Further Security Measures for Flights to USA

[serfty]

Actually they had intel.Apparently the guy's father went to the US Embassy and warned them of his son's fanatic views.He got put on a list of terrosist suspects-the TIDE list but they still gave him a visa then he was not flagged on the flight.

I believe he already had a 2 year visa obtained last May in the UK.

Terror suspect out of hospital, held at undisclosed location - CNN.com

 

[ozziemuzza]

this is a shame and where does this stop one person out of millions make these measures.he has succeeeded already .

i will be on a 20 hour flight in january yes 20 hours from kl to lax and i know on these journeys there is a cue to the toilets from at least an hour before landing i.e freshen up ater sleeping changing clothes.

are they providing urinal bottles then??

i just wait for the next terrorsist who does something that will make usbe escorted to the toilets each time we got up.

i know a lot of people in europe and north america wont mind but come from down under and do this.

 

[Maca44]

I appreciate the 2 piece carry on (carry on and one personal item) appears to have not been further addressed since a very early post that suggested only one item was to be carried on board since this incident, and this would really stuff up my plans for carry on only trips.

I don't return to the USA until August 2010, and although I doubt the TSA will relax their rules too much, I hope they come to their senses somewhat and/or simply increase security measures at the point of departure. The one hour rule before landing etc is simply stupid.

 

[Alanslegal]

Another series of restrictions based on knee-jerk rather than any type of probative value IMO. Go the US of A, not.

Since we all must be seated for the last hour, nobody is allowed to move nor is anyone allowed to hold anything, I bet these hats will be included in your next ammenity pack;

 

[serfty]

Another series of restrictions based on knee-jerk rather than any type of probative value IMO. Go the US of A, not.

Since we all must be seated for the last hour, nobody is allowed to move nor is anyone allowed to hold anything, I bet these hats will be included in your next ammenity pack;
...]

LOL

You forgot the photo' of the lower end plumbing as well :shock:

 

[Blackadder]

Thats only a benefit for F/J travellers

 

[serfty]

If this report is accurate, it looks like a little common sense is prevailing:

[Unofficial:] Passengers again free to move around cabin

... In-flight security rules have been eased after a two-day clampdown, airline officials familiar with the matter said Monday.

At the captain's discretion, passengers can once again have blankets and other items on their laps or move about the cabin during the tail end of flight. In-flight entertainment restrictions have also been lifted.

The airline officials spoke on condition of anonymity because federal safety officials had not publicly announced the changes. ...

 

[serfty]

More here:

Flying With Fish

Presently this is what to expected if you are flying to the United States from a foreign country:

- Extended security wait times, allow at least two hours for security at the gate. While this may be faster at some airports, you need to allow this time to ensure you won’t miss your flight

- A physical pat down by security at the gate prior to boarding all flights to the United States

- A complete physical inspection of all bags being carried on flights to the United States

- Flight crew may make no announcements or reference to position or landmarks while flying over US airspace, such as “Out the left side you can see the Empire State Building and Manhattan”

The previous restrictions within SD-1544-09-0 for in-flight entertainment (IFE) have been lifted, as have the 1-hr prior to landing restrictions. These previous restrictions are now at the discretion of the flight crew. As of today, passengers may use the in-flight entertainment, their laptop, a blanket, the lavatory and access their carry-on bags within one hour of arrival.

Normal rules apply for putting your carry on bag away, switching off your electronics, putting your tray table up and your seat into the upright position.

 

[drron]

hopefully most of this nonsense will be dispensed with quickly.This is reputed to be an US airlines internal memo-
"Here’s an internal memo from one airline, courtesy of another airline insider:

The United States Transportation Security Administration will put in effect the following new directives and guidelines for all in-flight personnel immediately.
For all United States bound aircraft originating in a foreign country and including Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands:
- Passengers will not be able to leave their seat from approximately one (1) hour prior to landing. The coughpit will inform in-flight personnel when this should be enforced.
- In-flight and coughpit personnel must refrain from making any PA announcements regarding the position of the aircraft or landing announcements. coughpit personnel will use the IF alarm system to warn in-flight personnel to take their seats prior to landing.
- Passengers will be allowed one carry-on item or one personal item and will not be able to access this item during the one (1) hour period prior to landing.
- No items can be used/held/accessed/accessible by any passenger, including personal electronic devices, magazines, newspapers, books, etc. during the one (1) hour pre-landing period.
- In-flight personnel must collect First / Business Class PEDs and/or headsets one (1) hour and thirty (30) minutes prior to landing.
- In-flight personnel must collect all pillows and blankets one (1) hour prior to landing. Pillows and blankets must be stored in the galley and not in overhead bins.
- All on-board fixed IFE systems will be disabled and not available to our customers. Do not run or attempt to run any fixed IFE system."
Quoted here-
New carry-on luggage limits and screening measures after Northwest Airlines terrorist incident
​

 

[Keith009]

So much for my attempts to go HLO...:-|

 

[codash1099]

Excellent commentary here:

A guy tries to blow up a plane and all I get is these dumb new rules… what stinks, and what’s next | Upgrade: Travel Better

 

[serfty]

Reports vary on hand luggage. Note there has been no mention of any specific new/revised TSA directive on this particular facit.

Some reports indicate the 1 Bag and 1 Personal item is still OK for some airlines/origins.

"Transport Canada" have decreed a ban on most carry on luggage (roll-aboards, overnight bags, Back packs etc.) from the cabins of all flights from Canada to the USA.

This apparently is due to them not having enough staff at the airport to hand check both PAX and normal Carry-on before these flights.

http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/flights/Irregular-Operations.asp

• Travel from Canada: Transport Canada prohibits passengers from taking any carry-on bags through the screening checkpoint excluding the following items: small purses, cameras, coats, items needed for infants, laptop computers, diplomatic or consular bags, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, medication or medical devices, musical instruments, or a special needs item. Passengers with non-exempt carry-on items will be denied access through the checkpoint.

 

[docjames]

I doubt that many people would voluntarily choose to go via USA to get to Paris and that those that do are probably doing it for specific needs and that these sorts of cancellations are likely to be small

Dave

What about all the Kiwis that go

AKL-LAX-LHR ?

Makes AKL-SYD-SIN-LHR or AKL-HKG-LHR look pretty good.

At least common sense has prevailed.

 

[Flying Fox]

Madness. Once again the TSA working against tourism USA.

Thankfully the USA isn't on my list of places to visit again soon.

 

[straitman]

Madness.

You have summed up my thoughts precisely :!:

 

[2muchplastic]

Madness. Once again the TSA working against tourism USA.

Thankfully the USA isn't on my list of places to visit again soon.

I've never been to the US, and now have less enthusiasm about going than previously.

I'd much rather travel around some backstreet slum dive in SEAsia than voluntarily subject myself to the rigours of travel to the LOTFAP.

Not allowed to get up and use the bathroom for the last hour when I've just woken up thanks to having my blanket forcibly removed? I'll just sit here and p**s myself then shall I?

It does make me laugh that they consider all terrorists stupid. So they're turning the moving maps off? Ok, so no terrorist is capable of working out roughly what time the aircraft would expect to be over their intended destination using rough mathematics and the expected landing time? If it comes to it, just use the time that the flight crew relieve you of your blanket as a yardstick....

 

[Blackadder]

Thankfully sanity has been prevailed, FWIW these security restrictions shouldn't be seen as a sole deterent for travel to the US.

 

[2muchplastic]

..... FWIW these security restrictions shouldn't be seen as a sole deterent for travel to the US.

(My Bolding)

In my view, there are many, many reasons not to visit the US, rather than just relying on someone removing your blanket an hour before arrival to put me off.

OK, so I'd like to visit Alaska, and Hawaii at a push, but have no desire to visit the rest. I went as far as damaging a knee so we could no longer go traipsing around Florida theme parks, and had to go to the Maldives instead.:mrgreen::mrgreen:

 

[Blackadder]

Don't blame you for wanting to give the Florida theme parks a miss, although a bit of a extreme way to do it.

 

[NYCguy]

"It's a fool's errand to try to make the aviation system terrorist-proof. The only way to do that is ground the airplanes"

Kip Hawley, former Director of the TSA, quoted in the New York Times, 29/12/2009.