gerisullivan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
gerisullivan) wrote2006-08-10 04:49 am
gerisullivan) wrote2006-08-10 04:49 am
And just how well is this going to work?
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.
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.
Oh foo, the paranoia seems to be spreading ...
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 ...
I haven't heard about "purse restrictions" hitting the states yet.
Re: Oh foo, the paranoia seems to be spreading ...
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