What was flying like before 9/11?

[Wandafishcake]

I was 14 in 2001, I remember that security processes at airports got much tighter and more time consuming following 9/11, but I can’t properly remember what it was like before? Was the security much quicker and less intense? Could you take more things into the cabin with you?

I get stopped every single time. It doesn’t matter where. I had to change my cabin bag as it was constantly flagging up as positive for traces of explosives.

@Wandafishcake

Could people visit the cockpit pre 9/11?

Yeah! It was a thing to do on the Disney Florida Virgin flight in 1999ish

I remember getting on a flight in Zambia and asking the guy not to search my bag because it took me ages to pack it and he was just like yeah fine no worries and gave my bag back

Also on the same trip we flew in the last ever commercial flight by an airline that was closing down. Was a full size 747 type thing and there was about 20 people on it. The minimal cabin crew were just handing out everything and anything and the whole plane was smoking. This was also when you had movies on a big screen. Was fucking mint

Security was faster for sure; my first flight (Germany - US) in 1996 we didn't have to unpack our bags, take off our shoes.

I mean yes, we all travelled with far fewer electronics at that point, but they didn't make me pull out my portable CD player!

Forgot to add not as many CF back then either. People basically sat in their seats. Now you go to your seat that you specifically want and have specifically paid for and find some CF in it claiming they HAVE to sit there as they otherwise family is split up or some such thing. So, didn’t bother to pay to sit together but think it’s okay to take everyone else’s seats they have paid extra for. In years gone by people would have been far too ashamed to pull such antics, now there is an entitled CF in every row.

@HoppingPavlova

Forgot to add not as many CF back then either. People basically sat in their seats. Now you go to your seat that you specifically want and have specifically paid for and find some CF in it claiming they HAVE to sit there as they otherwise family is split up or some such thing. So, didn’t bother to pay to sit together but think it’s okay to take everyone else’s seats they have paid extra for. In years gone by people would have been far too ashamed to pull such antics, now there is an entitled CF in every row.

Yes.

I used to work for an airline. A CF in every row acting like a 5 year old.

I visited the cockpit on a flight to Bali when I was 14. The pilots were chilling and playing cards! Very relaxed security basically.

The liquids thing must've been after 2001, I remember in 2003 stuffing my hand luggage with about 8 litres of spirits 😂
I could hardly walk it was so heavy but they didn't check it once.

It was pretty nice.
There was really security.
Your family members could go to the gate with you and I remember going on with my son who was flying alone for his first time which was a about a month before 911. they let me walk him to his seat to say goodbye.

I even remember when there was a smoking row on flights!

The food was better and more plentiful. The service was better. It was just a much nicer experience.

@RantyAunty except when your plane was hijacked or blown up?

You could always go in the cockpit and have a chat with the captain if you were a nervous flyer

@Edinvillian

The liquids thing must've been after 2001, I remember in 2003 stuffing my hand luggage with about 8 litres of spirits 😂 I could hardly walk it was so heavy but they didn't check it once.

You are correct - the liquids ban/100 ml max size containers/plastic bags restrictions were not part of the response to 9/11.

That all started in 2006 after another terrorist plot was uncovered.

A lot more relaxed. I remember going in the cockpit to chat to the pilots and he let us touch some buttons (that probably did nothing).

@Porcupineintherough

They still happen and people still fly.

I remember you had to have bags scans, but you didn't need to be scanned. There were fewer restrictions on what you could take on board. I always used to have toiletries in my hand luggage (and a change of clothes) so that if my bag was lost I could at least have a shower and change without having to re-buy everything.

I flew on an internal flight in the US around 1998. I'd only ever flown internationally prior to that. Fuck me it was like getting on a train or something. I don't recall bags being searched or scanned at all or maybe there was minimum security. I remember being shocked at how lax security was.