Extra Security Precautions and time due to foiled attack on 12/25/09

[Sunviking]

On the Regent BB there was a post with a link to an article re: extra TSA precautions and time due to yesterday's attempted terrorist event on a Northwest flight to Detroit. Thought anyone flying soon might be interested so you can allow extra time to get through security.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1108672

[greatam]

On the Regent BB there was a post with a link to an article re: extra TSA precautions and time due to yesterday's attempted terrorist event on a Northwest flight to Detroit. Thought anyone flying soon might be interested so you can allow extra time to get through security.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1108672

 

I flew from LAX to JFK last evening. I could see no extra security. I am currently at JFK and see very little additional security. Binary explosives are almost impossible to identify WITHOUT strip searching everyone or using the "whole body see through scanners" (which the ACLU is all over).

 

For the next few days, there will be very slow lines with people returning from Xmas holiday and bringing on Grandma's jam, Aunt Elsie's picante sauce, etc.

 

See this thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1108647 for more info about binary explosives and why it is truly impossible to stop this kind of thing.

[Times Prince]

Here is the link directly to the TSA statements on the incident

 

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/northwest_statement.shtm

 

In these statements they say that extra screenings etc will be random in nature.

[Av8tor]

Supposedly there are no real changes to domestic US security procedures. HOWEVER, there are changes to procedures in Europe for flight to the US for at least the next 3 days. I've heard that there are more body searches (I'm assuming these are with hand-held scanning wands), secondary screening/searches at the gates and limiting carry-on items to one per passenger.

 

If you're coming to the US soon, be prepared for additional time at the airport...

[grams98]

so, would the one carry on include flights of san juan? i wanted to bring a caary on and a purse?? thanks, grams98

[sarge98]

so, would the one carry on include flights of san juan? i wanted to bring a caary on and a purse?? thanks, grams98

 

I'm in Detroit, local TV news mentioned only carry on baggage will be carefully searched, nothing at this time not to bring on any carryons. I will be keeping up on this stuff wife an I are flying Delta to San Juan next month.

[vickie_bernie]

here is a link on flights leaving from Canada and the new security measures...

 

http://travel.ca.msn.com/canadianpress-article.aspx?cp-documentid=23144476

 

the news just said that they will be reviewing the higher security measures over the next few days, so can't confirm how long this will be going on for, so be prepared if you are boarding a flight into the United States.

 

We are driving to Seattle and boarding our flight there to FLL, so I am looking for any added security measures there.

[gooch47]

This morning's paper mentioned no using the bathroom the last hour of the flight. Any confirmations on that? :o

[Coral]

This morning's paper mentioned no using the bathroom the last hour of the flight. Any confirmations on that? :o

 

I just heard no access to your laptop in the last hour is a possible addition (on ABC news) in the future so I googled it and read "no access to personal possessions" which I interpreted (maybe wrongly) as your carry ons. Not sure the last hour is so important??

[chamima]

I am also in Detroit and they are saying to arrive 3 hours before domestic flights and 4 hours before international. (:eek:)

Also, the last hour on the plane you must stay in your seat, no access to carry-ons and nothing (no pillows, blankets,etc.) on your lap. So, if you're asleep with a blanket over you it looks like they'll wake you to take the blanket away.

This guy seems to have done this out in the open so I don't understand. :confused:

The sad thing is that our local news seems to be loving the attention we're getting.:(

[Mabers]

Does anybody know if the cruise ships might wait for passengers who have been held up due to added security? There could be several!

I have 4 family members at the airport now.....missed their flight to Charlotte, so prob'ly the connecting one to FLL too!

Any news from the cruise lines? They're not open 'til 9AM.

Thanks,

 

M.

[Coral]

Does anybody know if the cruise ships might wait for passengers who have been held up due to added security? There could be several!

I have 4 family members at the airport now.....missed their flight to Charlotte, so prob'ly the connecting one to FLL too!

Any news from the cruise lines? They're not open 'til 9AM.

Thanks,

 

M.

 

There are a lot of factors involved in if cruise ships wait (how many are on the planes, how much extra port fees are, how close the next port is, etc...). It really is impossible to predict. There were a lot of people who did miss their cruises last weekend due to blizzards on the east coast and flight delays - so ships do sail with out passengers when passengers are intransit.

 

Call the cruise line and hope that your relatives make it in time. In the future - advise them to fly in a day early. Sometimes, even that won't help the situation. We have had blizzard conditions for the last 4 days where I live and I doubt I could have made a flight to FLL to catch a ship this weekend.

[pablo222]

Also, the last hour on the plane you must stay in your seat, no access to carry-ons and nothing (no pillows, blankets,etc.) on your lap.

:(

 

Is this one hour before the schedule end of the flight, or do you get

more time on northwest when they overshoot the airport by

a couple hundred miles, wake up and turn back? Doesn't

seem right that the passengers can't have a blanket when

the cockpit crew is asleep.

 

But seriously, how does this help?

 

If you're a terrorist, buy a watch, and commence lighting your

underwear on fire 90 minutes before the end of the flight.

 

Seems like a pretty much knee-jerk reaction to a single case.

 

A better solution might be to figure out how the guy brought PETN

onboard the plane, and a way to prevent it.

[Cruiserkenn]

I flew domestically, from Detroit Metro to Chicago Midway, yesterday, via Southwest. Not much of a problem. (This was on the afternoon of 12/26.)

 

Detroit Metro was easy and calm: no huge lines, contrary to the reports on CNN. (The one funny thing: TSA thoroughly checked and swabbed my book, Sibley Guide to Trees, which was in my carry on. The Sibley Guide finally cleared security, thank goodness. Pretty suspicious!

 

It was snowing at Chicago Midway, and the snowplows were plowing the runways, in between each landing. Mother Nature was the scariest encounter of the day.

 

Security lines at Chicago Midway appeared to be normal, as well.

[Coral]

 

Seems like a pretty much knee-jerk reaction to a single case.

 

 

It seems like a lot of airport security policies are re-acting to a single situation. Sad, but true.

[dan_and_joe]

We were supposed to leave from Montreal to FLL on January 1st to board the Crown Princess on Jan 2nd. Our original flight had a 60 minutes lay over in Newark (with a change of terminal...), so I was already stressed with that! After seeing the new security measures for international flights, we've decided to change our flight for a direct flight and leave one day earlier.

 

Yeah, we had to pay fees and book one extra hotel night, but now we are going to be celebrating New Year's Eve in FLL!

 

The only thing stressing me out now is that we're only allowed to carry on one personal item on the plane and I usually bring on board one personnal item plus a carry on luggage with wheels packed with "back up clothes" in case our checked luggage gets lost...

[Coral]

 

The only thing stressing me out now is that we're only allowed to carry on one personal item on the plane and I usually bring on board one personnal item plus a carry on luggage with wheels packed with "back up clothes" in case our checked luggage gets lost...

 

What airline is allowing only 1 personal item (verses a purse and a carry-on)?

 

I ran into this at Heathrow once but haven't heard of it recently.

 

You made the right decision in making the changes to your flight.

[Daniel1313]

We were supposed to leave from Montreal to FLL on January 1st to board the Crown Princess on Jan 2nd. Our original flight had a 60 minutes lay over in Newark (with a change of terminal...), so I was already stressed with that! After seeing the new security measures for international flights, we've decided to change our flight for a direct flight and leave one day earlier.

 

Yeah, we had to pay fees and book one extra hotel night, but now we are going to be celebrating New Year's Eve in FLL!

 

The only thing stressing me out now is that we're only allowed to carry on one personal item on the plane and I usually bring on board one personnal item plus a carry on luggage with wheels packed with "back up clothes" in case our checked luggage gets lost...

That's one of the problems with the addded cost to check your luggage. Everyone tries to bring too many carry on items on board. Also, ones that are too big for the overhead compartments. Not everyone is able to find a spot for a carry on because of inconsiderate people bringing on too much stuff...

[cruz chic]

What airline is allowing only 1 personal item (verses a purse and a carry-on)?

 

.

I'm wondering if it's all of them. As far as I know both Westjet and Air Canada are doing this. Don't know about US airlines.

[donna5]

What airline is allowing only 1 personal item (verses a purse and a carry-on)?

 

I ran into this at Heathrow once but haven't heard of it recently.

 

You made the right decision in making the changes to your flight.

 

I believe over the weekend the news said the U.K. airlines were doing this. It may have been elswhere too, but I vaguely remember this being reported.

[Woobstr112G]

On the Regent BB there was a post with a link to an article re: extra TSA precautions and time due to yesterday's attempted terrorist event on a Northwest flight to Detroit. Thought anyone flying soon might be interested so you can allow extra time to get through security.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1108672

 

 

Ann;

 

Grrrrrrr, What next......:mad::mad::mad:

 

Bob

btw, Hope you had a great Christmas

[Pam in CA]

This morning's paper mentioned no using the bathroom the last hour of the flight. Any confirmations on that? :o

I've read that if it's a bathroom emergency, ring for the steward(ess) and they will escort you.

 

I just heard no access to your laptop in the last hour is a possible addition (on ABC news) in the future so I googled it and read "no access to personal possessions" which I interpreted (maybe wrongly) as your carry ons. Not sure the last hour is so important??

What I'm reading from several sources is that absolutely everything must be stowed away at least an hour before landing. Including books, newspapers, iPods, etc. Electronic devices must be turned off 1 1/2 hours before landing. Not sure what parents with small children will do, particularly if they have ear problems as the plane descends.

 

I've read that some airports are doing a hand check of ALL carry-ons and wanding for EVERYONE going through Security, causing huge lines and long waits. Also, people who bought anything liquid after going through Security are not being allowed to bring it on the plane. Including water, sodas, juice, etc.

 

I feel for those people who booked very early flights home based on what other people have posted, i.e., how quick and easy it is to get off the ship and to the gate with plenty of time to spare. Oh well... it's all in the planning.

[A&L_Ont]

I think if it continues on like this we might just drive down from Canada to FLL. That has a tone of sarcasim as well as a tone of truth. At least we can pull over and go to the washroom. Hopefully these restrictions will conclude in the near future for all those travelling.

 

I wonder if it will be like The A-Team where they'll soon have to knock us all unconsious before we fly, until we arrive at our final destination point... you know like they did to BA Baracus.:rolleyes:

[MBP&O2/O]

We are flying Virgin Atlantic on 9th January (LHR / MIA) and they have restricted the handbaggage to one item per person. They are currently quoting a 3 hr delay to all flights. Fortunatley we are overnighting in Miami with an 11:30 flight tp San Juan the next day (American Airlines).

The return journey is a bummer - not only will we probably miss our connecting flight in the UK but probably the one after that as well!!!

[dan_and_joe]

What airline is allowing only 1 personal item (verses a purse and a carry-on)?

 

I ran into this at Heathrow once but haven't heard of it recently.

 

You made the right decision in making the changes to your flight.

 

Air Canada is advising its passenger to bring only one personnal item on board since Christmas day. They also lifted all checked luggage fees to compensate for this inconvinience... I don't know about other airlines.

 

And now that the same incident happened AGAIN in Detroit today (I'm glued to CNN!) I'm so relieved I've changed my flight!!