Congo carry-on crocodile tragedy?

If true, sad. Tragic. Bizarre.

A lesson to anyone who wants to smuggle a crocodile onto a small domestic flight — you should probably decide to check your baggage instead of bringing a carry-on.

According to the Daily Telegraph, A flight to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Aug. 25 crashed into a house, killing 19 people and the pilot, because a crocodile escaped from a sports bag and passengers became panicked. The balance of the aircraft shifted because of the stampede, and the plane went down.

This new information comes from the result of an inquiry and testimony from the plane’s lone survivor. Actually, we should mention there was another survivor — the crocodile. Sadly, as he wasn’t the one who put himself in a sports bag, he was killed with a machete. - National Post

From the Daily Telegraph source story:

A report of the incident said: “The terrified air hostess hurried towards the cockpit, followed by the passengers.”

The plane was then sent off-balance “despite the desperate efforts of the pilot”, said the report.

The plane was a Czech-made Let L-410 Turbolet, one of more than 1,100 produced as short-range transport aircraft and used mainly for passenger services.

Update on October 22, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Probably an isolated case (not)

In Nigeria…

The 3D full-body scanners procured for thorough body check of passengers at the nation’s major airports for security reasons are now being abused by security officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), THISDAY can confirm.

They use the machines, installed in the wake of the Farouk AbdulMutallab affair, to watch the naked images of female passengers for fun…

THISDAY discovered that during off-peak periods, the aviation security officials, who are trained on the use of the scanners, usually stroll from the cubicle located in a hidden corner on the right side of the screening area where the 3D full-body scanner monitors are located.

They do so to catch a glimpse of some of the passengers entering the machine and immediately go back to view the naked images, in order to match the faces with the images since the faces are blurred on the monitors while passengers are inside the machine. - THIS DAY

Update on September 30, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

And isn’t this comforting?

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the push aims to counter terrorists who might use international flights for attacks by smuggling explosives through overseas metal detectors. Such devices can’t stop suicide bombers from hiding unconventional weapons under their clothes. A Nigerian man is under federal indictment for trying to blow up an international flight headed for Detroit in December by igniting powdered explosives in his underwear.

“We need to move to the next stage of screening,” Napolitano told USA TODAY. Terrorists “have kind of figured out the magnetometer business.”- USA Today

More power for the blue shirts

TSA or CTU?

The new head of the Transportation Security Administration say he’s giving 10,000 of the agency’s employees access to secret intelligence information to better enable them to detect threats and stop terrorists.

John Pistole told an aviation luncheon that he views TSA as a counterterrorism agency. He said his goal is to get the latest intelligence to all employees who have what he called an “action need” to “inform their judgment and decision-making.” - AP

No word on whether the TSA will be employing Jack Bauer.

Update on September 28, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

More on TSA’s latest:

All hands - enhanced patdown

Now this:

Logan airport security just got more up close and personal as federal screeners launched a more aggressive palms-first, slide-down body search technique that has renewed the debate over privacy vs. safety.

The new procedure - already being questioned by the ACLU - replaces the Transportation Security Administration’s former back-of-the-hand patdown.

Boston is one of only two cities in which the new touchy-feely frisking is being implemented as a test before a planned national rollout. The other is Las Vegas. - Boston Herald

Update on August 24, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Big Sister Janet is still very proud of the girls and boys in blue:

Secretary Napolitano Announces Second Major Aviation Security Milestone this Month

Press Release

June 24, 2010

DHS now performs 100 percent watchlist matching for all flights by all U.S. air carriers

Washington, D.C.—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced that 100 percent of passengers flying domestically and internationally on U.S. airlines are now being checked against government watch lists through the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight program—the second major step in fulfilling a key 9/11 Commission recommendation achieved this month.

Today’s announcement comes less than three weeks after TSA reached 100 percent watchlist checking for all passengers traveling within the United States and its territories through Secure Flight. Before TSA began implementing Secure Flight, airlines held responsibility for checking passengers against terrorist watchlists. - DHS

TSA's (felonious?) follies

Now that’s what I call a checkpoint:

At what point does an airport search step over the line?

How about when they start going through your checks, and the police call your husband, suspicious you were clearing out the bank account? - read more (HT: Jeff)

Tangled up in blue:

 A former supervisor for the federal Transportation Security Administration has pleaded guilty to stealing $20,000 worth of jewelry and other items from checked luggage at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. - read more

Spirit CEO votes for the coat?

Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza must have been reading OBOW. He says (in effect). “Hey, wimps, you don’t need no stinkin’ bags. Get one of those new travel trenchcoats and no-bag it already!” 

‘The head of the nation’s most fee-happy airline told Congress today that bringing luggage on vacation was “not essential” to travel and his airline was actually helping the poor fly by charging up to $45 to place a carry-on bag in the overhead bin.’ - ABC

A reminder, Spirit charges for carry-ons but not for one personal bag which must fit underneath a seat and measure 16 x 14 x 12” (40 x 35 x 30cm) or less. 

Update on July 15, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Update on July 15, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Here’s a thought: since Spirit expressly allows several items like coats, wraps, etc. to be excluded from the carry-on fees, someone should design a bag that looks like a folded raincoat. The TSA people wouldn’t care - they’d just scan it with everything else. The gate agents would just see a bulky, folded coat. It would need hideaway straps, obviously.

Carry on then hold on

We’ve been down this road before but I must take you there again. Ryanair again floats pay-to-pee, no-seat travel. Since Ryanair promotes carry-on/no-checked-bags travel you wonder where the standing passengers’ bags are going to go. You also wonder if this idea will ever fly. Or if it’s just another of O’Leary’s stunts.

Update on July 3, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

More checkpoint follies - bogus or heinous?

For real? Scam? Better stick with that cool $29 Casio watch, just in case:

Imagine being ordered by airport security workers to put your very expensive watch on a scanning belt, over your objections. Then imagine going to retrieve it and it’s gone.

A Baker County woman says that experience at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia last year  cost her a $24,000 Rolex her husband saved up to buy her on her 50th birthday.

Now she’s suing the U.S. Transportation Security Administration after the agency rejected her claim letter and her congressman unsuccessfully attempted to intervene. - Florida Times-Union/jacksonville.com

Lesson - bling is not the thing at the checkpoint.

Update on May 27, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

FlyerTalk thread one Watchgate.

Be nice or be listed

“Airline passengers who get frustrated and kick a wall, throw a suitcase or make a pithy comment to a screener could find themselves in a little-known Homeland Security database.

The Transportation Security Administration says it is keeping records of people who make its screeners feel threatened as part of an effort to prevent workplace violence.” - USA Today

Update on June 1, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

TSA blog response:

You may have read or heard about a recent article on how fliers might end up in a TSA workplace violence database. The fact is, TSA screens nearly 2 million passengers each day at over 450 airports nationwide. Since we began the workplace violence program in 2007, we’ve screened over a billion air travelers and yet only about 30 passengers are included on this list.

Roughly 30 names out of the more than 1,000,000,000 passengers screened by TSA since 2007 made the cut.

So how did these 30 folks make the list? Two options:

• The police got involved.  In all but one incident, local police officers responded to assist in resolving the incident.

• They got arrested. In the majority of these cases, the individuals involved were arrested or issued summonses by local law enforcement officers for allegedly assaulting a Transportation Security Officer.

In short, to join this select group, a passenger has to commit an egregious act that harms, or threatens to harm, either passengers, airline personnel, or Transportation Security Officers.

Update on June 1, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Monte’s new nickname: “Old Number 31”

Quirky & crafty Ryanair

The Emerald Isle’s Rynair has figured out how to make a little more green. The carrier, which - to its credit - encourages traveling with carry-on only, limits flyers to only one bag of the typical international size (55x40x20 cm/ 22x16x8 inches at 10 kg/22 pounds).  Since this size of luggage is so difficult to find (not!) Ryanair will now sell you a Samsonite roller designed (so they say) exclusively for Ryanair. Humorous. Check this:

President of Samsonite Europe Fabio Rugarli, said, “Samsonite’s global expertise in producing innovative luggage to suit all travel occasions, made this project with Ryanair an appealing partnership. Our design and technology specialists responded to the brief, creating well-priced, practical and compact luggage to fit the absolute precise measurements of Ryanair’s hand luggage specifications. We know that there is nothing more reassuring than travelling to the airport with the knowledge that your hand luggage will fit into the aircraft cabin.”

*As this Samsonite bag is softsided, if over-packed it may not fit into Ryanair’s baggage sizers and in such cases Ryanair will require it to be carried as checked-in baggage. - link

That’s right, the bulgy soft-sided roller can easily exceed the size limit, thus incurring a checked charge. And how many poor souls will pack it to 25 pounds with the same result? Ryanair is all heart. If they’re going to sell a bag to encourage carry-on, no-fee travel shouldn’t it be about 2/3 of maximum carry-on size, sans wheels to save weight? As it is, they make money on their bogus bag, then they make money when it’s too heavy or too large!

TSA's got the 311

3-1-1 gone? 

Not so. While we continue to aggressively work to find a way to relax the 3-1-1 requirements, we know liquid explosives still pose a threat to aviation security. This remains a top priority and TSA is partnering with vendors to find a solution that effectively screens liquids. - TSA blog

And you can take that to your failed Icelandic or Greek bank.

More on 3-1-1 fade

For the greatest volume of information from the greatest number of hardcore travelers, turn to FlyerTalk. This I did for feedback on the alleged relaxation ( albeit de facto, unofficial, and inconsistent) of the 3-1-1 liquid rules. I learned that the facts of the MSNBC story referenced below are largely borne out by recent experience. I also learned/was reminded that the FT boards are sometimes rendered almost useless by needless sniping and bitterness. Thank goodness for kinder, gentler OBOWers!

To be honest, enforcement of 3-1-1 has always been spotty. I’ve seen lots of stuff go through and lots go into the trashcan. It is enough to make us rule followers feel like suckers. Still, I’m not feeling lucky. I’ll keeping bagging by rule.

3-1-1 fading away?

Here’s a story from MSNBC that suggests this is so:

The Transportation Security Administration’s unpopular restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage — better known as the 3-1-1 rule — are history.

Passengers say the TSA has all but stopped screening their baggage for liquids. They say transportation security officers no longer ask them to remove lotions, shampoos and even water bottles from their luggage, and overlook all manner of liquids packed in their carry-ons during screening.

“I was never asked about the liquids in my bag or asked to remove them,” says Doris Casamento, a retiree from Naples, Fla., who recently flew from Miami to Rome. “My husband had a bottle of water from the hotel he forgot was in his carry-on and it was never confiscated. The water was in a shallow shoulder-bag bulging practically in plain sight.” - MSNBC/Christopher Elliot

Whether this is the result of blessed restraint, screener fatigue, mission creep, or serendipitous laxity, who knows? Be sure that the “discretion” mentioned by the TSA official can never be counted on when you’d most like to have it. We’ve heard several times before that this easing would come. But I’ll bet if this policy could talk, one day soon it will say, “Reports of my death were greatly exxagerated.”

Update on May 10, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Thanks to Super Monte for the tip on this one.

You knew this was going to happen

Do strip search scanners really enhance security? Maybe. Do they facilitate locker room humor and offer infinite opportunity for embarrasment and coarse jokes? Definitely.

An airport security guard allegedly battered a colleague who ridiculed him about the size of his manhood after he walked through a hi-tech body scanner.

Miami-Dade Police say Rolando Negrin snapped because he ‘couldn’t take the jokes anymore’.

During a training session at Miami International Airport, Negrin’s co-workers had noticed his private parts as he walked through a new ‘whole body image’ machine. - Daily Mail

Don’t worry, I’m sure only employees are subjected to this type of scrutiny — never passengers. See the police report here.

Euro liquidity

The European Union will end current restrictions on liquids in air passengers’ hand luggage by April 2013 in an overhaul of aviation security, the EU’s executive said on Thursday.

European airports will have to install new technology capable of detecting liquid explosives as a result of the move.- Reuters via Globe & Mail

I’m filing this in the “Don’t hold your breath” category. This depends on the assumption that the proper (very expensive) scanners will be in place across Europe in time — doubtful in my opinion. One unfortunate incident and everything changes. We all know that.

New word: pre-reclined

Pre-reclined - adj., (2010) - obfuscatory budget airline spin control jargon, formerly non-reclining…

Spirit simplifies your life further. The stressful decisions - do I recline my seat or not, if so, how much??? No more. Their new seats are pre-reclined!

Spirit’s two new Airbus 320 aircraft feature “pre-reclined” seats, spokeswoman Misty Pinson said Tuesday. That means even Spirit passengers who want to pay for reclining airline seats won’t have that option.

The Miramar-based airline put the first A-320 into service on March 14 for the Fort Lauderdale-Washington, D.C., route. The other arrived last week and currently is being used on flights between Fort Lauderdale and New York’s LaGuardia airport. Two more A-320s will join the company’s fleet this summer, and both will feature the “pre-reclined” seat design, Pinson said. - sun-sentinel.com

Imagine the Sprit executives shocked delight when they learned this comfort-enhancing approach allowed them to install more seats. Will wonders never cease?

Not a personal problem, poll

Chicago Tribune travel editor goes personal-only with help from a ScottEVest jacket:

When Spirit Airlines broke new ground by announcing that it will charge passengers $45 for carry-on bags starting Aug.1, I took it as a personal challenge. I had to prove I could travel without even a carry-on.

The answer is in what the airlines call a “personal item.” That typically is a briefcase, purse or, in Spirit’s case, its Web site even shows a small backpack. To prove my case, I used a Case Logic bag measuring a mere 13 by 9 by 4 inches and an SeV/Scottevest Pack Windbreaker, with its 17 pockets ($75 from scottevest.com). — full story

And, yet another editorial in favor of carry-on fees, accompanied by an online poll you can weigh in on.

Charge $100 to carry-on, he says

The Federal Aviation Administration likes to make rules, so here’s a suggestion. Ban carry-on bags. Exceptions only for items that you need during the flight, such as computers, snakes, books and magazines, diapers. If you absolutely must have a carry-on bag for whatever reason, you get charged Spirit’s $45, or better yet, $100 for the privilege. If you absolutely must have a carry-on bag because you can’t let your bag out of your sight, you should see a shrink. If you must have a bag because you don’t want the inconvenience of waiting at the baggage carousel like everyone else, tough; you pay for the luxury just like first class passengers do for their extra benefits. - Dennis Byrne, Chicago Now

OBOW’s Man of the Year, 2010?

Ban all carry-ons, says one more pundit - yet another candidate for Man of the Year.

Five say no fee, carry-ons free!

From MSNBC:

“We believe it is something that’s important to our customers and they value, and we will continue making that available to them at no charge,” American Airlines spokesman Roger Frizzell said.

New York Sen. Charles Schumer said Sunday that American, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue Airways each have committed to him that they would not institute fees for carry-on bags. He said he was hopeful other carriers would follow suit.

Notably absent from the list was Continental Airlines, which is said to be in merger talks with United.

(Thanks to super traveler Monte for the heads-up.)

Update on April 18, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Announced by a Senator? Political arm twisting involved? I suspect we’ll learn more at the week unfolds. Maybe this is an opportunity to set some standards — a uniform weight & size limit in exchange for the no-fee pledge???

Update on April 18, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Cranky’s Carry-on Guide for Misinformed Senators

That's NOT the Spirit

Yikes. Here’s part of a “modest proposal” from a fairly influential travel website:

In any case, the US Congress should back off. if Spirit or any other airline decides to ban larger-sized carry-ons for safety reasons or to charge for them for revenue-enhanhcement reasons or to discourage passengers from using the overhead bins altogether, then that’s their business. If the government were really consumer focused, they should recognize the health hazards of large carry-on luggage and encourage airlines to ban the practice altogether, following Spirit’s model of only permitting smaller carry-ons that fit under the seat. - airfarewatchdog.com via Yahoo News

He argues that banning all larger-than-personal carry-ons would increase airline efficiency by speeding loading and unloading. What about weather, runway backups, mechanical failure, and food trucks with flat tires? He also admits the increase in checked baggage would require more airline employees ($$$) and further assumes that checked bags would be free again in this future wonderland of no “large” carry-ons. I’m not buying it.