WOW Lise! I may be pulled over too since my license says my hair is brown, but my current color(s) are brown, blond and purple. (You'll have to take my word for it...it's done very tastefully).:)
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WOW Lise! I may be pulled over too since my license says my hair is brown, but my current color(s) are brown, blond and purple. (You'll have to take my word for it...it's done very tastefully).:)
Great, I'm flying to Japan in a couple weeks and my passport has my maiden name! It was OK for my last trip, but this increased security is making me a little nervous. Maybe I'll bring the original marriage license, instead of a photo-copy, this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
For girls with contacts, you can always use saliva to re-wet them. I've had situations where I had to get the contact out and didn't have anything, but saliva worked. It's not he greatest, a little disgusting, but it gets the job done!
Hey Salsa, get your passport updated, they ARE getting really strict!!Quote:
Originally Posted by SalsaMTB
you don't have to use racial profiling to make an airport safe. Read about the experiment they did in Dulles airport a few years ago. I'm not allowed to include the whole article, but you'll get the drift:
http://select.nytimes.com/2006/08/15...ierney.html?hp
The Dulles experiment was radical even in 2003, when airport screeners
thought nothing of making passengers wait while they searched Grandma's
purse for nail scissors. But a few experts wondered if there was a better
use of everyone's time.
The screeners at Dulles stopped worrying about pen knives, shoes and
laptops, allowing passengers to pass through more quickly. The speed of the
line increased by nearly a third. The screening process required fewer
workers, but they detected more problems because they worked smarter.
Instead of looking for things, they looked at people. Borrowing techniques
from Israeli airports and the U.S. Customs Service, screeners observed a
passenger as he entered the airport, checked luggage and stood in line at
the security checkpoint.
The screeners were looking for unusual behavior like sweating, rigid
posture, clenched fists. A screener would engage a passenger in conversation
and ask questions he wouldn't have been trained to expect, like whether he'd
seen a Redskins game the night before even though the Redskins hadn't
played.
The screeners were looking for telltale body language of someone trying too
hard to act natural. When they spotted it, they singled out that person for
interrogation, a pat-down and a luggage search. The screeners caught no
terrorists, but they consistently found people with something to hide, often
a forged visa, a stolen airline ticket, drugs or other smuggled goods.
Scott McHugh, who oversaw the Dulles program for the Transportation Security
Administration, is confident this type of screening would have flagged the
Sept. 11 terrorists or the latest plotters in London. "If you look at the
videos of 9/11 terrorists and the interviews with people who talked to
them," he says, "they all exhibit symptoms of stress that would have been
identified, like failure to make eye contact and failure to answer questions
directly. They're not exactly sophisticated. They're under so much stress
that anything out of the ordinary really throws them off their game."
I know, I've been trying to figure out what to do. My trip is less than 2 weeks away, so I can't expedite it. There are places you can go for quicker service, the closest one is like a 4 or 5 hour drive, and of course, they're only open on during the week. Hmmm....maybe it's worth it. Like I said, last time I went to Japan, no questions were asked, they didn't even look at my marriage license. Now, though, I'm a bit nervous!Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
Mimitabby, very interesting info about the observation of passengers for signs of stress. For about two years after 9/11, I was so nervous in airports that I might well have been pulled out of line. I wasn't nervous about flying--I accept that when my time comes, I'll go. But I was afraid I'd answer the questions "wrong" somehow. I have nothing to hide! What a goof.
My sister lived in Israel for 15 years, and I flew there three times. The Israelis are not playing around. They grilled me, coming and going. I have a Germanic name--back in the 80s there was terrorism coming out of Germany. I was a young, blonde, non-Jewish American--I could easily have been wooed and deceived by a charming terrorist who hid something on me or convinced me to carry something. My young blonde American sister lived there. Why? Good questions, all. A little nerve wracking, but hey, I'll fly the Israeli carrier, ElAl, any day! With or without eyedrops. ;)
Sigh... I just read that now it is THE LAW that they xray your shoes even though the xrays do not find the bombs in shoes.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaind...120.xml&coll=2
Report: X-rays unable to detect shoe explosives
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Leslie Miller
Associated Press
Washington -- X-ray machines used to screen passengers' shoes are unable to detect explosives, according to a Homeland Security Department report on aviation screening.
Findings from the report did not stop the Transportation Security Administration from announcing Sunday that all airline passengers must remove their shoes and run them through X-ray machines before boarding commercial aircraft.
The shoe-scanning requirement was ordered as the government fine-tunes new security procedures since British police last week broke up a terrorist plot to assemble and detonate bombs aboard as many as 10 airliners crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Britain to the U.S. Among the new procedures are a ban on liquids and gels in airline passenger cabins, more hand searches of carry-on luggage, and random double screening of passengers at boarding gates.
i heard this morning that you can have 4 oz of liquid on you now and carry non Rx with you. haven't researched it yet, but this is what i'm now hearing....
edit: it is for disabled and diabetics: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1059.shtm
You're right...ElAl doesn't mess around with security. My husband is a police officer at LAX and the security measures when ElAl flies out of there three days a week are amazing. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Lise
I was in India for 3 months in 2001 (before, during and after 9/11) and even before 9/11 the security measures were very impressive, in Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, and even Pune, where we were based (Pune is a pretty big city, but not huge.) They certainly made our pre-9/11 airport security look essentially non-existent.
Every carry-on and checked bag was x-rayed as you entered the terminal, and then most were opened and rifled through, right there on big tables in front of everyone (:eek:). [And believe me, there was a good bit of general interest in what everyone had packed in their luggage!] Also, only ticketed passengers could come into the terminal and out to the gates, or people with special clearance.
Then at the gate, before walking out onto the tarmac, every carry-on bag was screened again, and opened and looked through, and ID was checked again, and every passenger was "wanded" and patted down. They had a little screened area where a female officer patted down the women passengers. It was very throrough, and I felt quite safe after all that scrutiny.
We were on one of the first few flights out of India to the US after 9/11, and when we left from Mumbai, it was pretty much the same security measures, but with a more fierce kind of attention to it.
Just to re-assure you folks - BAA (that's the British Airport Authority) has announced they have 'lost' 5,000 pieces of hand baggage. Yes that's 5,000 - that's the hand baggage they stopped people carrying on to planes in case it contained explosive material.
Apparently they are not 'lost' they are 'in the system' - some may have been sent to other airports in error. So what happened to the rule that your baggage couldn't fly without you?
I am going to have a similar issue pretty soon. We are going to Ukraine in 2 weeks and my passport and green card have different names. I am taking every single document with me to prove that I am not an "elefant". Now I am also pragnent and cannot imagine going through the airport without my water. Plus my vitamins are gelled. So, what am I supposed to do? This is just going to very annoying.Quote:
Originally Posted by SalsaMTB
Lenusik--speaking as a midwife, I would not worry about you missing a day or two of vitamins. They are a good supplement, but your food is your baby's greatest nourishment. Please do drink lots of water in the week before you travel, while you're in the airport, and then on the plane. I am sure the flight attendants will be helpful with that. I wonder if you could bring an empty water bottle with you and ask them to fill it on the plane?
Also remember to get up and walk frequently to prevent blood clots in your legs.
Take care,
Lise
hmmmmm you pack your vitamins in your checked baggage... and once you are on the plane an in the air... you ask for a glass of water?
i guess i don't understand the whole "bring water on the plane" thing... cuz i've never done it... i always just get water and/or soda or juice from them... they start serving it shortly after lift off?????
now eye drops... chap stick (and electronics for entertainment for some) i can see being annoyed about not having them.... but water.. and make up... and deoderant.. and vitamins... you can take them... just have to pack them in checked baggage!
Thanks, Lise. I am not afraid of missing my vitamins. But it is a matter of principle. Some things just do not make sense. Being 9 hours on a plane without tooth paste is really annoying. Now I have to stock brush ups. But I want to have my own water with lemon in my own bottle. I don't think that I am asking for too much especially if I am drinking in from of the security personnel. I hope that they do not suggest that I drink explosives. I just need to stay positive and go with the flow. I am finally going home after 5 years, I have to stay positive.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lise
rules are rules.... and if the rule is no water.. the i wouldn't even push the issue... they will give you water once you are on the plane and in the air. you just need to understand that they aren't going to bend the rules for one person to allow you to take your own water! plus all you'll end up doing is holding up the line of people behind you that are waiting to get through security!Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenusik
there really is no "matter of principle" here... it's all a matter of safety and RULES....
as for freshening your breath... take a stick of gum... then once you are off the plane and have your checked luggage back... brush your teeth! i would never use icky plane bathroom water to brush my teeth... ewwwwww!
I must say that I'm glad that I flew to Dallas a few weeks ago and not after the bomb scare. :/ I have many medications which are labeled to me, under the name everyone knows me by, and not by my old asian name that only my parents call me. :/ It would mean getting new prescriptions filled out, mail ordered, etc etc... and since I have 8 separate prescriptions, from three different doctors, it would definately be a pain.
Keeping the meds in their original bottles is also a pain. I'm having to now mail order my medications, so each bottle holds typically 3 months of medication. If I lost my meds, I believe the insurance that I have would require that I pay for the replacement out of pocket. We're talking about $6k. :/ And since I need those meds to live, the alternative isn't very good.
*sigh*
I think I'm going to avoid flying for a while again. :(
Mel
Some of us can't chew gum; I've always found it a lousy alternative to teeth brushing, and it hurts my jaws and teeth.
I'm like Lenusik, I go everywhere with my water bottle. I'd rather bring my own than have some poor cabin attendant running down the aisle every time I want a drink. Considering I can finish off a liter easily, that would be a lot of running.
On many flights I've been on, there either is no service or too many needy people monopolizing the attendants. Then they barely have time to do much else but run down the aisle throwing pretzels.
hmmmmm well... take some lifesavers.... breath mints.... tic tacs..... ..
as for the water... well.. if anyone is going to fly... they are just going to have to go with the flow or change their plans until such time that you are allowed to haul your water with you.... (geez... if i drank all that water... i'd be annoying the passenger next to me getting up to go pee every 2 minutes! :eek: )
Gaaah, I just found out I'm flying to DC next week.
I so don't want to deal with airlines right now! :p
I usually sleep during long flights and don't need to drink all that much. But pregantn women tend to be thirsty - ALL THE TIME. Besides they aslo go to the bathroom more often. So, I am not planning to "save" anybody from my needs. I alreasy bought some brush ups to replace toothpaste. This should help.Quote:
Originally Posted by caligurl
Caligurl,Quote:
Originally Posted by caligurl
I fly to Italy... The legs of the flights can be 8 or 10 hours or longer. I can assure you they do not give you enough water. I always (in the past) carried a water bottle and on one of these long flights, if you don't drink enough; you're going to get dehydrated.. So I practically run up and down the aisles of the plane, (to keep my legs from driving me nuts) and get water often too.
I also go to the bathroom a lot...
Yep. They are patting down everybody. Which, for me, means explaining to a new security agent at each flight what an ostomy bag is. Anyways ... at least this trip no stupid person in uniform asked me to take it off and show it to him/her :eek: :mad: ! But back to the general pat-down procedure: That's what makes the security line snake all the way through the pre-security shopping area now -- sloooooowly! That, and people who try arguing with the staff about their hand cream or eye drops or whatever. My conclusions after flying to and from UK on the first days of this:Quote:
Originally Posted by SalsaMTB
1) Be prepared! Get prescriptions for whatever liquids you need. Pack according to the current list. Allow plenty of boarding time.
2) Be patient! It takes the time it takes. People are doing their best. Planes are running pretty much on time. Nothing has blown up yet.
3) Remember the silver linings: Less hand luggage means more leg space! Scared off fellow passengers can mean an empty seat beside you!
4) Forget about arguing. It gets you nowhere. It only adds irritation to your trip.
5) Remember travel insurance! Lost luggage? Yes, it's more likely with even your "cabin" baggage checked, but who cares? 4 hours delayed luggage means I get to do $300 worth of shopping. :) And then eventually the old stuff turns up again. Just be sure to email any vital documents to yourself (like the notes for that lecture you're travelling to hold), then you can always print them out again at the other end if they're lost.
6) Water rules: The day I travelled, you COULD buy water inside and take it with you EXCEPT on flights to/from the UK. Now they may be more restrictive on that. But attendants were more than usually attendant about hydration. They were there with the water & juice every few minutes, it seemed.
7) For me the strangest rule was that you're not allowed to take any reading materials with you through security, but you can buy them inside and take them on the plane. So post-security the shops are hurting on liquor sales, but making out like thieves on sales of books, newspapers, etc. Oh well. silver linings again: It forced me NOT to try working on the plane, and it "forced" me to buy more recreational literature.
that's what've been saying... rules are rules... and arguing only slows down the line behind you (but everyone here seems to want to argue about that, too!)Quote:
Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels
your point.... and my point.. the rules are there... no point in arguing at the airport to try to get your way... you know the rules... either cancel your flight or go with the flow... figure out alternatives....
Honestly, I guess I'm sort of glad they are patting down everyone. Seems a lot more secure when we're talking liquid explosives!Quote:
Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels
i missed this the first time around... there... water problem solved! phew!Quote:
Originally Posted by Duck on Wheels
NOW what would you like to argue about? perhaps the color of the sky? http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/203.gif
i'm with you... i'd rather have the tight security and no liquids if it means the plane isn't going to be blown up! a little inconvenience to come through alive makes a lot more sense to me!Quote:
Originally Posted by SalsaMTB
It's nice and easy to argue about it here. We all know better than to argue in the security lines!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by caligurl
Well, I may have flown before all the rules were set in stone. I had my meds for the day (prescription and non-prescription) counted out into a small tin from a tea bag package. They (security guards at each flight) asked what was in the tin. I opened it, showed them, and said it was all my medications counted out for the day. They shrugged and let me through with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody
I too have some name variations to deal with, but they didn't seem to look too closely. Are you sure you couldn't get one doctor to write you a "prescription" to cover all your meds for travel purposes? Maybe your GP?
Also, I mixed various meds into one (prescription) bottle. I'd done this before I learned of the new regulations, just to save space. After all, they are color and shape coded. I don't need half a dozen half-empty bottles just to keep them sorted. This too did not create a problem: Prescription bottle. Name matches ticket. Nobody checked whether contents matched label. Hmmmm. Maybe not so secure after all. But maybe they would have checked more closely if I'd been wearing a chador. :(
don't want one of these http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/135.gif???Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
well at least you see it's futile to argue at the airport... others have stated would/will argue... although again.. that's here and not actually at eh airport... so maybe just venting and they'll not argue and slow the lines down once they get there???????
Lol. no, at the airport I am quiet, friendly, and do WHATEVER they tell me.
QUICKLY...
That doesn't mean I LIKE it or I WANT TO! :eek:
Oh, yeas. I am very calm and quiet, and I have no plans to argue. But I just might puke on everybody by accident. This would be a lot of fun for the security.Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
lenusik - when is your baby due? Are you still having morning (or in my sister's case all day) sickness?
Quote:
Originally Posted by caligurl
You should post more often - you certainly liven things up! :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruno28
http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/194.gif at least someone appreciates me! lol!
LOTS OF US DO!!Quote:
Originally Posted by caligurl
Yeah...I'd already figured you were trouble, mimi ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/184.gif
yes i agree with that. (love the smilies) but what were we orriginally talking about? http://www.smileypad.com/v224/Banners/Off-Topic2.gif i don't remember anymore......Quote:
Originally Posted by mimitabby
I am due at the end of March. And I really don't have any morning or all days sickness because I plan my meals a drinks apropraitely. But if I don't eat or don't have my water, oh, I cannot promise that whatever I had earlier will stay inside.Quote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
Anyway, back to the topic. I am not changing my tickets because of the silly rules. I am pretty sure that in couple of weeks things will be changed again.