In light of recent events, there are a few things I have learned from our travel agent, the second largest book for American Airlines. I also have the following data from United Airlines.
Please note that I have not updated my travel tips section to reflect any of my thoughts that may now be void because of these new regs. I am also told that in many airports you are now allowed only one carryon plus a purse or briefcase. From the reports of my coworkers the laptop bag busting at the seams is considered your carryon if you have that and a rollerboard/pullman.
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United Issues Consumer Advisory on Ticketing Policy
19Sep2001, 3:15PM, EST
United Airlines today
issued a consumer advisory clarifying new
procedures for customers at airports. Under the new FAA directives,
ticketed customers must have one of the following to proceed beyond the
security checkpoint:
* Electronic ticket receipt
* United.com confirmation
* Travel agency itinerary
* Boarding pass
Customers not holding one of the above forms of documentation must check
in at ticket counters in the airport lobby.
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The following items are no longer permitted on aircraft. If you have these items in a bag you will either check the bag before security or they will be confiscated.
-toy or replica guns
(plastic or metal)
-household cutlery
-knives with blades of any length
-steel nail files
-paper knife
-razor blades
-tradesmen's tools
-darts
scissors of any size
-umbrella's with pointed tip
-hypodermic syringes
-knitting needles
-sporting bats
-golf clubs
-billiard or pool cues
-slingshots
-corkscrews
So what does this mean? Despite what humor you may see, any of these can be available as a weapon. But what about people with diabetes? Does this mean that they will not be allowed to bring their insulin and syringes on the plane? What about people on other prescription drugs? Before, the industry always urged people to carry on all prescriptions. This is a situation that simply does not have a straightforward answer. And it brings a whole new meaning to the concept of a few people ruining it for everyone.
There have also been calls of people having anything from toothbrushes to nail clippers confiscated.
What about hairdryers and corded electric shavers? The electrical cords are certainly a weapon.
Roe and Gary suggested that they install the big rollbars like the ones on rollercoasters across all seats on the plane. IF you need to be up then a Sky Marshal escorts you to the bath room and back. Otherwise, you stay seated.
On WLS (AM 890 Chicago) a lady called in and said her makeup compact was confiscated because it contained a mirror that could be broken then whose edge could be used as a weapon.
So what does this mean? Will they remove all glass from the airplane? Will people who have prescription eyeglasses be required to check them to baggage?
Also on WLS an ORD (Chicago O'haRe fielD employee said that security for employees has not tightened. She said the person watching the gate was just looking for badges, not reconciling pictures to faces even.
How do other countries handle this? At German airports, you generally get one carry on. NO EXCEPTIONS. When you walk the terminal you will routinely see personnel armed with machine guns travelling in groups of two. These aren't your McDonalds night manager rejects, either. They are trained, fit military personnel that you wouldn't want any part of even IF they didn't have machine guns!
I think that we should federalize security. Make it a nice 15 to 20 dollar an hour job. That's more money than a lot of degreed people make. And I hear that you can apply to be a Sky Marshall but the cap is 37 years of age. That gives me a new career plan for seven years!