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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that the reason for liquids restrictions at airports is commercial rather than security?

71 replies

mustbetimeforacreamtea · 17/08/2014 23:37

Just back from holiday and it struck me that all the items (bodywash, shampoo, toothpaste, make up, perfume) is all stuff you can buy and take on board without restriction once you are in the departure lounge.

Most annoying was buying a bottle of water in the airport only to have it taken off me unopened at security. Then once in the lounge several vending machines selling exactly the same thing. Hmm

OP posts:
HauntedNoddyCar · 17/08/2014 23:41

But you could have changed the contents of the bottle between the shop and security.
Or swapped the bottle.

If you argued that you should be advised that you will lose your purchase if not consumed before security then I'd think that was fair.

StetsonsAreCool · 17/08/2014 23:41

YABU, it's definitely for security.

All the things you've mentioned are things you can pack in your checked in luggage. You can still take them on holiday, you just can't carry them onto the plane with you. You don't have to buy them at the airport.

And the no liquids is not a new thing, so more fool you for not waiting to buy the water until you got through security. Fair enough if you're so thirsty you can't wait until you're through, but if the water was unopened then you were planning to drink it on that side anyway.

500smiles · 17/08/2014 23:43

What Stetson said

Original poster
mustbetimeforacreamtea · 17/08/2014 23:58

Stetson - I know the restrictions have been in place for years but I haven't flown anywhere for years and didn't think about not being able to take it through. Neither did the sales assistant remind me.

Good to know I'm an unreasonable fool.

OP posts:
IScreamForIceCream · 18/08/2014 00:01

Didn't you see the signs about no liquids over 100ml as you went through security?

londonrach · 18/08/2014 00:02

Take empty bottle through and refill. Be doing that since these restrictions

Alisvolatpropiis · 18/08/2014 00:08

Yabu

Original poster
mustbetimeforacreamtea · 18/08/2014 00:22

Is - didn't see any signs but also was trying to keep an eye on ds.

I gather the restrictions are being lifted anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
mustbetimeforacreamtea · 18/08/2014 00:33

Ok then. AIBU to think that the accountants at BAA are very much in favour of security restrictions.

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 18/08/2014 00:42

All business's capable of functioning are in favour of restrictions, such as the DPA.

Don't really understand how you are linking the two,

ElephantsNeverForgive · 18/08/2014 00:42

When they give everyone a free bottle of water the far side of security I'll have a bit more patience.

Not letting you take empty clear sports bottles through is ridiculous. If you were going to mix a bomb, you'd just use the clear bag.

Tikimon · 18/08/2014 00:45

The number of terrorists airport security has caught: 0

Just look at the Christmas airport bomber who made it through.

It's a facade to make you feel safe.

Really, if you think about it, with all the people in one area, you're more likely to be killed by a suicide bomber standing in line where there's no security than you are in the air. They'd get more people that way too.

Comforting article about why airport security is ineffective

ElephantsNeverForgive · 18/08/2014 01:14

Ok it was pre 911, but DH got his large leatherman style multi tool complete with serious knife blade through in xrayed hand luggage.

Complete accident, he uses it all the time at work and he'd stuck it in at the last minute and meant to move it into the case. Two small DDs and he forgot until we'd checked in the bagage. They are £50 quid so he didn't want to hand it in.

I wouldn't say what he did, but it's not difficult.

FamiliesShareGerms · 18/08/2014 01:47

YABU

sleepywombat · 18/08/2014 01:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JellyTipisthebest · 18/08/2014 03:37

My husbands cycle tool thing made it through at heathrow post 9/11. His bag was searched as it had a medical machine in with batteries. It looked like full on security we were all padded down shoes off felt under breasts ect. It was horrible. We then got to Singapore, after are stop over we went through security and they found it. We were so surprised as we didn't know it was there. He was using the bag he cycled to work with. The had comon sense and put in in an envelope and gave it to the crew who gave it back when we landed.

MrsEricBana · 18/08/2014 03:45

Nope sorry yabu. It is made very clear that you can't take any containers of liquid more than 100ml through security. Put all your toiletries in luggage and drink your drinks before go through.

Laurel1979 · 18/08/2014 07:39

It used to annoy me that when I brought 100ml of baby milk in a bottle for DS they made me taste it at security, but I could swan ahead with 100mls of shampoo.

Eastpoint · 18/08/2014 07:50

We were in San Francisco recently & saw this before we went through security. Then there were water fountains where we could refill after security.

Wasn't there an attempt at bomb making using liquids in 2006, which is why they changed the restrictions?

to think that the reason for liquids restrictions at airports is commercial rather than security?
MissPenelopeLumawoo · 18/08/2014 07:56

Does anyone know if it is different if the liquid is essential medicine? Sorry I have not flown for years but we are thinking about it for next year. If you need to administer the medicine during the flight, or are just worried about it being flung about and therefore the bottle breaking if you check it into the hold? The regulations seem to be a bit vague, and depend on the airlines being ok with it on the day of the flight. I don't want to shell out for a holiday and then find they won't let us on the plane at the last moment. Has anyone had experience of this?

SilverShadows · 18/08/2014 08:14

If it is prescribed medicine, in the original bottle then it's fine, although a GP note would back you up just in case. We've not had any issues and we fly about twice a year.

If it is over the counter stuff they will make you ditch it and re-buy once past security.

Sleepthief · 18/08/2014 08:15

Yes Eastpoint. - August 2006 I flew late the day before all UK airports went into lockdown because there had been an attempt to bring explosives onto a plane in liquid form.

Original poster
mustbetimeforacreamtea · 18/08/2014 08:19

Just observed the numbers of people having stuff confiscated, particularly make up, then rushing to replace it in duty free. Plus lots of people stocking up on toiletries in Boots. The shops/airports are benefitting from the restrictions.

OP posts:
ChasedByBees · 18/08/2014 08:23

They're benefiting from people not reading the very large signs everywhere.

HappyAgainOneDay · 18/08/2014 08:27

We soon learn though. I use contact lenses and take them out for the night. I use saline water when flying long hall nighttime rather than the disinfectant liquid. I had my bottle of saline water confiscated at Heathrow but I argued and we reached a compromise. I was allowed to fill my little pot with the water but the rest of it was removed. After I returned, I was able to buy an empty 100 ml bottle at Superdrug and now just use that for overnight flights.