NEW TSA Travel Restrictions

R

Rich Lucibella

Staff
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that effective immediately, additional security measures are in effect in response to
recent events in the United Kingdom. The announcement is below:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is implementing a series of security measures, some visible and some not visible, to ensure the
security of the traveling public and the nation's transportation system.

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. SUCH ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE.

This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency Exceptions: Baby formula
and medicines, which must be presented for inspection at the checkpoint.

Beverages purchased in the boarding area, beyond the checkpoint, must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the
aircraft.

Passengers traveling from the United Kingdom to the United States will be subject to a more extensive screening process. These measures will be
constantly evaluated and updated as circumstances warrant.

Additionally, the United Kingdom has, at least temporarily, banned all carry on luggage.


- - - -
What You Need to Know
- - - -

* No liquids of any kind are permitted to be carried on to a flight. Even travel-size items such as hand lotion are banned at this time. If you have
doubts about any item leave it at home.

* Exceptions include baby formula, breast milk or juice for passengers traveling with infants and small children, prescription medicine that matches
the passengers name, and essential non-prescription medicines. Be sure all medicines are clearly labeled.

* At this time, these measures are subject to change. They may be temporary or may be extended.

* Passengers who normally carry on their luggage will be greatly affected. Keep in mind that toiletries such as cologne, shampoo, nail polish,
eyeliner, and toothpaste are all banned. You may either check bags containing such items or purchase them at your destination. Search through what you
carry in your purse or brief case. Be sure to remove any liquid hand sanitizer, perfume, lip balm, sun tan lotion, or liquid breath fresheners.

* Drinks purchased at the airport after passing through security must be consumed before boarding. You will not be allowed to take along bottled water
or other drinks.

* Naturally, picking up your favorite bottle of alcohol at the Duty-Free shop is out of the question.

* At this time, according to the TSA and contrary to some media reports, electronics such laptops, cell phones, and music players are not banned.

* Anticipate that security screening will once again be slow, and the lines will be long, so make sure you allow plenty of time to pass through
security. You should plan to arrive, at the bare minimum, two hours early and possibly even three hours if traveling in the next few days.

* Neatly arranged carry-on bags with see-through plastic or mesh organizers will make it easier for TSA inspectors and speed the security process.

* Keep in mind that these rules are brand new and initially may be interpreted or even mis-interpreted by airport security personnel. As always, have
patience with security personnel as they are ensuring your safety.
[Editorial Note: In other words, the Protectors are completely confused as to their own procedures and regs.]

* When packing your checked luggage, bear in mind that luggage handlers are not as gentle as you are when you carry-on. Be sure that all liquids are
in leak-proof containers.

* You may still decant liquids such as shampoo from a large flip-top bottle into smaller leak-proof travel bottles as long as they are in checked
luggage.

* To be doubly safe, place all liquid containers in sealed zip-top bags or containers designed to be leak proof.

* Be prepared to check your carry-on bag. Should the United States follow the U.K.'s lead and, even temporarily, ban carry-on luggage, be sure that
your carry-on bag is sturdy enough to be checked. Until the new security policies are clearly enforced, you may wish to avoid traveling with valuables
in case you are required to check them.
[Editorial Note: In other words, those who are entrusted with our safety cannot be trusted to be honest.]

* Contact your airline if you wish to change your travel plans. Many airlines are temporarily waving change fees.


For the latest information, see the TSA website at http://www.tsa.gov
Click to expand...
Highlighted text and Editorial Notes added by yours truly.

Not passing judgment on the wisdom of these restrictions in the short term. But if they become long term policy, the effect on airline travel is gonna be devastating. About 3 years ago, I started joking that pretty soon TSA would be handing us orange, pocketless jump suits and directing us to changing areas. Looks like that future is not so far away.

Rich
 
New airline restrictions may be here to stay

New airline restrictions may be here to stay

I'm shocked. When has our government ever put a restriction in place and left it in place?

How difficult would it be for 4-5 of these scumbag terrorists to sneak the materials to make a bomb on board in their body cavities? And what's coming after that happens - cat scans before you board a commercial plane?

(CNN) -- Air travelers might have to get used to stuffing lipstick and lotion into their luggage rather than carry it with them in the wake of a plot to destroy airliners with liquid-based explosives, security experts say.

The Transportation Security Administration issued new rules banning nearly all liquids, including beverages, lotions and hair gels, from being taken on planes after British authorities arrested at least 24 suspects in the plot.

British airlines went even further, banning all carry-on luggage except for keys, wallets, glasses and other essentials. Medications and baby formula are being allowed. (Full story)

Jamie Bowden, a former terminal manager at London's Heathrow Airport, said the new rules may be here to stay.

"I think certainly here in the U.K. and certainly in the States as well, people are now getting used to kind of a new way of travel," Bowden told CNN on Friday. "So that I think, although the airlines certainly don't want these kinds of restrictions, if they believe through government intelligence that it's much safer to fly like this, that may be a new way that people are going to have to get used to flying."

The TSA hasn't indicated how long the restrictions would remain in place but said on its Web site that "these measures will be constantly evaluated and updated as circumstances warrant."

U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Michigan, said the plot "eliminates the days of carry-on baggage," according to The Associated Press.

Nancy McKinley of the International Airline Passengers Association said the new rules are going to be a "huge adjustment," especially for business travelers.

"The challenge is going to be with the airlines on all the luggage [that] is checked and can it actually get to the destination in a reasonable amount of time once you get there -- how long do you have to wait for it and all of that," she said. (Watch how airports are getting bags through screening and to planes -- 1:47)

McKinley said some airports are urging people to arrive three hours before their flights.

"That's going to be difficult for business travelers, too. That takes a big hunk out of your day," she said.

A senior congressional source said authorities believe the plotters planned to mix a British sports drink with a gel-like substance to make an explosive that they possibly could trigger with an MP3 player or cell phone.

The components of the bomb would appear harmless until they were combined aboard the planes. (Full story)

The TSA has not banned U.S. passengers from carrying laptops, cell phones, MP3 players or BlackBerrys onto planes.

McKinley said it would "just be a nightmare" for business travelers if they did.

"If they try to take laptops and cell phones and put them into checked baggage, that creates a whole new problem," she said. "Because in the past, those type of things (were) not covered. If your luggage is lost and you have something like that in your luggage, it's not covered."

McKinley said she was confident that the restrictions eventually would be eased, once screening technology catches up with the threat.

"I mean there are studies going on right now to get more equipment, more updated equipment that can be changed out so that it doesn't become archaic, and I think that's where the focus has got to go," she said.

After the September 11, 2001, attacks, authorities banned passengers from carrying sharp objects such as knives, scissors and nail clippers. Passengers also were required to have their shoes examined after Briton Richard Reid tried to blow up a plane with a bomb hidden in his shoe.

In December, the TSA decided to allow passengers to carry scissors and small tools on board. (Full story)

Rafi Ron, former head of security at Tel Aviv, Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, said screeners should focus more on finding suspicious people than on hunting for potential terrorist tools.

"It is extremely difficult for people to disguise the fact they are under tremendous amount of stress, that they are going to kill themselves and a lot of people around them in a short amount of time, and all the other factors that effect their behavior," Ron said.
 
And there's articles out there that the 27 billion worldwide duty-free shop industry is gonna take it in the rear, not being able to sell liquor, etc., as carry on items. Not to mention just put a chill on travel in general, which hits all airlines, hotels, and touristy areas hard.

Rich, at what point will the NSA give itself authority to regulate small planes and impose the same checks and restrictions on them - where do you draw the line between private and 'public' - what if say, a small jet owner regularly ferries 10 customers from point A to point B, from a small airport, and advertises to sell the seats commercially? What's the critical distinction between that and big jumbo jets at big airports? Is there some magical number of passengers before you are subject to being regulated by TSA? Or is it strictly a function of WHICH airport - with the rule being that any plane small enough to take off and land at a small local airport has free reign, or what?

Drinks purchased at the airport after passing through security must be consumed before boarding. You will not be allowed to take along bottled water
or other drinks.
Click to expand...

Good idea. Someone might be able to set up a small lab down at the terminal end and synthsize some bombs in liquid form, then stick them into their Big Gulp cup.
 
Has any hijack attempt ever been thwarted at check-in? Anywhere? Just curious. I've never heard of one that I can remember.

I also heard that the Brits will let you take baby formula or breast milk aboard only if you are willing to take a swig beforehand.:barf:
 
FF-
I'm embarrassed to say, I'd need to bone up on the regs for FAA Parts 119, 121 and 135. WyoCowboy, Bud Helms, Art Eatman or one of the other pilots here may answer this better. For my own purposes, I know my license is legal, my medical is legal and my plane is legal.


But, basically, it's a "For-Higher" issue. I fly as a Private Pilot and do not accept fees from passengers. Therefore, I'm not required to have a Commercial License and my plane is not subject to the more stringent requirements of a commercial carrier. (eg: I can run the engines 'till they die and am not required to change out every 1600 hours- Beech Baron). Whether I'm taking off from a grass strip in Kansas or from Miami International, I operate from an FBO and am not under any requirements for personal or baggage screening....at least, not yet. There are security procedures in place to make certain no unauthorized individuals are on the ramp but, as you can imagine, these are pretty rudimentary.

Commercial Carriers (Part 135?), to my recollection, must comply with all FAA screening procedures and I assume the TSA determines those based on the various airports of departure.

The middle (and fertile) ground is the growing class of operators who offer Charter Services. To date, their passengers operate in the same manner as I do....no checks. In many cases this might include wealthy individuals and corporations who own their own private jets....the size limit is limited only by the size of your pocketbook.

This last category has already been targeted by TSA (with private pilots next in line?) http://www.dynrec.com/airportsecurity02.html. If expanded it will turn air travel on it's ear. There is simply no way TSA could man 24/7 checkpoints at every individual FBO in every single private and municipal airport around the country. Traffic would have to be consolidated; airports would close and FBO's would go out of business overnight.

Rich
 
The whole issue of airline security is a real conundrum. To do nothing about security would not be prudent, and would not please travlers. Can you just imagine the wailing of the loyal opposition if there were no security, and muslim terrorists started downing plane after plane?
Putting in place draconian security measures seems equally imprudent, and pleases no one.
The security enhancements put into place after 9/11 were a pain to all that travel. However, whether as a result of that increased security or not, there have been no other attacks or reported attempts, until now.
I certainly don't have the magic answer. Evidently no one does. All I do know is that either choice will have its detractors and it's advocates. You cannot please everyone, and no matter which course the Government chooses, we lose.
To me, the obvious solution is to eliminate the threat. Remove all those that seek to kill thousands of innocent travelers just to promote their agenda. Of course that would mean pre emptive strikes on a massive scale, and against a huge number of targets. That won't happen either.
 
Well, one could take a closer look at the belongings and demeanor of young males of middle eastern extraction, but that would be "profiling" and would not be nice.
 
The thing that pees me off so much is not the rules per se, but the way they are made...

A bunch of murderers try to do bad with an OBJECT, and instead of addressing the problem with reasonable measures, they do the nincompoop thing of "banning" hair gel and the like...sort of like baiing flashiders :)

Every time the terrs pick a murder method the TSA flies off half cocked...shoe bombs..take off shoes...liquid bombs, toss out the Chanel

If the killers really wanted to disrupt the US transportation system, they would send a few of their martyrs into an airport with sticks of dyntamite shoved up their butts...Imagine the lines we would have at Chicago O'Hare then when the TSA reacts to that one...the latex glove industry would surely profit.

Im truly getting sick and tired of all this crap


WildfuseAlaska
 
I do not like to fly anyway . I have not for years . If I was ever FORCED to fly I would show up in Speedos and flip-flops . No luggage of any sort . I wonder how that would work .
 
Has anyone considered the possibility that the eradication of the commercial airline industry may be the actual target?

Think of the implications, should fewer and fewer people travel by air. How long before many/most commercial airlines declare bankruptcy?

On a bright note, the fewer people that travel by air, the longer it would take a truly pandemic disease to propagate....
 
As always, have patience with security personnel as they are ensuring your safety.

:barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf: :barf:

Anyone who believes this go-se deserves to be penned and sheared like the stupid gorram sheep they are.
 
Just wait until they catch a bunch of terrorists who have impregnated their clothing with chemicals. THAT will have interesting repercussions!
 
Perhaps nothing should be done. Then, after the terrorists blow up a bunch of planes, I would expect the reaction from everyone would be:

Where was the government? Why didn't it react to a credible threat? Where was George Bush? This is all his fault.....
 
The end result of these safety measure is you'll be flying naked. All passengers will be blindfolded so no one is offended. You'll be required to arrive at the airport 6 hours prior to your flight and submit to an enema to make sure you don't have explosives up your large colon. Female passengers will be required to submit to a gynecological exam in addition to the enema. You can avoid the exam and enema if you're willing to pay for a full body CAT scan - cost will be about $1000 depending on location. Airline seating will consist of Coleman chmical porta pottys that you'll be secured to for the duration of the flight. Your luggage will go by surface transport - for most locations it should arrive about a week after you do. You will have a safe and enjoyable flight.
 
Perhaps nothing should be done.
Click to expand...
Fremmer-
Why must "Oh, so you think we should do nothing?" always be the response when .gov action is criticized? It's a fallacious response in honest debate.

How about something in the middle:
- Focus less on dirty laundry and butane lighters and more on behaviors, body language and likely subjects.

- Stop allowing individual TSA personnel to make up rules as they go along, all the while telling passengers that they can't see those rules.

- Privatize airport security under Federal standards and charge the passengers for it....I'd gladly pay more to save a 3 hour delay caused by unionized bureaucrats engaged in a Group Nose Pick.

- Stop with the crazy, multiple "Papers Please Checks"....it slows everyone down needlessly, drains resources that may be used to a purpose and accomplishes zero. Fake ID, even under RealID is simply too easy to obtain. Check the id at the ticket counter and let it go at that.....needless to say, those computers aren't even hooked up to the DoNotFly list.....but neither is the brain of the officious, uniformed FOREIGN NATIONAL at the screening checkpoint.

- Start focusing on the damned AIRPORT WORKERS. Don't tell me that I need to leave my jewelry at home because the government doesn't trust the people (in and out of TSA) that have access to our baggage, food, ramps and planes.

- Allow passengers to carry tools of survival and comfort on aircrafts....including their penknives, multi-tools and tweezers.....essentially, give back to the American Public the knowledge that we are in partnership with .gov; not at its bureaucratic mercy....this worked pretty darned well in WWII and continues to work for Israel.

- Finally, ENFORCE OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS. If domestic airports are a target for foreign terrorists as we are told, they have to get into the country to get on a plane in the country!

Not an "end-all solution", I know. But it's sure better than slowly starving the industry to death or taxpayer "bail-out" and 100% better than attempting to desensitize, dehumanize and beat the American public into complete helplessness.

Rich
 
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