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[lucilla]

Travel updates please! For the 2nd summer in a row I have been travelling when a major terror-related incident took place. Last summer was worse as it actually happened (in London) and I was in the UK. This time I'm just on the other coast but I"m still kind of anxious about what to expect. I don't want to check my laptop and have it trashed in stowage. Has anyone travelled today? Were you able to bring on all the usual things except your coffee, water, hand lotion, toothpaste, hair gel, etc? Was it horribly slow or was it quicker to get through security since people checked more things? Did you need to allow tons more time for checkin etc?
thanks!

[medievalisttoo]

I'd like to hear others' experience, too, especially with regard to laptop computers, digital cameras, and the like.  I've got a conference overseas this fall (flying British Airways), and not only am I worried about the essential equipment getting banged up, I don't want it stolen, as we can no longer lock checked luggage.

I'm thinking that bans on laptops, at least, won't last, because the airlines would lose too much business travel revenue, but that's pure speculation.

[expatinuk]

According to the Continental Airlines website:

In the UK:

 Passengers may only take through the airport security search point, the following items in a single (ideally transparent) plastic bag:

    *Travel documents essential for the journey (eg passports, tickets and visas)
    *Pocket sized wallets and pocked sized purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards and identity cards). Handbags are not permitted.
    *Prescribed medicines essential for the duration of the flight, except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
    *Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
    *Contact lenses, without bottles of solution
    *For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk and sanitary items essential for the flight.
    *Keys (but no electrical key fobs).
    *Every other item must be carried in customer’s checked luggage.

No electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, ipods, remote controls etc can be carried in the cabin and must be checked as baggage.

In the US:

 The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has determined that there is a high risk of terrorism against U.S. civil aviation, and the need for extra restrictions to assure the security of air travel.

On instruction from the Transportation Security Administration, Continental Airlines advises customers that no liquids or gels are permitted inside the sterile area through the screening checkpoint or be in accessible baggage or on one's person except:

    * Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling
    * Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket
    * Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines

In addition, customers may not bring liquids and gels purchased inside the sterile area onboard the aircraft. Examples of liquids and gels include beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and items of a similar consistency.

These measures apply to all scheduled and charter flight operations that depart from and operate within the United States and its territories and possessions.

All passengers are advised to travel light. Accessible property should have minimal clutter to expedite the screening process.

Between August 10 and August 23, 2006, Continental will accept a third bag free of charge provided it meets the carry on bag criteria. This includes markets with checked baggage embargos. Customers may still travel with a personal carry-on item.

[monkfish]

I'd like to hear others' experience, too, especially with regard to laptop computers, digital cameras, and the like.  I've got a conference overseas this fall (flying British Airways), and not only am I worried about the essential equipment getting banged up, I don't want it stolen, as we can no longer lock checked luggage.

I'm thinking that bans on laptops, at least, won't last, because the airlines would lose too much business travel revenue, but that's pure speculation.

Actually, I think we can lock checked baggage, we just have to get those TSA approved locks. Not sure how much good they are though, but I guess they might be deter a nimble fingered ground crew member from casual theft.

Am I the only one who feel that the latest precautions might be going a bit over board?? Glasses but no glass cases seems a bit extreme.  Hopefully these restrictions wont be for too long.

[prof_mom]

I know! I'm traveling with my 2 kids in just over a week (both are under 4). Imagine a trip without their travel bags including goodies, stuffed animals, books, milk, and water bottles. They are young, but not infants. I guess I will have to call to see if sippy cups will be allowed.

How am I supposed to get my computer along? Oh, I hope it doesn't last more than a week.

[expatinuk]

I'm worried about my computer as well... not so much about it being stolen. But about it being broken. Have you ever SEEN how they handle baggage?

I guess all the duty free shops will go out of business. If you can't carry on anything  then you can't BUY anything once you've checked your baggage.

Or will they allow you buy things AFTER security? Perhaps this is just an evil plot to get you to BUY MORE!!!!!

[larryc]

My flask of booze!  I can't take my lovely silver flask of vodka, can't ask for the free can of spicy tomato juice, can't nimbly (from long practice) spike my drink behind the cover of the New York Times, undetected.  This certainly ruins my flying routine.

[noname]

I am most concerned about my contact lenses. I know it says no bottles of solution, but what about the itsbybit of solution in the contact lens storage containers? The contacts would dry out and be ruined if not stored in solution. Any ideas??

[koda_kube]

Having lived and travelled in London (by tube) in the days of the IRA
bombings we learned to be observant.  Having taken a phone call from an Irish IRA member and being told the building I was in had a bomb in it that was due to go off in 20 minutes makes me scared now.  Technology has improved for us - labtops and digital cameras etc., and so it has for the terrorists.  I too have European trips coming up - I'll leave the labtop at home (yes breakage is my fear) and take a thumb drive or two and hope that my hosts will have a computer that I can use there.  For the trip - watch the movie, or get some much needed sleep!

[tee_bee]

Regarding the question about duty free ships, the NY Times just posted a story about airport vendors selling (or, more correctly, not selling) liquids. The link to this today is http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/11/world/europe/11cnd-shops.html?hp&ex=1155355200&en=0d8b5be5bb30c196&ei=5094&partner=homepage, although this might not work on your browser. Sorry for the scary long URL.

[science_expat]

On the BBC just now they're saying that you can buy liquids (including dutyfree)
"airside" in UK airports and carry them onto planes unless you're flying to the States. You can also buy books etc... once through security.

[comp_queen]

Another general suggestion--banned items that you might need once you get where you're going CAN still be shipped, right?  Flying's rough on my ears, nose, and throat anyway, so it wasn't that tough a decision that no one in my family has flown since 9/11, but my understanding is that shipping still works.  Good luck everyone and be safe!

[abuflletcher]

Back when I was doing travel photograhy and would travel with 3-4 bodies, 5-10 lenses, a couple flashes, etc., I felt the only really safe way to ship gear was in hard-shelled, foam-lined cases like the Pelican cases.  Looks like I'll be using one of those from my laptop and cameras.

Strangely though I find the idea of a forced 10 hour or so separation between me and my electronic devices curiously appealing.

[notaprof]

Another general suggestion--banned items that you might need once you get where you're going CAN still be shipped, right? 

Actually, you can still take all the banned items in your checked baggage, they are only banned from carry-on bags.

As to how long this will last?  In the US, it all depends on what impact this has on the Decider's popularity polls.  If it gives him an extra bump up then I imagine that it will be kept in place through midterm elections.  If it doesn't help, then it will probably fade away rather quickly.   Call me cynical, call me jaded, just don't call me stupid.

And prof mom, you have my sympathies.  I traveled once with a 2, 3 and 5 year-old by myself and could not have survived the trip without their goodie bags full of distractions.  However, if you are not traveling through London or on long haul trips, I think normal carry on things are allowed with the exception of the banned items.  If you are on anything heading through London though, I advise you give some medication for sniffles (like Dimetapp) before you get in line at the airport and maybe the kidlets will nap through the flight.   (I know, it's terrible but your sanity may be worth it.)

[greyscale]

I just flew from the US to Heathrow on Friday, for a conference, on an American carrier. Travel wasn't so bad; the delays were no worse than I've experienced from minor weather problems. The carryon situation was much better than I'd feared. Those of us whose final destination was Heathrow were allowed our usual carryon bag (laptops were no problem), just without liquids & gels. Passengers who were continuing from Heathrow to another airport were restricted to the infamous clear plastic bag for the Heathrow->wherever leg, but they could bring their usual carryon on the US->Heathrow leg because all their bags had to be reclaimed and re-checked at Heathrow anyway. I've heard from friends that you can have a paperback in your plastic bag even though it's not on the official list. That makes the situation infinitely more bearable, and I'm not too worried about my trip home.

To my great disappointment (but no great surprise), a number of prominent people have canceled their conference trip. The conference organizers offered full refunds to anyone whose plans changed, and the airlines are giving vouchers. The sessions are going to have a lot of gaps. It's a small-ish conference focused on interacting with the other participants, so I'm afraid it won't be as good as usual. :(