CONSUMER NEWS    RECALLS    COMPLAINT FORM    SCAM ALERTS  


Complain about a product or service

Small Claims Guide | Class Actions | Lemon Law | FAQ | Resources | Newsletters | Spanish
Automotive    Education    Electronics    Family    Finance    Health    Homeowners    Shopping    Travel   
TRAVEL   Airlines |  Bus Lines |  Car Rental |  Cruises |  Destinations |  Hotels |  Travel Agents |  Trains

Airport Security Rules Change Again

Both U.S. and U.K. Modify New Anti-Terror Rules





By Dan Schlossberg
ConsumerAffairs.com

September 26, 2006

Airport Security
TSA Suspends "Clear" Program After Laptop Theft
TSA's Air Cargo Plans Questioned
TSA Stops ShoeScanner In Its Tracks
New Controversy Dogs TSA Chief
TSA Worries About Terrorist 'Rehearsals'
"Registered Traveler" Expands to More Airports
Lighters, Breast Milk Get TSA's OK
JFK Airport Plot Renews Calls for Worker Screening
Future Security Could Feature Facial Photos
Bush May Veto Airport Screening Machines
Competition Comes to Registered Traveler Services
TSA Dragnet Aims to Block Potential Threats
Screening the Screeners Isn't Enough to Ensure Airport Security
Naked City Comes to Life in Phoenix Airport
TSA Adds Security Checks for Airport Employees

To say airport security policies are liquid would be the understatement of the year.

Rules seem to change daily, confusing passengers, airport officials, and agents charged with enforcing them.

In the latest switch, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has eased tight restrictions enacting last month after British authorities thwarted a terrorist plot involving liquid explosives.

British authorities relaxed their stringent rules a few days ago. Larger bags and musical instruments are now allowed, though liquids of all kinds remain strictly prohibited.

For U.S. passengers, however, security restrictions remain much more stringest than they were before revelation of the plot on August 10.

Not all liquids are banned anymore but not all are acceptable either.

According to the latest TSA move, liquids are allowed through security checkpoints if they are in 3-ounce containers (such as trial-size toiletries commonly available at drug stores). In addition, they must be placed in a single, one-quart, clear plastic bag that must be sent through the security X-ray machine separately from carry-on bags.

Some liquid medications are also allowed, including four ounces of non-prescription medications (i.e. Visine and other eye-care products) or five ounces of juices, baby formula, and breast milk. Prescription medications that match the name on the ticket are also allowed, but apparently must be in their original bottles - and not in the plastic day-by-day containers so many travelers (including this columnist) use.

Easing the iron-clad ban makes life easier for women worried about mascara, lip gloss, and other beauty items disappearing in transit but may make for longer waits at security checkpoints -- at least until passengers and officers indicate they understand and will abide by the new regulations.

At the same time, however, relaxing the ban should ease the strain on the airline baggage handlers, who had to cope with a 20 per cent increase in checked luggage since the imposition of the Aug. 10 ban.

The ban was imposed in mid-August after authorities uncovered a terrorist plot that would have involved mixing liquid chemicals and detonators in flight. Thousands of flights were cancelled, hundreds were delayed, and fifteen alleged conspirators were jailed in England.

According to TSA chief Kip Hawley, the ban on liquids was relaxed after FBI tests indicated that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to make a bomb from liquid components while in flight.

Critics of the relaxed rules suggest that the near-return to old rules will make aircraft cabin compartments overcrowded again and cause considerable delays in boarding. They also suggest that loopholes remain in the system used by the TSA to screen checked bags for explosives.

Critics also contend that the TSA bowed to public pressure in relaxing the ban on liquids.

U.K. Rules

In London, passengers flying to the United States still cannot carry any liquids -- even those purchased at the airport after the first security checkpoint. A second search, at the departure gate, is designed to enforce that ban.

On the other hand, passengers can now board with a carry-on measuring no more than 22 inches long, 17.7 inches wide, or 9.8 inches tall. Large musical instruments can also be carried on board, though some passengers may be required to buy an extra ticket to accommodate them.

As in the U.S., constantly-changing security procedures have confused passengers, airport officials, and even the security officers assigned to protect outbound flights. To make things easier for all, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the airlines themselves are trying to find common ground in their requirements and restrictions.

A meeting of EU ministers in Finland earlier this month addressed airport security issues, emphasizing new technology designed to detect explosives.

The slight relaxation of security standards at United Kingdom airports does not mean safety will be compromised. In fact, the Transport Department said it was working to enable passengers to travel as freely as possible but would not compromise its "rigorous" security regime.

The key, according to government and security officials, is to balance safety with convenience. In England, they call that task a sticky wicket.



Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.


Consumer News

September 5 2008




FREE CONSUMER NEWSLETTERS

The Daily Consumer
Afternoons M-F

Sign up now!


Consumer News & Alerts
Every Sunday

Sign up now!


Knowledge is free.
Knowledge is power.



Back to the top |

Advertisement


Home | Complaint Form | News | Recalls | FAQ |
Consumer Resources | Small Claims Guide | Lemon Law | Newsletter | Contact Us
Advertise With Us | Testimonials | Newsroom | RSS Feeds |


Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2008 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.