I understand they have banned curb-side check-in. Why?

I always use curb-side check-in. You have to show your ticket and ID, and you get asked the same questions as you do if you wait in the big ol' line at the counter.

Can someone please explain why planes are more secure if we do away with curb-side check-in?

I don't think that curb-side check in is about making planes more secure, I think its about making the FAA look like its trying to make the planes more secure.

It is because someone can easily drop off a bag with a bomb at check in and then drive off or can park a car with a car bomb is front of the airport entrance. This has happened in Europe in the past. There may also be other reasons that I am not aware of?

Curb side check in does not allow for a more thorough search of "some" bags. They are randomly checking the contents of some bags and if you check them at the curb and then go to your flight they would not have access to them. It is a long tedious process to accompany them to the ticket counter but if it helps make travel safer than so be it. Anne, the FAA isn't just trying to make its planes "look" more secure - it is a specific action to improve safety. We witnessed an "unattended" bag confiscated by security and the owner was not allowed to fly either with or without it until a more careful check of him and his bags - that is not "just for appearances" but action that should have been in place for a while.

Jode, why on earth would curb-side check-in interfere with random spot checks of bags? If the bag is checked at the curb or at the counter, it goes on a conveyor belt. Doesn't that conveyor belt go to the same place, where spot checking could occur? Alternatively, they could spot check right there on the curb as easily as they can do it inside.

Anne, between this and the "life in America is more normal etc" thread, it's evident that you just plain DON'T GET IT. You're so far out of step that you are not just on the left foot when everyone else is on the right, but you can't even find the proper beat.

They have not allowed curbside check in for international flights for years. I think there are a number of reasons for this, one of them being that they want everyone who checks in to check in at the same place so that security measures are consistent. I think that it gives the security people a chance to look at the passengers as they wait in line and see if there are any people that may look nervous, suspicious or whatever. This has nothing to do with the FAA looking good. Whatever the reasons, it is for our protection.

This is in reply to ??? - first of all curb side check in does not lend itself to baggage inspection - you would be out in the elements and there simply is not enough room to do it properly - I don't mind waiting while they check the contents of my bag if they chose but I would rather it be done inside and not in the rain, cold, heat etc. Also, last night our bags were NOT picked to be checked but went on a conveyer belt - hopefully to be put on our flight - we still have not received our bags but that is another story - those that were picked (for whatever reason) were taken to one side and placed on tables and their contents carefully checked. Obviously you must be present to witness the exam of your bags and be present to unlock and then relock your bags. Now do you get it?

I was in Las Vegas the week before the terrible events in NYC and Washington DC. At several hotels there was CAPS ( airport check in for several airlines - Virgin Atlantic, American, America West- for $6 they tag your bags and take it to the airport for the flight. All passengers had to apppear with the tickets. For the international flights ( Virgin Atlantic- the checked in baggage is scrrened at the airport before loading onto the flight- I don't know about the arrangements for domestic flights.) Now of course, this service is not available. We have not had curbside check in in the UK or Europe.

Here's a little story to illustrate the lack of security at some airports (as if we even need such an illustration, right?).

Two years ago we flew into Miami from Chicago at a very busy time -- New Year's weekend after a very heavy snowstorm in the North.

I stupidly left a bag sitting curbside in the confusion of getting all members of our party and all bags into a waiting car.

About two hours later I realized what I had done and went back to the airport hoping against hope that it had been turned in. Among other things, our return tickets were in that bag!

When I drove up to the curb where we had gotten in the car, I was amazed to see my bag STILL sitting there. Overhead the announcement was blaring that any unattended bags would be removed -- keep in mind that by this time that darn bag had been sitting there for almost three hours, in plain sight! The return tickets were sticking out of a pocket, just as I had left them!

Yes, I consider myself lucky, but it sure makes you wonder, huh?

Has anyone heard about banning carry- ons? I rarely fly but like to pack light and avoid baggage claim area.

The FAA isn't planning on banning carryons: Since they specified things that won't be allowed in carryons, it follows that carryons will be allowed.

But since carryons will have to be inspected much more thoroughly, we can expect the airlines to restrict the amount you can carry on, just to keep the inspection task to manageable proportions.

On the other hand, there have been a couple of posts referring to British carriers (Virgin?) prohibiting all but the most minimal carryons (as I recall, they provided a baggie for medicines, tickets, cash, credit cards).

I urge everyone to read the following two pieces on the abysmal state of airport/airline security:

'Paying The Price'by Paul Krugman

http://nytimes.com/2001/09/16/opinion/16KRUG.html

'Even Workers Can See Flaws in Airlines' Screening System' By
STEVEN GREENHOUSE and CHRISTOPHER DREW,
NY Times, Sept. 14, 2001
http://nytimes.com/2001/09/14/national/14SECU.html