an off duty American pilot was boarding with a Starbuck's and the guy at the gate made him toss it, which he did without complaint after gulping most of it. Almost immediately after that the regular pilot or co-pilot entered with a cup of Starbuck's and the guy started to prevent him, but then decided since he was flying the plane he could have his coffee. We all sort of laughed.

I ALWAYS drink lots of water while flying. Are the airlines now giving out entire bottles of water once on board, or are they still pouring those teeny 4 oz cups?

I'm thirsty just thinking about this.

Security was easy this weekend to and from DFW/SFO. Leaving SFO, they simply asked if I had any lotion or mascara, but no one looked in my bag. However, companion walked right on with a bottle of coke in hand before he realizing it and throwing it away. Yes, I had lipstick.

Joan, I'm also an a water addict and told the flight attendant as soon as I walked on board that I need a bottle of water. She said she couldn't give me a bottle but immeidately poured me a cup out of a big bottle and I took it with me to my seat. I made sure my cup did runneth over until the absolute last minute before we landed!

No they will not give you a bottle of water, but it was available by the cup by walking back to the galley.