Anyone nervous about flying?

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 8/10/2006 11:43:13 PM
Author: sunkist

Date: 8/10/2006 11:16:09 PM
Author: sumbride
I understand the threats, but I think we're over-reacting at this point.

Over-reacting?! Seriously? I totally disagree. Any precautions they think we should take, I'm all for it. Perhaps we should just check all of our luggage and not be able to take anything carry-on. Yes it is an inconvenience, but I'll do anything I'm able to keep those loonies from carrying explosives onto a plane. We are at war, and this is a small thing we can do to protect America compared to our soldiers who are courageously fighting first hand for us.

WHAT?? Sorry Sum, I totally disagree with you! As a frequent traveller, I truly believe that we are not doing enough to make the skies safer for travellers. TSA is far from perfect!

What does get me upset is the general inconsistency across the board at airports. Some make you take your shoes off, some don't. Some make you show your boarding pass as you go thru the detector, some don't. Some make you run ALL your electronics separately in a bin, others don't. There has got to be a more efficient way of doing this!

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 8/11/2006 12:27:25 AM
Author: codex57

Date: 8/10/2006 11:16:09 PM
Author: sumbride
Also, the ''no electronics'' thing is bad too... no ipod, no laptop, no dvd player... while we may ''live through that'' who would honestly want to trust the baggage handlers with their laptop??? No thank you! And I can''t imagine all those poor kids and parents on the trans-atlantic flights with no way to entertain their kids... they weren''t allowed to bring any of the kids toys or anything... maybe my ADD is showing but UGH!!! I would be bored within 5 minutes!!!

Where did you hear this? I haven''t heard anything about no electronics. Britain wasn''t allowing key fobs, but that''s about it.

the no electronics/keylesss entry thing only applies to flights leaving the UK, not on flights within the U.S

i''m flying tomorrow and next weekend, and read up all day on this. I wanted to be certain I had the right info!

 

[sunkist]

Date: 8/11/2006 12:37:00 AM
Author: diamondfan
I totally get it, but with three kids, a long flight would be awful without the personal dvd player and the music. Hopefully they will figure out a way to screen these items for anything out of the ordinary.

Just a thought, what ever happend to coloring books and crayons?? And books?

They used to keep me quite when I was a kid

 

[diamondfan]

Date: 8/11/2006 1:20:25 AM
Author: sunkist

Date: 8/11/2006 12:37:00 AM
Author: diamondfan
I totally get it, but with three kids, a long flight would be awful without the personal dvd player and the music. Hopefully they will figure out a way to screen these items for anything out of the ordinary.

Just a thought, what ever happend to coloring books and crayons?? And books?

They used to keep me quite when I was a kid

No kid can color for 6 hours plus, and reading is not always an option, I cannot read aloud to a 4 year old with a plane full of people, they might be upset to listen to some kid book when they are trying have peace and quiet...I like to have a variety of things for them, so that they can choose what they like. My older two are happy to put on their headphones and are so quiet and well behaved during the flight. So is my 4 year old, with his little toys and stuff he is great, but it is nice to have some options too.

 

[KristyDarling]

I''m not more nervous about my safety in the air but I am more stressed out by all the inevitable delays that we''ll face. We''re leaving for San Diego this Saturday and I''m dreading the beefed up security lines, waits, and other potential delays. Traveling with our 3 yo and 18-month-old is stressful enough already...and they HATE standing in lines!!! I know it''s all for a good reason though. It''s wishul thinking, but why can''t our gov''t strengthen domestic security in a more strategic way, instead of so reactively: caught shoe-bombers, now we all have to take off our shoes. Caught liquid-bombers, now we all have to give up our fluids. Argh!!! What''s next?? I know we don''t have much choice in the matter and safety is the most important thing, but still. What a huge pain!!!

 

[KristyDarling]

Wait a sec....no electronics on board either?? I hadn't heard that in any of the media announcements. Are electronics banned on only the UK-US flights?

My 3 year old NEEEEEEDS his DVD player on board. It's one of the things he looks forward to most about traveling and keeps him very, very quiet. Coloring books amuse him for about 2 minutes, no more. (maybe that'd work if he were about 3 years older though) The last thing I want is a bored, restless, tantrum-prone kid in a confined space with 200 others and if it means I have to sell my soul to the devil and pop a DVD in front of him, then so be it!!!

 

[TravelingGal]

KristyDarling, you can have your electronics...the U.S. has not banned them for carry-on...yet.

 

[sumbride]

I knew I''d probably get some reactions by my "overreacting" comment... but that''s how I see it.

Every part of life has an element of risk, a bit of danger, and I don''t think there''s any way TSA or the gov''ts of the world can protect us fully... We have a very "reactionary" manner of dealing with things... we react to what has already happened, what has been caught... not ever anticipating what "they" might do next.

I understand that nobody is going to try the whole "shoe bomb'' thing again now that everyone has to take off their shoes... but actually, NOT everyone has to take off their shoes... the inconsistency in airport security is amazing, and the agents are often beligerent. If I fly through San Diego and they don''t make me take off my shoes but SF does, I don''t understand why the same pair of sandals was ok at one airport but not another. Now they''re trying liquids so we can''t have water. Again, I get that... but what''s next? Are "bra bombs" going to be an issue? Plastic explosives are still hard to detect. When will this stop? What price for our safety?

I work in DC and travel a major commuter train into the city every day, and yes, I do have, in the back of my mind, a fear that something will happen. I don''t say "could", I say "will". OF COURSE it could! Anything COULD happen. It''s the "WILL" we have to worry about. I can never feel 100% sure of my safety... but then I''m much more likely to die in my car on the way to the train station than on the train or a plane. My office requires us to have "emergency backpacks" stuffed with essentials. They do a check every once in awhile to make sure we stil have them. Will it really help me in an emergency? Maybe. Probably not, but maybe. It''s an extra precaution, and that''s ok, but if I was really afraid, I''d never leave my house.

We can hide from the boogeymen all we want, but there will always be a new boogeyman trying to find a new way to hurt us... I think the TSA is a pacifying agent... you feel safer because they are there? REALLY? Me, not so much... With all the attention on the past, we''re putting very little focus on looking at what could be next.

 

[coda72]

I agree with you, Sumbride. I think this is a total overreaction banning all liquids. Personally, I hate checking my lotions and shampoos and stuff like that because the last time I did check these items, they were all over the inside of my suitcase. Baggage handlers aren''t the most careful people in the world, and I don''t think I will be putting any liquids in my checked baggage. That makes it really inconvenient for traveling, since I''ll have to go to the store and buy everything I need after landing. Flying just seems to be becoming more and more of a hassle, and I wish I didn''t have to fly to get to where I want to go. I feel like we''re being held hostage with all these regulations, and if someone really wants to set off a bomb or bring a plane down or whatever awful thing they want to do, they will find a way even with all the regulations.

 

[sumbride]

Oh, and the electronics thing... originally the TSA sent a memo to airports saying they WEREN''T allowed but they have since rescinded that. Again, no consistency. It''s still unclear whether or not people leaving the UK are allowed them.

On a side note, I''m wondering what this will do to the duty-free industry... I always buy liquor and perfume duty free, but you have to carry them on as the shops are located past the security checkpoint. Since we''re not allowed liquids, will they allow you to gate-check your duty free items? Or is this industry going to be killed off? I know it''s a small point but hey, it popped into my head as an issue.

 

[sumbride]

Definitely, Coda! I always carry on my toiletries, not only for the mess they can make, but also half the time the airlines lose my luggage and it''s nice to at least have the basics with me. I may not be able to change my clothes, but at least I can take out my contacts, brush my teeth, apply deodorant.... I''ll be far more willing to check my bags when the baggage handlers come up with a better system to protect and deliver our luggage... That big giant "lost luggage" warehouse in Alabama is going to have a nice supply of Chanel real soon. It wouldn''t exist if the airlines were more careful with our bags.

 

[nytemist]

I have always, always, always been terrified of flying. As a child a had a bad screaming panic attack and wasn''t on a plane again until 16. Each time I have to be sedated or I won''t get on the plane. When my fiance and I went to S.F. a couple of years ago, I had to take my meds after the security check because I was starting to flip out. Staff had to carry me on the plane.

I''ve been having nightmares the closer the wedding gets. This situation has upped my anxiety even more. We are supposed to go to London for the honeymoon. I don''t know if I can do it now.

 

[fire&ice]

Fearful - no. PITA - yes. I have to make plane reserves to FL. We are thinking about driving instead. I NEED water to take off. Gum, alone, does not clear my ears.

I''m hoping this is temporary and they work something out. I think it''s over-reaction. Why in the world would you not be able to carry on water from the vendors passed security?

What about contact lenses in a bit of solution? I''m not going to trust the airline to get my EYES safely to their destination.

''Cept the trip already booked (cruise) - I plan on not making any arrangement to fly.

Also, what about a cup through security & fill it up with tap water pass security? Is that allowed?

 

[fire&ice]

For what it''s worth, I always place my toiletries in dual plastic bags just in case they rupture in the badly handled checked baggage.

 

[Ellen]

I was griping last night as I watched the news on this, saying the same thing. What if they lose my luggage? To which hubby suggested, mailing important stuff to your destination. A hassle, but at least you''re assured you have what you need...

 

[sumbride]

Date: 8/11/2006 11:31:52 AM
Author: Ellen
I was griping last night as I watched the news on this, saying the same thing. What if they lose my luggage? To which hubby suggested, mailing important stuff to your destination. A hassle, but at least you''re assured you have what you need...

Because the post office is so reliable!

(Just teasing, of course!!!)

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/11/2006 11:37:58 AM
Author: sumbride

Date: 8/11/2006 11:31:52 AM
Author: Ellen
I was griping last night as I watched the news on this, saying the same thing. What if they lose my luggage? To which hubby suggested, mailing important stuff to your destination. A hassle, but at least you''re assured you have what you need...

Because the post office is so reliable!

(Just teasing, of course!!!)

LOL You have no idea how funny that is. My hubby''s a mail carrier.

 

[sumbride]

Date: 8/11/2006 11:44:45 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/11/2006 11:37:58 AM
Author: sumbride

Date: 8/11/2006 11:31:52 AM
Author: Ellen
I was griping last night as I watched the news on this, saying the same thing. What if they lose my luggage? To which hubby suggested, mailing important stuff to your destination. A hassle, but at least you''re assured you have what you need...

Because the post office is so reliable!

(Just teasing, of course!!!)

LOL You have no idea how funny that is. My hubby''s a mail carrier.

Ha!!! Well, I''m sure HE''S reliable... it''s those OTHER cities you have to worry about!!!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/11/2006 11:48:19 AM
Author: sumbride

Date: 8/11/2006 11:44:45 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 8/11/2006 11:37:58 AM
Author: sumbride

Date: 8/11/2006 11:31:52 AM
Author: Ellen
I was griping last night as I watched the news on this, saying the same thing. What if they lose my luggage? To which hubby suggested, mailing important stuff to your destination. A hassle, but at least you''re assured you have what you need...

Because the post office is so reliable!

(Just teasing, of course!!!)

LOL You have no idea how funny that is. My hubby''s a mail carrier.

Ha!!! Well, I''m sure HE''S reliable... it''s those OTHER cities you have to worry about!!!

Exactly.

 

[appletini]

My best friend and I are going to Napa/Sonoma in two weeks on a 7:30AM flight, I''m not excited about getting there before 6:30AM. I''m going to call the airline earlier that week and ask them all the specifics about check in time, carryons, etc. And I will definitely ship home any wine that I purchase, I''m not going to let that go to waste.

Also don''t forget about in flight movies, there will be some form of entertainment even if its not what you want to watch. And give the kids some benadryl or something to knock them out during the flight.

 

[appletini]

This is direct from the cotinental website. Hopefully the 3 hour rule won''t last long.

Travel Notices



Current as of Thurs., August 10, 2006 1:00 p.m. Central . Information is updated as it is received.
For all flights to, from, and within the United States
See Travel Reaccommodations for the U.S.

The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has determined that there is a high risk of terrorism against U.S. civil aviation, and the need for extra restrictions to assure the security of air travel.

On instruction from the Transportation Security Administration, Continental Airlines advises customers that no liquids or gels are permitted inside the sterile area through the screening checkpoint or be in accessible baggage or on one''s person except:

Baby formula, breast milk, or juice 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
In addition, customers may not bring liquids and gels purchased inside the sterile area onboard the aircraft. Examples of liquids and gels include beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel and items of a similar consistency.

These measures apply to all scheduled and charter flight operations that depart from and operate within the United States and its territories and possessions.

All passengers are advised to travel light. Accessible property should have minimal clutter to expedite the screening process.

Between August 10 and August 23, 2006, Continental will accept a third bag free of charge provided it meets the carry on bag criteria. This includes markets with checked baggage embargos. Customers may still travel with a personal carry-on item.

All passengers should plan to arrive at the airport three hours in advance of scheduled departure time.

Continental Airlines regrets any inconveniences caused.

 

[ephemery1]

Date: 8/11/2006 10:51:06 AM
Author: fire&ice

What about contact lenses in a bit of solution? I''m not going to trust the airline to get my EYES safely to their destination.

I can''t speak for all airlines, but a friend of mine flying yesterday morning was NOT allowed to carry-on his contact lenses in their case with just a tiny amount of solution. He had to pack them and wear his glasses instead.

 

[asscherisme]

Contact lenses?

I can understand not allowing a big bottle of contact lense fluid, but the contact lenses in their case? That makes NO sense.

I also saw that they are allowing prescription meds. So where is the line drawn?

Will they alllow you to take contact lenses IF you have a doctors prescription with you? Then they qualifiy as a prescription!!

The only thing that bother me is the contact lense thing. I always carry my lenses in my purse and wear my glasses on the flight. OR if I wear my contacts I need drops because flights make my eyes dry. Then put my contacts on when I land in a bathroom because I SEE better driving with my contacts and always need to rent a car. So now I can't see as well when I drive? that just stinks. I never check luggage.

I am not afraid of flying, I just dread the holdups.

I was planning on buying tickets to go home to the DC area and take 2 of my kids with me. But I am going to postpone that trip. There is NO way I'm flying with my 2 and 4 year old children into Dulles or National airport (out of another Major city from where I live) with 2 small children by myself with the long waits.

Kinda stinks but I know my kids could not handle the long waits.

Its a scary new world we live in.

 

[sumbride]

Aschherisme... I''m totally with you on the contact lens thing... I have bad depth perception in glasses and really need my contacts, but they dry out so badly on a plane.

I think this whole thing is going to calm down eventually... hopefully sooner rather than later. They have all sorts or rules now just to "save time" but later on it will get more routine and less strict. Remember the "no nail file" thing? They''ve done away with that. Also small scissors are ok now and they weren''t for a long time. I remember watching a guy at DCA test my cuticle nippers and then take them to a manager to decide if I could keep them. In the end, he let me. The woman next to me on the plane had and was using a seam ripper on a project for most of the flight... I''m thinking "if he had problems with my cuticle nippers, how did she get away with that sharp pointy razory thing???" No consistency.

I think it''s a good idea to postpone your trip for your own sanity. This cannot be good for the already struggling airlines.

 

[SquareCut]

PheonixGirl,

Last week there was a girl on the TV show "Medical Mysteries". For years, she had the same symptoms of dehydration that you described. It turned out to be a hormone that was missing from her brain. Maybe your symptoms are because of the Claritin, but please have this checked out by a doctor to be sure.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2267230&page=1

 

[Mara]

i'm just glad we aren't traveling on a plane for a while now....i so don't want to deal with all the drama right now. and i agree that things are over-reactionary to ban all of everything kinda thing. there will always be another way for these people to try again and again. will we have to board naked with no carryons at some point?

what about people hiding things in their bodies? who knows where it ends.

i used to try to not check luggage at all, it's just such a pain to have to wait for it after the fact etc and since our luggage was lost for 3 days while we were on our honeymoon in tahiti with almost nothing with us but the basics (and thank god toiletries and other urgent stuff!), i totally don't trust the airlines to not lose our stuff now. i love carryons and try to pack light so that i don't check anything. and now we absolutely HAVE to check luggage with any toiletries or the like. also the whole no water or liquids thing is a drag too. i find that they do give you water on the plane but not enough and you can ask the flight attendant but then the whole plane is asking her too and it's just going to be chaos. i always carry lotion with me in my purse as well as purell hand sanitizer. if i don't remember to pull that stuff out beforehand (which is likely as i am a space cadet sometimes!), i'll have to toss it at the gate. fun prospect.

anyway, who knows how long this will last, maybe they will relax a little on certain things like the beverages....but it's pretty depressing every time something else happens...depressing on many levels. of course we all want to be safe, but i do wonder about the reactionary measures and also where it will end. if ever. again, i'm just really glad we aren't traveling by plane anywhere soon.

 

[diamondfan]

Maybe even that small amount of solution could be used in making an explosive when paired with another chemical? It does seem they are all over the board and have no real consistency in the rules. Again, just knowing there are people like this out in the world, plotting and coming up with inventive ways to hurt us, well, we have to stay one step ahead. I did hear one of the terrorists was someone who worked at Heathrow...just as I feared. Getting someone on the inside, being patient, is a hallmark of these groups. They are willing to spend years on these plots. How can we ever really know who is who? I remember after 9/11 when they had discovered the terrorists who had lived here in the US for years, and had made friends, etc...imagine if one of them was your neighbor and you never suspected anything? Worse than any scary movie that could be written. Hopefully this stuff will calm down soon, they will get the hang of implemetation and people will start packing accordingly.

 

[DonaBella]

As I listened to all of the news coverage of the recent terrorist threat, I thought, "oh gosh, what''s going to happen next?" In September, my hubby and I are already booked on a flight to Nashville, TN for my brother''s wedding and I really have to go, but with all of the restrictions, this whole thing makes me already a bit stressed.

I can do without my cream to powder makeup. I always purchase it there if I have to or temporary switch to a powdered mineral foundation for the trip. Whatever. But I need my water. I HAVE to have my water. I suffer significant, debilating migraines if I become dehydrated AT ALL.

My daughter just flew into Ontario Int''l Airport yesterday evening from New York and she said the delays were horrid. Her companion for the trip had to throw away alot of lipstick--4 tubes--a lipgloss and some liquid foundation on top of other non important items. I say non important because you can survive w/o makeup alot longer than you can water.

I am guessing that my gel based antiperspirent is off limits to take now. As for perfume, my daughter mentioned that if one puts it into a double ziploced couple of bags and into your checked baggage you can take it, but I am going to call the airline carrier we are going to use to be sure. I mean, my husband will have a cow as it is to replace any makeup item I need for this wedding we are attending, only to have to mail it back to my house I guess when its time to go home. I could mail it home right? Did anyone hear different on that? Just wondering.

I am not vocally opposing all of this because its out of mine and everyone''s control and that is the way it is. I can only pray--as can all of us--that things lighten up a bit soon and the threat of imminent danger of terrorism dissipates a bit. I know, I know...its a long shot, but I HAVE to look at things this way.

I am sick and tired of hearing or reading of another family losing loved ones to this endless war. I have sons and daughters who are old enough to have been a part of all of this so I cringe with pain for those who have had to endure and will have to endure the news that their loved one is gone.

Sorry to on and on about this, but all of this, the politics, the endless rant, the voiceless anger screams on and I am so fiercely wanting it over.

For all of us...

 

[asscherisme]

I just had to share what happened when we came back into the US from Canada.

We were at the US border coming home from vacation in Canada. The US customs guy did not even ask to see our passports!

We were in our huge minivan with our 4 kids. My husband was driving and I''m in the passenger seat. The guy asked my husband what we were doing in Canada and we replied vacation. he asked if we were bringing anything home and we replied t-shirts.

Then he waved us on by and said have a good day. We were SHOCKED!!

This happened a week before the London bomb plot, but still, didn''t some of the 9/11 bombers get into the US through Canada? Or am I mistaken? Yes, we had US licence plates, but those London bombers were residents of the UK and I''m sure their licence plates on their cars were local as well.

Scary! Everyone I have told that they did not check our passports at the border were kinda shocked.

You can use birth certificates until 12/31 of this year coming home from Canada but they asked for zero ID. Not even drivers licence.

Now they DID have a camera poitned at our licence plate and they guy was looking at at a computer screen. I wonder if the licence plate could have brought up a photo of the drivers licence associated with it??

 

[bee*]

Im petrified about flying. We are flying to France on thursday and Im so nervous thinking about it already. It really affects where ff and I take our holidays as he is the exact same. As we live in Ireland, we take most of our holidays in europe as the flights are shorter. We went to the US and Canada last year and the year before but if we can help it we will only fly Aer Lingus (Irelands national carrier). It sounds so stupid as sometimes the BA or American airlines are cheaper but we feel a bit safer on Aer Lingus.