And just how well is this going to work?

[gerisullivan]

According to CNN International, British police say they have disrupted an apparent plot to blow up planes in mid-flight. Heathrow was reportedly closed, though it's open now. New air travel security measures mean that no hand luggage aside from an extraordinarily limited set of items will be allowed on planes from UK airports.

If the carry-on limitations are any indication, it must be one hell of a plot, and one that is believed to still pose profound risk. Yes, indeed, in the bit of time I've been writing this, the banner has been changed to read, "Plot to blow up aircraft flying from UK was 'intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale,' police spokesman says."

CNN reports that Britain's transportation secretary Alexander "said the measures would be kept under review and would only be in place for as long as necessary. He said that he recognized that the measures meant that airline passengers would face immensely difficult circumstances."

No shit.

I'm trying to imagine any flight, let alone a transatlantic one, without a book to read. Having to check both my laptop and my CPAP equipment, or leave them at home. Not traveling with any jewelry other than what I'm wearing. No little PEZ Boy MP3 player, no inflatable neck pillow. Checking my purse, being allowed only a pocket-sized bag with ID/Passport, cash, credit cards, and essential prescription medications needed in flight...so long as they aren't liquid, or are somehow verified as authentic, and similar restrictions on the incredibly short list of allowed items...I'm not sure flying would be a realistic choice for me at this time. Work demands du jour mean accepting increased risks affecting my computer equipment and the time I have available to work on it are a really bad idea.

Fortunately, I'm not heading for an airport for another 11 days. There's a bit of time to see how this settles out, what if any security changes TSA decides upon during that time. So far, they've only prohibited liquids, gels, lotions, and similar items from carry-on baggage. I can put my toothpaste in my checked bag....

Yes, I realize these are small matters compared to any loss of life in deliberately-executed terrorist actions, let alone "mass murder on an unimaginable scale." But the travel disruptions that occur because of this particular set of security measures are going to be profound and then some. It's going to directly affect the world, and my personal world as well. We'll all find out how over the coming days and weeks.

Onward.

Comments

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

It's a specific response to a specific plot. They think they've rounded up the suspects, but have implemented draconion carry-on to mop-up the risk that there are back-up agents they haven't found. It's intended to be very temporary.

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I should have made clear that I was talking about check-in at UK airports; what judgements other authorities are making I have no idea.

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

No problem. Yeah, I quoted the guy saying they'd keep the restrictions in place only as long as necessary and acknowledging just how hard it's going to be on those flying.

[drplokta]

They should also be very temporarily making airlines or airport baggage handlers liable for loss or damage to laptops and other expensive items in checked baggage up to a sensible limit, say £20,000, instead of the current derisory limits, even if this means derogating from the Warsaw Convention.

[mjlayman.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this would be the big deal for me. I can handle checking my meds and jewelry and books and so forth, but then there has to be a way to get the value of them back.

[lauriemann.livejournal.com]

I don't mind having my carry-on searched. I'll gladly turn on my computer to show that it's real! But it does, as usual, sound like the governments are overreacting.

[dduane.livejournal.com]

No kidding.

Those of us who live Across The Big Sea Water have just had our travel plans complicated big time. And since Peter and I have had a "travel with carry-on only to the US" policy running for some time now...things get more complicated yet. (eyeroll)

We'll see how this all settles out, as you say...

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

I was thinking about you, Peter, and other fans around the globe planning to head to Worldcon soon as I was writing. That, and of a friend currently in the UK on business, and the minnehahas, currently in France. lollardfish and buttonlass just flew over to visit them a couple of days ago.

Et cetera. The ripples from this one look more the size of surfing waves. I read that normally 186,000 people travel through Heathrow everyday. That's a lot of disruption, a lot of complication.

Here's hoping it settles down, and quickly, too. Fingers crossed all continues to work out and our paths soon cross at the Space Port Lounge and Underbelly Bar (yes, it's part of L.A.con IV)!

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Thanks for thinking of us. We're /so/ glad we're not travelling at all until next Tuesday, and then just from Paris to Milan.

[dinogrl.livejournal.com]

As I recall last year in the UK we flew in and out of many small airports, and they were not as restrictive as the TSA was. I was a bit taken back by this as the tube bombings had been less than a month from when we arrived.
I can imagine someone will find an excuse to restrict us even further for the sake of safety, but the airline industry is going to tank again if these are going to be instituted. Too much business travel, and pretty much a guarantee licensing of theft.
How will this affect people who need breathing apparatus? Yikes! What a nightmare!

[madfilkentist]

We're now being told that a laptop computer can hold enough explosives to blow up a plane -- which I suppose makes sense, if a pair of shoes can do the same. The fact is that for all the security shows governments and airports put on, really the only way to keep nasty stuff from being brought onto airplanes is the solution used in Heinlein's The Puppet Masters.

Unfortunately, the idea that God rewards brutal murderers has gained widespread popularity among Muslims; the people who hold this view are definitely a minority, but neither are they just a tiny handful of lunatics. Getting killed isn't a deterrent to them, because they think they'll just collect their reward that much more quickly if they die. So Al Qaeda has a supply of willing murderers, and of people willing to abet murder to varying degrees.

On the other side of the ledger, it's certain that the US and UK governments will use the latest threat as an excuse for more illegal actions and more attacks on our liberties. The timing is very convenient for Bush, with elections coming up in a few months. (For those who can't read, let me add: I did not say this is a Bush plot. I said "The timing is very convenient for Bush.")

No matter how it works out, we lose.

[lauriemann.livejournal.com]

Hopefully, air travel will be straightened out in a few weeks.

If this had happened a year ago this week, imagine the post-Interaction chaos!

The new restrictions don't sound all that bad (I mean, I can always buy new toothpaste when I arrive somewhere), but I still don't like the idea of checking anything that could be stolen (medicines, laptops, cameras, et.c.).

[dinogrl.livejournal.com]

There was post-Interaction chaos if I recall, but for a different reason. The airline strike was horrific, thank goodness I was not flying out right afterwards.

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

I got caught in it; I was doing a few days in London with my kids. Flying on BA to Heathrow was the plan, we ended up on a BMI flight instead, which got us in late enough that I was seriously worried about being able to get to my friend's flat in Gant's Hill before the Underground shut for the night.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

Yeah, as it happened, during the peak of the strike, Lisa and I took a ride on the London Eye, which is sponsored by BA. The spiel they give talks about your 30 minute trip on the big wheel as a "flight." When I heard that, I said, "This must be the only BA flight today that wasn't cancelled."

[marahsk.livejournal.com]

It's bad enough: it means that people either *have* to check a bag, or buy new toiletries (not always easy if you aren't going to have access to a car), and people are being told to get the airport an extra half-hour to an hour early. Having to check or go without laptops, cpaps, and cameras is harsh. And I can't read on planes without getting sick, so my portable dvd player is the difference between an enjoyable flight and hours of tedium.

I'm in the the UK at the moment ...

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

As some of you know, I'm in the UK at the moment.

First, I'm very glad *NOT* to be flying back to the US this week.

I'm torn between saying this is overblown, saying the UK Airports have been caught with their pants down, and saying I told you so (stop blindly backing Israel, get the hell out of the Mideast, and frankly stop trying to be den-mommy to the world). This last tirade applies to both the US and UK.

When I was at the hotel from 07:00 when I woke up to when I left at 08:00 to go to the office, this was basically the only story on the television news.

It sounds like part of the plot was to use liquid explosives. Which is why they are requiring a traveling passenger to taste baby food / liquid fluids.

The UK airports don't have the explosive sniffing technology that I have seen in the US and certainly nothing like the blown air machine (passenger essentially goes through a wind tunnel) that I have seen at Logan. Hence my comment about being caught with their pants down.

The previous security (post 9/11 until yesterday) was pretty much a joke - security theatre. You are going to allow dental floss and coat hangers, but not knitting needles or nail clippers? Give me a break!

Also laptops (and most LCD based devices) are a big risk. Not only can you hide a lot of stuff inside, but the LCD screens pretty much block a lot of the security screening. Which is why they usually ask you to take camcorders, dvd-players, and GPS devices out of the luggage too. Or at least they should. So, depending on how your laptop is configured, I suspect you could pop the battery, tape a razor blade inside, and stick the battery back in. Or better yet, take out the CD/DVD drive, use the weight saving dummy panel that a lot of computers come with and stick some "tools" in there. You could probably even talk yourself out of that one if you get caught.

Now, I'm not sure how long this is going to last. It also appears it is only for flights from the UK. I'm sure that the airport stores are not going to be happy about not selling books or food to bring on board. It is also interesting to think about what all US Government Employees carrying secret documents on them are going to do. People from Lincoln Labs et. al. regularly travel with secret documents. And you are not allowed to check them. IIRC, secret can be mailed (in double envleopes) but top secret and above must be hand carried. I can see a lot of people stopping by the embassy to put things in the "pouch". Not.

I'm scheduled to fly back to the USA next Friday 18 August. One of the first things I did this morning was book a Eurostar ticket from London to Paris, and a Delta (Air France) Flight from Paris to Boston for next Friday. If the situation in the UK hasn't improved by next Thursday, I'm not flying out of here. While I'd be willing to have everything searched and not take any liquids / unknown substances on board, I'm not happy about needing to check my laptop (and cell phones), but I'm even less happy about not being able to take reading material / work on the plane with me.

Re: I'm in the the UK at the moment ...

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

A couple of other points of interest:

I'm staying at the Hilton attached to Heathrow Terminal 4.

Last night there seemed to be more flights cancelled than usual. Maybe that is just coincidence. But, there were a lot of people stuck at the airport and hotels.

Also, in order to catch the bus to Ashford where Stratus is located, I have to walk thru T4. Which I did at about 8 AM this morning. While the terminal had longer check in lines, I didn't notice any of the additional security that was mentioned of checking IDs at the doors to the terminals and only letting ticketed passengers in. (I was proactive and took my US Passport with me in my shirt bocket today. I sometimes live in the hotel safe, my luggage, or even my briefcase.)

Delta et. al. say this extra security is only for flights from the UK at this point. Not even to the UK.

And yes, I'm confirmed in Business Class on both my flights next week (the one from the UK and the one from Paris). I'm also booked in First on Eurostar. If checkin is going to be a zoo, I'm going to make it go as smothly as possible for myself.

Re: I'm in the the UK at the moment ...

[totient]

TS can be faxed over a secure line and the original shredded.

[threeringedmoon.livejournal.com]

No books? How can they expect us to travel without books?

[kip-w.livejournal.com]

It's just possible I could manage it with a few crossword puzzles, a real choice of music on the headphones (and videos, like Virgin had last time I came back from the UK), and lots of sleep. But jeez, they're just making it so that passengers will start a riot halfway across, out of sheer boredom.

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

Currently no crossword puzzles either. Nada. Only wallets, passports, essential prescirption meds, baby foods, and the like.

I have no idea if airlines are still allowed to give out newspapers. I assume they would be much in the same way as they are still being allowed to serve food and drink on the planes.

[smofbabe.livejournal.com]

'm trying to imagine any flight, let alone a transatlantic one, without a book to read.

Indeed. Stephen and I have been watching the news the last few hours just hoping that once the security people think that the jittery public is reassured, they will let up on some of these restrictions. We leave for the US next Thursday and a 16+-hour flight without any diversion whatsoever is not something we want to contemplate even remotely.

Ironically, I was debating anyway whether to put my laptop in my checked baggage for the first time given my problems with carrying/lugging anything right now. However, I was also planning to increase my carry-on items in other ways (soft neck brace, another pillow, a reading stand). We're hoping that some reason will have prevailed by next week. I don't envy anybody in medias travel right now anywhere in Europe.

[daystreet.livejournal.com]

Well, for years I've been hearing about how people can sneak various benign-seeming liquids and other substances on board -- generally the theory goes that two or more people would bring the "ingredients" on board separately -- then the mixing of the chemicals takes place on board the aircraft, in the head or whatever, then, you know, the plane blows up.

It's about god damned time somebody started paying attention to this glaring danger. I'm pretty sure books and magazines are not going to be forever banned as carry-on. I hope a lot of other stuff is, though.

[thette.livejournal.com]

I would be happy if bottles of alcohol is banned completely. Fire hazard, blunt weapon and sharp weapon all in one.

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

Once again the duty free stores would probably have a fit.

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

I would be annoyed if I could not buy single malt at duty free ;)

[madfilkentist]

Terrorists don't normally carry visible weapons, and making sure that passengers can't have even crude weapons will make life that much easier for the terrorists.

[joel-rosenberg.livejournal.com]

Totally unrelated observation, that occurs to me purely at random, mind you, and has no relationship to anything being discussed: some people have bad backs, and occasionally require a cane to maneuver themselves aboard and about a plane.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

Liquids? we can't take something to drink onto the plane?

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

Apparently not. Hopefully they'll still be feeding soft drinks to people for free.

[jolest.livejournal.com]

From what I heard, part of the terrorist's plot was for them to use modified pop bottles to sneak chemicals onto the planes. Top half = normal pop, bottom half = part of a liquid explosive...

Virtually any liquid-container is a potential threat...

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

No water? No books?! And no noisecancelling headphones?

How on earth am I supposed to fly anywhere!

Oh foo, the paranoia seems to be spreading ...

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

While the Delta website says restrictions only apply to flights from and through the UK (not even to to the UK), the Northwest website says (and the tsa www.tsa.gov seems to back this up):

Effective today, the TSA has informed Northwest that travelers are not allowed to transport any liquids, gels, lotions or similar items in their carry-on luggage. This includes items such as beverages, hairspray, toothpaste and shampoo. Customers are advised to transport these items in their checked luggage. The TSA will remove these items from customers' carry-on luggage at airport security checkpoints. These items must now be placed in checked luggage or they will be discarded.

As a result, the airline is suggesting that customers consider checking all of their luggage, in an effort to minimize delays at airport security checkpoints.

Northwest is also encouraging customers to allow additional time before their flight. Customers traveling domestically are encouraged to arrive two hours prior to departure, while those flying to international destinations are encouraged to arrive three hours prior to departure.

As additional information on this new TSA security requirement becomes available, it will be posted on the TSA's Web site at www.tsa.gov, and Northwest will post information to its Web site at www.nwa.com.

Re: Oh foo, the paranoia seems to be spreading ...

[lauriemann.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess I'll have to decide the day before LACon whether it's safe to bring my cell phone, digital camera and laptop. I don't let any of them out of my carryon for any reason. How early '90s is THAT going to feel?

I haven't heard about "purse restrictions" hitting the states yet.

Re: Oh foo, the paranoia seems to be spreading ...

[gerisullivan.livejournal.com]

Agreed; the US restrictions regarding carry-on items have only been expanded to include liquids/gels/toothpaste and the like. With luck and such, the next move will be an appropriate easing of the restrictions on international travel through the UK.

The only present "risk" factor I see regarding the electronics question is the possibility of the regulations changing between my arrival (wherever) and my return home. Having something happen to my laptop on the way home is much less of a problem for me at this time. If I've backed up data offsite somehow, that is. The notion of entrusting both my laptop *and* my USB flash drives to checked luggage would be too much, which is why I'm glad I'm not trying to fly out of the UK right now. But I believe there are online backup options available, or even remembering how to park files at my website as a backup while I'm traveling is probably something I should make time for.

(I have seven documents with deadlines hitting during my trip west, and an eighth with a deadline the day I return home. If I can't work while I'm in LA, I can't go to LA.)

For those of you who were planning to join the "Mile High Club" this week

[justeps.livejournal.com]

...you'll have to dump your lube at the checkpoint. All in the name of national security, of course.

[joel-rosenberg.livejournal.com]

About the only way to make sure that the flight is safe is to strip-search the passengers (body cavity included, of course) before leading them, naked, into the next room to put on their flight suits. Then lock them into their seats, a la Con Air, before the flight takes off (using neither of the conventional handcuff keys, please; one may be down a thread in somebody's esophagus), and unlock them when the flight lands.

Of course, that doesn't touch the problem of luggage...

In the meantime, most of the "precautions" being undertaken are, I'm afraid, as usual, more designed to demonstrate that the authorities are "doing something" than anything else.

Case in point: Ron Rosenbaum, local talk jock, showed up an hour early for his flight to Vegas, as is his wont. "Mr. Rosenbaum," the registration clerk informed him, "you've been randomly selected to be the passenger thoroughly searched for this flight, but the TSA guys aren't ready for you -- could you come back in an hour?"

What's particularly revolting is that the TSA folks have an articulable reason why they do it just that way.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

I am so glad that I'm driving to Worldcon this year and that it's practical to do so. The fact that it's leading to me carrying all manner of extra junk with me "because I can, and it might be useful" is a small problem by comparison.

[thirdworld.livejournal.com]

I was in the air when the story broke.

[dinogrl.livejournal.com]

Well, as I predicted, airline stocks are down, security and surveillance companies are up. Security has been raised to orange in the US, with flights from the UK on red. The Govenator has sent out the national guard, and business travel is going to be harsh. Casual travelers will just find it an annoyance. I am now definitely driving to WorldCon, even if it's after a long day at work. I am wondering if airlines will cease use of their stock headphones, too. My prayers go with all of you air travelers these next few weeks.
Even being captured, the terrorist organization has a somewhat desired effect, not the one they wanted, but I am sure they are happy with the ensuing chaos.

Damn, where were those transporters we were promised?

[elaine-brennan.livejournal.com]

Marc's mother is in the UK, scheduled to fly home on Tuesday.

Being his usual helpful self, Marc sent her the sailing schedule for the Queen Mary.

And meanwhile, when we drove past the Pentagon a couple of hours ago, there wasn't even a normal Saturday-night's worth of cars in the parking lot ... things were clearly quiet there.

I'm tired of so much security as theatre performances put on by the TSA and those who've adopted their perspective (and taken their money).

This plan was broken up by investigative police work -- and it seems to me that that's where the USA and other countries can be best spending their dollars, not on attempting to stop terrorist activities by luck, stupidities, or bluster when it's close to too late.

The chemicals experts

[dragonet2.livejournal.com]

posting over at Making Light point out that the whole effort is so much window-dressing because just about anything that you could use to cause an explosion that can be carried in such small amounts will go through just about any container except a stainless steel container. Even the components. "I hope they make lots of (I don't remember the acronym). We can find them by the burned holes they leave.

Just sayiing

(Erik joins the list of those I know who I say to, "You did THAT, got to WHAT age and still have all 10 fingers. Kewl.")