new airport security

[christvida]

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I just received an email from my univ. department about traveling. Today the airports are stepping up security measures. I'll post a little of what the email said...I know a lot of us are traveling for interviews right now.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be 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. TSA is immediately implementing following changes to airport screening procedures:
NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.
Exception: 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; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines
* Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
* Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.
Some measures will not be visible to the public. In light of the elevated threat level, the Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS) will provide expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United States.
These measures will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. DHS and its components have coordinated closely with the air carrier industry, airports, and state and local stakeholders to implement these significant, but necessary, security measures. The traveling public can assist these agencies in carrying out their important security duties by:
* Packing lightly, without clutter to facilitate easier screening.
* Check with your air carrier well before your flight departs for information on when you shoudl arrive at the airport.
* Cooperating with TSA personnel at all checkpoints and gates because TSA Security Officers will be checking carry-on baggage at the gate.
* Being attentive and vigilant to any suspicious activity.
Protecting U.S.Borders. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will increase enforcement efforts in international arrival areas including the use of advanced targeting tools, special response teams including baggage and aircraft search teams, baggage x-ray equipment, specially-trained canine units, and explosive detection technology.
DHS has also mandated that all flights from the U.K. transmit passenger manifest information for intensive screening prior to departure from the gate. In addition, passengers on these flights and all other international flights will be subject to heightened inspection upon arrival in the U.S.

 

[Richspiders07]

I just received an email from my univ. department about traveling. Today the airports are stepping up security measures. I'll post a little of what the email said...I know a lot of us are traveling for interviews right now.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be 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. TSA is immediately implementing following changes to airport screening procedures:
NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.
Exception: 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; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines
* Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.
* Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.
Some measures will not be visible to the public. In light of the elevated threat level, the Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS) will provide expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United States.
These measures will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. DHS and its components have coordinated closely with the air carrier industry, airports, and state and local stakeholders to implement these significant, but necessary, security measures. The traveling public can assist these agencies in carrying out their important security duties by:
* Packing lightly, without clutter to facilitate easier screening.
* Check with your air carrier well before your flight departs for information on when you shoudl arrive at the airport.
* Cooperating with TSA personnel at all checkpoints and gates because TSA Security Officers will be checking carry-on baggage at the gate.
* Being attentive and vigilant to any suspicious activity.
Protecting U.S.Borders. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will increase enforcement efforts in international arrival areas including the use of advanced targeting tools, special response teams including baggage and aircraft search teams, baggage x-ray equipment, specially-trained canine units, and explosive detection technology.
DHS has also mandated that all flights from the U.K. transmit passenger manifest information for intensive screening prior to departure from the gate. In addition, passengers on these flights and all other international flights will be subject to heightened inspection upon arrival in the U.S.

So much for saving time and not checking a bag... I kinda need to wash my hair and brush my teeth before the interview! 😉

 

[Dr.Acula]

Its been on every news station and website since late last night / early this morning...

 

[burntfries]

no liquids of any kind, not even a bottle of water? ugh...

 

[QuantumMechanic]

So much for saving time and not checking a bag... I kinda need to wash my hair and brush my teeth before the interview! 😉

yep, another pain in the ass to deal with at the airport

 

[Robizzle]

better safe than sorry

 

[QuantumMechanic]

better safe than sorry

better free than restricted

 

[saki0005]

I'm flying from Glasgow to Minneapolis in two weeks...PERFECT timing🙂

 

[DrVanNostran]

Are the new restrictions permanent? Not to be a jackass, but this will be a pain for interviews.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Are the new restrictions permanent? Not to be a jackass, but this will be a pain for interviews.

I think its just a conspiracy by those in-airport convenience stores that sell overpriced toothpaste...

 

[saki0005]

I think its just a conspiracy by those in-airport convenience stores that sell overpriced toothpaste...

i dare you to call the white house and share your thoughts
the news this morning said this could go on for at least the next 2 months.

 

[MasterMD]

groan... this means im gonna be getting a full body cavity search as opposed to the usual "spread-'em" humiliation. i don't mind it because i know it's necessary... i mind it because it's often racial profiling when they do the "random checks"

but yeah extra security measures are great to keep everyone safe... airport security really doesn't do a whole lot that they should be doing right now, so whatever we need to do, we need to do, right?

 

[QuantumMechanic]

i dare you to call the white house and share your thoughts
the news this morning said this could go on for at least the next 2 months.

I really just want to not have to fork over more money each time I interview just to have clean teeth. This is stupid since there's no way to permanently enact such an overarching rule that one could find an easy way around.

And what's these terrorists obsessions with airplanes????????? Can't they find another way to reek havoc other than ****ing with our transportation system?

 

[Looque]

no liquids of any kind, not even a bottle of water? ugh...

Yeah, after the terrorist plot foiled in Britain, the concern is for concealing explosives in liquid, and mixing them aboard the plane itself.

But yes, this will be really annoying for those short little trips where a checked back would otherwise be totally unnecessary. Interviews certainly fall into that category.

I hope that they also step up competency training in getting checked luggage from point A to point B.

 

[Compass]

It says you can keep them in checked luggage. What's wrong with checking your backpack in? 😱

 

[MasterMD]

I really just want to not have to fork over more money each time I interview just to have clean teeth. This is stupid since there's no way to permanently enact such an overarching rule that one could find an easy way around.

And what's these terrorists obsessions with airplanes????????? Can't they find another way to reek havoc other than ****ing with our transportation system?

i honestly don't think terrorists are dumb enough to do the same thing twice... but whatever mr. bush... 🙄 🙄

 

[Looque]

i honestly don't think terrorists are dumb enough to do the same thing twice... but whatever mr. bush... 🙄 🙄

Read the news. The new policy stems from recent developments in Britain.

It says you can keep them in checked luggage. What's wrong with checking your backpack in?

It's more a matter of convenience. If traveling light, it's just much less hassle to take a carry-on than check a bag. Plus, checking a bag carries the risk of the bag not reaching your destination with you.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

It says you can keep them in checked luggage. What's wrong with checking your backpack in? 😱

lost luggage on an interview is perhaps my worst nightmare.

"sorry I'm wearing a polo and jeans to this interview. United fvcked up my luggage again"

 

[DrVanNostran]

Yeah, after the terrorist plot foiled in Britain, the concern is for concealing explosives in liquid, and mixing them aboard the plane itself.

But yes, this will be really annoying for those short little trips where a checked back would otherwise be totally unnecessary. Interviews certainly fall into that category.

I hope that they also step up competency training in getting checked luggage from point A to point B.

I always have problems with that.

So what are you guys gonna do? Check in ur toiletries (sp?) and just take ur clothes aboard? There is no way I am checking in my suit and have that lost before an interview

 

[QuantumMechanic]

so I read they were going to detonate the explosive with an iPod...there goes the inflight entertainment as well...

 

[Looque]

I always have problems with that.

So what are you guys gonna do? Check in ur toiletries (sp?) and just take ur clothes aboard? There is no way I am checking in my suit and have that lost before an interview

If you're planning to stay with a current student when traveling for interviews, it's conceivable to coordinate with that student and ask, "Hey, would you mind if I use your toothpaste and/or shampoo?" If you explain the circumstances with flight security, they may be happy to help out. You could eliminate the need to bring any of those kinds of things with you.

 

[MasterMD]

Read the news. The new policy stems from recent developments in Britain.

if you've ever spoken to anyone in homeland security or the cia.. they don't publicize real threats that would be difficult to handle.. only "potential" ones that they know they can handle. i'm not saying it's made up, but realistically i think it's farthest from what we should expect.

anyway it's just what i think.. no debate necessary. i understand there is a lot about the system that neither you nor i nor anyone else can possibly know.

 

[MasterMD]

I always have problems with that.

So what are you guys gonna do? Check in ur toiletries (sp?) and just take ur clothes aboard? There is no way I am checking in my suit and have that lost before an interview

yeah i'm going to a wedding in under a week... im packing hundreds of dollars worth of clothes (indian so yes they're expensive)... i REALLY don't want to check my bag... my sister has had her bag lost 3 times. (they eventually found them but one took over 3 months)

 

[christvida]

groan... this means im gonna be getting a full body cavity search as opposed to the usual "spread-'em" humiliation. i don't mind it because i know it's necessary... i mind it because it's often racial profiling when they do the "random checks"

I don't know if they really go on racial profiling because every time I have traveled I am the one that is pulled aside. I'm a white female so I'm not sure what they go on. I just cringe when I hear "miss please step aside and follow me to this desk" You have to take off your shoes, belt, and put everything that is in your bag out on a table to open individually and check. Its a little embarrasing to be singled out like that.

 

[Anastasis]

groan... this means im gonna be getting a full body cavity search as opposed to the usual "spread-'em" humiliation. i don't mind it because i know it's necessary... i mind it because it's often racial profiling when they do the "random checks"

I don't know if they really go on racial profiling because every time I have traveled I am the one that is pulled aside. I'm a white female so I'm not sure what they go on. I just cringe when I hear "miss please step aside and follow me to this desk" You have to take off your shoes, belt, and put everything that is in your bag out on a table to open individually and check. Its a little embarrasing to be singled out like that.

I had my underwire bra set off the damn thing once and they said they had to feel for it to make sure it was really there. It was a guy, I was like, "Then you best call that woman over here because you're not touching me anywhere near there." 😡

 

[MollyMalone]

Even if you're not staying with a student or friend, most hotels will provide things like a small sample tube of toothpaste if you ask.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

This situation is rather inconvenient...I never imagined being unable to transport liquids on a plane.

But it really isn't that hard for a guy who knows chemistry to build an explosive device with simple household items.

From what I heard, contact lens solution is supposedly the most dangerous item, and if you have it, you probably won't get on your plane (apparently there was a 1995 attempt to blow up a plane using contact lens solution).

Unfortunately, there's not much choice but to check in the luggage and hope for the best.

It could have been worse though.

Personally, I'm glad.
-Dr. P.

 

[Looque]

I had my underwire bra set off the damn thing once and they said they had to feel for it to make sure it was really there. It was a guy, I was like, "Then you best call that woman over here because you're not touching me anywhere near there." 😡

Well, it's good that you at least asserted yourself.

About a month after September 11, 2001, I was flying to Seattle to visit the University of Washington (for undergrad). We had an exchange in Denver, and before boarding the flight, I was pulled aside for a more thorough search. I had to take off my belt, unbutton/unzip my fly, put my arms out from my side and spread my legs. The shorts I was wearing were admittedly a little too big around the waist, so I had to really spread my legs just to prevent the shorts from falling to the ground in the middle of the airport.

 

[Looque]

Even if you're not staying with a student or friend, most hotels will provide things like a small sample tube of toothpaste if you ask.

I didn't know that. Of course, the shampoo is always waiting for you in the shower, but I had never thought to ask for toothpaste.

 

[notdeadyet]

And what's these terrorists obsessions with airplanes????????? Can't they find another way to reek havoc other than ****ing with our transportation system?

Or why don't they target our railways? Amtrak is pretty much on the verge of total destruction anyway...

 

[ariverk]

Or why don't they target our railways? Amtrak is pretty much on the verge of total destruction anyway...

I hear that, I was supposed to take an Amtrack 2 weeks ago that was 9+ hours late departing 😡 ... needless to say it ended up being more time efficient and only slightly more expensive to rent a car. but hey, they have a very good refund policy!

 

[chewsnuffles]

Yeah, after the terrorist plot foiled in Britain, the concern is for concealing explosives in liquid, and mixing them aboard the plane itself.

But yes, this will be really annoying for those short little trips where a checked back would otherwise be totally unnecessary. Interviews certainly fall into that category.

I hope that they also step up competency training in getting checked luggage from point A to point B.

Sounds like a chemistry major who didn't get into med school putting his skills to work or something...
bigger MD classes will stop terrorism...

But really, thank god they stopped that. This one for me is way scarrier than some nut case with a shoe bomb...
I really think that the "liquid bomb" would have worked perfectly... i mean, I dont know the chemicles, but they WOULD have gotten them on, no doubt...
as for my nail clippers... thats a different story
Oh, and I fly home from amsterdam next wedensday, pray for me, k?

 

[chewsnuffles]

Or why don't they target our railways? Amtrak is pretty much on the verge of total destruction anyway...

The west coast line has LOWER priority than the freight line(since they own the line), which means that burlington northern gets to pass the passenger trains with priority, making them wait like 10-30 minutes for open rail.

 

[Compass]

Well, then, carry clothes on backpack, by goods such as toothpaste or whatever there, or maybe visit a hotel and ask for samples, being a poor pre-medical student. Hey, they give them out anyways. 😱

 

[MirrorTodd]

How come noone believes this terror plot was actually real and was actually foiled? As far as I know, our government had nothing to do with it. It was all the British agencies. You're all going to be terrible doctors becuase you care more about your toothpaste than the people who were saved when the planes didn't explode. /sarcasm

 

[saki0005]

why isn't anyone addressing the obvious problem here:
how will I take care of my dry airplane skin without LOTION! seriously, if i get my hands on those terrorists.

 

[ClockworkDoc]

So when do you think they will start putting cameras in the airplane bathrooms? I mean, the plan was to build the bombs with the explosive once they got on board the plane.

 

[saki0005]

So when do you think they will start putting cameras in the airplane bathrooms? I mean, the plan was to build the bombs with the explosive once they got on board the plane.

never...

 

[aliendancer84]

I had my underwire bra set off the damn thing once and they said they had to feel for it to make sure it was really there. It was a guy, I was like, "Then you best call that woman over here because you're not touching me anywhere near there." 😡

Same thing happened to me!!! And EVERY time I fly I get pulled out of line...

 

[MasterMD]

Same thing happened to me!!! And EVERY time I fly I get pulled out of line...

i guess i must have different underwire!!

 

[Guile]

groan... this means im gonna be getting a full body cavity search as opposed to the usual "spread-'em" humiliation. i don't mind it because i know it's necessary... i mind it because it's often racial profiling when they do the "random checks"

I'm just about as WASP as they come, and I still get pulled aside for "extra screening" (read: wand-raping). I don't mind. They're just doing their job. I've found that if you're really nice and understanding to them instead of being a real prick about it, the whole thing goes a lot faster and everyone's happier. So why do you mind racial profiling? I mean, it's not very applicable seeing as you're Indian, but isn't it just common sense? How many 9/11 attackers were Muslim? Arab or Pakistani? Male? Between the ages of 18 and 35? I think I'm seeing a pattern here. Why don't we focus a little more attention on them since, even just using statistics, they're more likely to be terrorists? I have several Arab friends who say they liked the extra screening they received post-9/11, and now they don't get it like they used to, and they feel less safe. Why should we hassle Chinese grandmothers and make them get patted down when Arab males get no extra attention? It just makes no sense. (I don't know. Maybe it does if you're liberal.)

yeah i'm going to a wedding in under a week... im packing hundreds of dollars worth of clothes (indian so yes they're expensive)... i REALLY don't want to check my bag... my sister has had her bag lost 3 times. (they eventually found them but one took over 3 months)

Why don't you pack all of your expensive clothes in your carry-on and then any liquids you have in your checked bag? What's the big deal? Wouldn't you rather the government keep us safe? After 9/11, everyone attacked the Bush administration because he "let it happen." Now, he's keeping us safe and everyone freaks out because they can't carry their toothpaste aboard. Go watch United 93 and then see how you feel about not being able to carry a liquid aboard. Get a grip guys. Like someone else said, we should think about the lives saved by thwarting this attack, not the fact we can't carry liquids aboard.

Me

<-- everyone else

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Why don't you pack all of your expensive clothes in your carry-on and then any liquids you have in your checked bag? What's the big deal? Wouldn't you rather the government keep us safe? After 9/11, everyone attacked the Bush administration because he "let it happen." Now, he's keeping us safe and everyone freaks out because they can't carry their toothpaste aboard. Go watch United 93 and then see how you feel about not being able to carry a liquid aboard. Get a grip guys. Like someone else said, we should think about the lives saved by thwarting this attack, not the fact we can't carry liquids aboard.

we don't want to check in luggage, the airlines are incompetent. Things such as toothpaste, lotion, and any liquid for that matter are so ubiquitous that its impossible to catch every item that falls under this list. You can't just run it through a metal detector,and people will can always find ways to bring such items in. So what should we do? Change our foreign policy so that we don't play into the terrorists hands (e.g. invading a sovereign nation in the middle east/having military bases in Saudi Arabia/supporting Israel's occupation of Palestinian areas like the West Bank and Gaza), all of which ultimately depend on our ability to become independent of foreign oil and eventually oil altogether. This isn't a liberal or a conservative view, it is a realistic one that looks at why Islamic terrorists hate the West and especially America.

 

[justblaze]

we don't want to check in luggage, the airlines are incompetent. Things such as toothpaste, lotion, and any liquid for that matter are so ubiquitous that its impossible to catch every item that falls under this list. You can't just run it through a metal detector,and people will can always find ways to bring such items in. So what should we do? Change our foreign policy so that we don't play into the terrorists hands (e.g. invading a sovereign nation in the middle east/having military bases in Saudi Arabia/supporting Israel's occupation of Palestinian areas like the West Bank and Gaza), all of which ultimately depend on our ability to become independent of foreign oil and eventually oil altogether. This isn't a liberal or a conservative view, it is a realistic one that looks at why Islamic terrorists hate the West and especially America.

haha, i dont think we wanna open that can of worms here. Its gonna make affirmative actions debate look like nothing

 

[QuantumMechanic]

haha, i dont think we wanna open that can of worms here. Its gonna make affirmative actions debate look like nothing

haha ya really...

 

[DropkickMurphy]

All the more reason to fly Premed Airlines (the private flight service I'm starting)

"When you absolutely positively want to not dick with airport security, fly Premed"

 

[mmmkay121]

Bomb made from soft drinks 😱 ! Any chemists here know what that's about? Diet Coke & huge box full of Mentos?

 

[Caristra]

Woah, not wearing underwire to the airport. Nobody besides for my Dr. has ever felt me up in that area and I am not having some randomairpoty person do it. Thanks for the heads up Anastasis!

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Nobody besides for my Dr. has ever felt me up in that area

What about your boyfriend?

 

[Caristra]

What about your boyfriend?

nonexistent 😛 So really the situation has never presented itself.

It took forever once for the airport people to realize that the decorative buttons on my moms hat were making the detector go off. it was hysterical, when we finally figured it out. Even the security people were cracking up.

 

[Anastasis]

Woah, not wearing underwire to the airport. Nobody besides for my Dr. has ever felt me up in that area and I am not having some randomairpoty person do it. Thanks for the heads up Anastasis!

It only happened once but that was enough to make me always wear a cami on the plane.🙄