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plane terror plot disrupted: hand baggage banned

199 replies

TutterOtsky · 10/08/2006 07:57

LONDON (Reuters) - British Airways said on Thursday that no hand baggage would be allowed on any of its planes leaving UK airports, after British police said they had disrupted a plot to blow up aircraft in mid-flight.

A number of people in the London area had been arrested, police said.

"British Airways, acting on instruction from the UK Government, wishes to advise passengers that no items of hand baggage can be carried on board any aircraft departing any UK airport," the airline said in an e-mailed statement.

========================

that's gonna be a bugger for those of us due to fly soon with kids...

OP posts:
HRHQueenOfQuotes · 12/08/2006 13:47

seen today that you can buy things after you've gone through security - although they're still severely restricting things allowed on flights to the US.

RTKangaMummy · 12/08/2006 13:49

Air New Zealand UK & US Service Update

11 August 2006

Air New Zealand confirms that its flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and London will depart as scheduled this evening at 7.15 pm, 7.45 pm and 9.25 pm respectively.

However, heightened security measures which were implemented for US international airports by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, will mean additional restrictions will be applied to carry on baggage on these flights.

For our customers checking-in for the above flights it will mean as follows:
From Auckland to Los Angeles or San Francisco: no fluids to be carried on, other than that allowed for an infant travelling
From Auckland to London (transitting in Los Angeles) or Los Angeles to London: as per UK security procedures implemented yesterday ie: limited items only to be carried in a clear plastic carrier bag.
Duty free beverages will not be allowed to be carried on board the aircraft so any duty free shopping will need to be undertaken on arrival at the destination airport.

Airline catering is exempt from the restriction as this is cleared through existing procedures.

As advised to all customers yesterday, continuing flight delays are likely due to these increased security measures and customers are advised to plan to arrive for their flight earlier than usual because it is likely checking in could take longer than normal.

Air New Zealand also recommends that customers travelling to /from London and Los Angeles monitor arrival and departure times on the Air New Zealand website or stay in contact with their booking agent. Also refer to customer information on the airline website www.airnz.co.nz/

ENDS

Note:
Security requirements for customers on flights to/through/from the United States.

No liquids or gels are permitted to enter the sterile area through the screening checkpoint or be in accessible property or on one's person except:

Baby formula and breast milk, if a baby or small child is traveling
Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket
Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines
Passengers are NOT permitted to take liquids and gels purchased inside the sterile area onboard the aircraft.
For purposes of this advice, liquids and gels include beverages (e.g. Duty Free), shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.
Passengers will undergo secondary screening at the departure gate. Any liquids or gels found on a person will be confiscated.
Customers are asked to travel light. Their accessible property should have minimal clutter to expedite the screening process.
Security requirements for customers on flights from the United Kingdom
Customers may take through the airport security search point only one transparent sealable plastic bag, containing only the following items. Nothing must be carried in pockets:
Pocket size wallets and pocket sized purses plus contents e.g. money, credit cards etc
Travel documents essential for the journey e.g. passports, tickets
Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
Spectacles and glasses, without cases
Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution
For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags)
Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight if unboxed (e.g. tampons, pads, towels and wipes)
Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
Keys (but no electrical/remote key fobs).
All passengers must be hand searched and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be screened.
No liquids or gels are permitted beyond the screening area except items listed in above.
Passengers are NOT permitted to take liquids and gels purchased beyond the screening areas onboard the aircraft.
For purposes of this advice, liquids and gels include beverages, (e.g. Duty Free) shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, perfume and other items of similar consistency.
Pushchairs and walking aids must be screened, and only airport provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.
In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA, UK domestic or Europe as well as all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the initial screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate.
Issued by Air New Zealand Public Affairs: 09 336 2761

geekgrrl · 12/08/2006 13:50

I flew yesterday with the children from Germany to Manchester. We were not allowed any hand luggage other than travel docs, but they were pretty slack about this really.
I was also able to buy the children some toys air-side to take on board.

Was allowed a buggy but it had to be x-rayed.

I didn't take any drinks but I understand they they didn't allow any.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 12/08/2006 13:53

This is taken from the BAA website

Further information
Passengers will be able to purchase items from the departures lounge once they have passed through security and carry these onto the aircraft. However, if you are travelling to the USA, you will be able to purchase goods for consumption in the airport but no additional items, other than those on the list, can be carried onto the aircraft. These passengers will be subject to a secondary search at the departure gate before boarding. Any items not on the approved list will be removed.

RTKangaMummy · 12/08/2006 13:53

All I know is that I am glad we have got an extra bag that can be used as a bag in the hold

We will have to pack this laptop in the suitcase too

I really feel for those of you with younger children

DS is 11 so understands that he can't have his books etc.

But those with babies IMHO it will be a nightmare

good luck guys

mogwai · 12/08/2006 19:54

I heard somewhere that Australia are considering banning hand luggage permanently.

I wonder whether this will affect their tourist industry. Seriously....people don't fly short-haul to Australia (unless you count NZ I suppose).

If you were considering a three week holiday to aus with your kids, would you reconsider if you thought you'd be on a plane for 28 hours without their toys/DVD player/favorite teddy?

We are considering going for 12 months in January, so it's a different prospect. If we had been considering a holiday, there's no way I'd go under those conditions.

threebob · 12/08/2006 20:15

I will not be coming to the UK next year for a holiday with ds if this becomes a permanent thing. I'm afraid I've been thrown up on too many times to travel without a fairly extensive selection of spare clothing, towel etc.

Really Australia (from NZ) is about as far as I will go under these conditions. Airport prices are bad enough without them having a totally captive audience airside.

NotQuiteCockney · 12/08/2006 20:21

My kids don't throw up on planes, but they do throw up in cars. So our spare clothes will have to be in outside pockets of the luggage.

I think we'll each have a cardi or similar, in case things go wrong. All the equivalent BA flights are running 2+ hours late as of today. Maybe they'll be better tomorrow? I think we can go through a special channel thanks to DH's frequent flyer things, which should help a bit ...

MrsJohnCusack · 12/08/2006 20:29

am very much looking forward to travelling to NZ with 20 months DD under these conditions (seems that it will be quite a few weeks before they're removed, if at all)

Not!

in light of the extra US stuff, definitely travelling via Asia now, have found some cheaper flights. Bet the shops are thrilled at all this. Planning to dress DD in layers and then remove some on the plane so we have spare clothes (she doesn't normally throw up but you can bet she will if no spare clothes).
Also, (selfishly), v.worried about my clarinets going in the hold and not as hand luggage - have never had to do that before and Not Happy. There has been a news story about the Bolshoi Ballet having to return overland after their Russian season as contractually they cannot travel separately from their instruments (they all belong to the Russian state collection).

obviously safety is paramount, but I can't help thinking about our personal situtation and feeling hassled

alittlebitshy · 12/08/2006 20:34

Mrs JC I am feeling just the same. we have our hol booked for october and i really don;t see there being MUCH let up on the restritions by then.

how on earth do we entertain a 3 yr old for basiclaly 24 hours? As well as some favourite books and toys I was planning to take some small surprised for the trip. omg how hard will it be!!!???

and we have to dp the same trip back 5 weeks later. argh!!!

what about spare knickers and things like that? dd has been dry since april but there are odd acidents! do i layer her in knicks and peel them off once through????? or take pull ups (as for night).

argh.

trying not to think, cos 2 months away is ages isn;t it?

MrsJohnCusack · 12/08/2006 20:37

let's hope it's all better by then eh. a 3 year old - even worse! knickerwise I guess they count as essential so stick some in the plastic bag and hope they're understanding...

thing is we're emigrating and we were planning to use every last inch of our hand baggage allowances to help us transport all our stuff!

all my other instruments which were going to be hand baggage are now going in the container as they appear to be insured for that.

MrsJohnCusack · 12/08/2006 20:43

oh yes and of course this is better than the alternative and hats off to the police/security services etc. for intercepting all this. am not ungrateful at all, just hassled!

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 12/08/2006 21:16

how on earth do we entertain a 3 yr old for basiclaly 24 hours? As well as some favourite books and toys I was planning to take some small surprised for the trip. omg how hard will it be!!!???

If you're not flying to the US you can still buy stuff once you're through security - so shouldn't be too much of a problem - I'll let you know in 3 weeks time when we get back from our long haul trip LOL (we're flying out this coming Thursday)

MadamePlatypus · 12/08/2006 21:45

DB's girlfriend flew yesterday. Her luggage (including things that would normally be in handluggage like mobile) has gone missing.

NotQuiteCockney · 13/08/2006 00:14

With all the disruption and delays (and more checked luggage), I bet more bags are going missing than usual.

Judy1234 · 13/08/2006 10:19

I am taking 5 children to Panama on Tuesday via Paris and Miami (18 hours). The DVD player, ipods, DS gameboy things, my novels, toys will all have to be left behind. At Heathrow at 5am we can't buy things in departures as the shops are shut. In Paris there is unlikely to be time and we won't get access to hold luggage there to retrieve it. We could buy books/toys in Paris if there are any available and take them on a US flight I think but no drinks and we can't accommodate a special diet either. it seems completely unnecessary to me. Any decently clever terrorist will be thinking up a different plan now on trains or be an inside person who can get substances through a contact who supplies the duty free shops etc.
Suggestion has been that we ask for 6 seats not near each other and leave it up to the cabin staff to do the entertainment over the 18 hours of travelling. This is not going to be fun.

Other intersting point - the insurers are refusing to cover items in cases. The airline is supposed to pay up to £850 but they're saying they may refuse too but advice is to photograph your ipods etc and mobiles in the suitcase as evidence.

mogwai · 13/08/2006 19:46

I realise that safety has to come first but I feel so fed up that our lives are being disrupted in this way.

I'm really hoping this situation will ease for all of you who are about to travel.

I think there needs to be some common sense and I really think that airlines need to cater for those travelling with children over and above the usual bag of crayons. Long haul flights are going to be fun for nobody and I think it will put people off.

The airlines will have to sort this out before their profits take a dive. It wouldn't be hard to provide things like DVD players and game boys as well as bags of common toys like bricks and books. I'm just wondering how long it will take for the duty free shops to start stocking things at inflated prices.

Judy1234 · 14/08/2006 07:17

"From 04:30 on 15 August, passengers will be able to take one small cabin bag" Newspapers say apart from liquids no restrictions on what it contains but the stupid BAA web site then contains a link to the old list of items (I think that is a wrong link).

NedKelly1978 · 14/08/2006 07:21

The new rules are:

:: Cabin baggage must not exceed a maximum length of 45cm, width of 35cm and depth of 16cm (17.7" × 13.7" × 6.2" approximately), including wheels, handles and side pockets.

:: Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within it.

:: All items carried by passengers will be X-ray screened.

:: No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, with two exceptions:

:: Prescription medicines in liquid form essential for the flight (such as diabetic kit), as long as it is verified as authentic.

:: Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

:: Liquids not allowed include gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, for example toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam and aerosols.

:: To help their progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (e.g. bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc.) in their cabin baggage.

:: All laptops and large electrical items (e.g. large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so that such items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.

Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.

Passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate.

Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger.

NedKelly1978 · 14/08/2006 07:23

those are from sky news website. My first thought was yipeee! (we fly tomorrow) but then I wodnered if this isn't going to slow things down even more? The standard searches will prob be stopped now, but surely it is going to take time for security to check through handluggage now?

Judy1234 · 14/08/2006 12:03

And BAA have now annoucned they cannot cope with implementing that today but can tomorrow from 4.30am with more information to follow. Only BBC and Sky News etc seem to have that list, not BAA so I suspect it may not be the same tomorrow morning. I'm trying to pack here for the 18 hour trip.

I wish I knew how long we'll need to wait at Heathrow. At the moment I've changed the taxi so we get there about 4.30am. Surely there can't be too big crowds by then. (My air line didn't even know about the loosened rules when I called this morning)
Being able to take the ipod, mobile, portable DVD player, DS and in my case a book makes a huge difference to the journey.

elliott · 14/08/2006 12:08

OK so I guess packed lunch is ok (but no yoghurts) and buy water once through security? no drinks bottles though, that will be tricky.

Judy1234 · 14/08/2006 16:33

My air line says despite what is in the press they have been told it's still take virtually nothing on. I don't quite believe them so I'm going to take us all with plastic bag and ipod/Ds/book/DVD player and then see what they say at check in at 4.30am tomorrow. I suspect they are trying to make people not take much so there's less checking when you get there but the strict rules will be changed by that time tomorrow but they don't really want people to know that to save work.

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 14/08/2006 16:38

BAA now has the list.........

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