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.

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.

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

Flight attendants vs. carry-ons

Update on April 15, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

And they have a website: http://www.endcarryoncrunch.org/

Unfortunately, they pin their hopes on the goofy Lipinsk bill which, as far as I can tell, would do nothing to alleviate the problem. Maybe they should get behind the 10/22 idea…

Check out the survey they base their concerns on. It’s obviously a weight thing, not a size thing.

Update on April 15, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Appealing to OSHA:

“The lack of OSHA protections has real consequences for flight attendants and it is time that these basic protections that are extended to almost every other worker in the United States be applied to flight attendants as well,” said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. “Our goal is to work with the FAA and OSHA in order to ensure that once and for all, strong and comprehensive regulations are enacted to protect the workplace safety and health of flight attendants.” — PR Newswire

Is the solution 10/22?

Ten kilograms/22 pounds. That’s a common international carry-on weight limit. Would not many of the issues surrounding carry-on crowding and abuse be addressed by imposing this simple limit? Continue to allow one under-seat personal item and you have a reasonable allowance by almost any standard. The weight limit for overhead stowage would enhance passenger and crew safety. It would also encourage smaller, softer, lighter bags, which would naturally free up bin space. Enforcement mechanism: a scale.

Update on April 15, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

And one other thing: The real aim of any luggage policy (checked or cabin) should be to encourage the pax to bring less total weight. That’s what would happen if the goal is less fuel burned/less pollutants emitted. No one contributes less to total aircraft weight than the one-bag traveler. However, if luggage handling is viewed as a profit center you’ll see any number of approaches, few of which will reward the light traveler.

Carry-on fee ban: the bill

Two US senators have introduced a bill to ban carry-on bag fees and clarify à la carte fee schemes. 

Cardin and Landrieu’s “Free of Fees for Carry-On Act” would require airlines to:

• Not charge fees for carry-on bags that fall within their set rules on size, weight and number of bags;
• Make detailed information about the weight, size and number of carry-on bags allowed available to passengers before they arrive at the airport for a scheduled flight;
• Provide a public list of all passenger fees and charges, including ones for checked, oversize or heavy bags; food and drink; exit row seats and other preferred seats within a class; buying tickets from an airline ticket agent or a travel agency. - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

I don’t know whether to be happy or sad about this. The intent is good. On the other hand, this is one more frontier of ineptitude and inefficiency for our growing-like-Topsy federal government.

Carry-on fee reax

U.S. TRANSPORTATION SEC. LAHOOD - “I think it’s a bit outrageous that an airline is going to charge someone to carry on a bag and put it in the overhead,” LaHood told Christopher Elliott, National Geographic Traveler’s ombudsman, and Charlie Leocha, president of the Consumer Travel Alliance, for an interview published Thursday. “And I’ve told our people to try and figure out a way to mitigate that. I think it’s ridiculous.” - seattlepi.com

AGAINST - “None of the major carriers claim to be contemplating charges on carry-on bags, but there is no doubt they will be looking at how the scheme affects Spirit’s bottom line.” - SF Chronicle editorial

JUSTIFIED - “The personal item is free. And the bag will be $20 or $30, but your fare is down by $40 or more, so the tradeoff is great…You know, the people who are outraged at this, Neil, you know who they are? They’re the people who fly other airlines and are used to being charged $500 to $1,000 for their fare. And they say, I don’t want my airline to charge me for a carry-on, when I’m paying them $600 to get on the airplane.” - Spirit CEO on Fox

AUSSIE CARRIER CONSIDERS - “Tiger Airways has refused to rule out charging for carry-on luggage after US-based Spirit Airlines became the first to slug passengers for the privilege.” - The Australian

SENATOR CONDEMNS - Low-cost U.S. airline Spirit’s “absurd” move to charge for some carry-on luggage shows the need for legislation to force full disclosure of all such fees and charges, a U.S. Senator said …“This is getting absurd. What will the airlines think up next, a fee for reclining your seat?” said Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, lead author of a measure to require airline and travel websites to provide such information to travelers before they book their tickets. - China Post

Shoes, refusals, and bins

A few Friday stories of interest:

SHOES

In an attempt to put an end to the frustration of trying to get cleared for a flight at the airport and make the trip through security a little smoother, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is looking to revive an old idea which would handle checking footwear.

Since 2001, the TSA has pushed to have passengers remove their shoes after Richard Reid tried to ignite explosives in his boots on a flight heading to the United States.  By 2006, show removal was mandatory after another failed attempt to blow up planes with liquid explosives.

With close to a dozen companies developing shoe scanning machines, the TSA has stated that it is in the process of buying 100 of these innovative pieces of technology by 2011.  - hiphopwired.com

REFUSAL

Two Muslim women in the United Kingdom refused a full-body scan at an airport, becoming the first fliers to do so, the Daily Mail reports.

The women were traveling together to Islamabad when they were selected at random by security officials to be screened with the full-body scanner.

According to the London newspaper, one of the women refused to pass through because of religious objections, while the other cited medical reasons. - nydailynews.com

BINS

Before I could wipe the stunned look off my face, Mr. Wu hoisted my compact but fairly heavy suitcase stuffed with shoes, books and too many clothes, and gingerly stowed it above my seat. Thanks Larry! Then he proceeded to do the same for other harried passengers as they boarded.

It’s not standard Virgin America procedure but Mr. Wu said it helps speed up the boarding and deplaning process. “I get my workout for the day and people are happy,” he said. He can generally fit more bags in the overhead bins by skillfully flipping them sideways or piling them on top of one another, like a game of Tetris.  And he can help ensure passengers don’t bilk the system by placing their bag at the front of the plane when they are seated farther back. - NYT

Update on March 4, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

USA Today on the shoe scanners…

Update on March 4, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Profs propose profiling

Take time to read the whole story, even if you’re skeptical…

“The biggest challenge is that we are trying to find a needle in a haystack because the fraction of criminals in the population is very small,” Cavusoglu said. “What we say is that it’s not enough to have a screening system, but if the screening system and profiler complement one another, we have a better shot at finding the needle.”

Although previous studies explore the effectiveness of profiling, Raghunathan says this is the first major study that examines how profiling can work with screening devices to create a system that balances the needs of airlines with that of customers. The UT Dallas professors began looking for a security system that provides the benefits of catching attackers while effectively outweighing the costs – in money, time, inconvenience, privacy, and liberties. - entire story at Pegasus News

Pope bashes body scans

Even the Roman pontiff is speaking out against the latest prop in security theater:

Pope Benedict XVI has spoken out against airport body scanners, insisting that “human dignity must be preserved.”

Although the pontiff did not use the words “body scanner” during the audience with airport workers, it was clear what he meant as he said: “It is above all essential to protect and value the human person in their integrity.”

Acknowledging that airports were in the forefront of the terrorist threat and suffering economically, he added: “Even in this situation, one must never forget that respecting the primacy of the human person and attention to his or her needs does not make the service less efficient nor penalize economic management.” - National Post

Update on February 23, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

by Matt, telegraph.co.uk

Euro baggies here to stay

European airports will keep restrictions on liquids carried onto aircraft for another three years because the rollout of scanning technology is behind schedule, EU nations have agreed.

The 27 European Union nations have reached agreement to maintain the restrictions on carry-on liquids until April 2013, a European Council document showed Wednesday.

Under the agreement “all airports must have the capacity to screen those products by April 29, 2013.” - AFP via Vancouver Sun

Never fear; the US will help the Euros develop another equally irritating jump-through hoop by 2013. 

Attack of the swabs

USA Today reports that roving bands of swab-wielding TSA agents will make “random” explosive residue checks of carry-on luggage at and around checkpoints and gates. Pack neatly so as not to inconvenience our public servants.

Update on February 17, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Apparently the prime target for swabbing will be your grubby little hands:

Security experts consulted by CNN said swabbing hands is a good move, and privacy advocates said they support the new swabbing protocols, provided the agency tests only for security-related objects and does not discriminate when it selects people to be tested.

It’s a “very good idea,” said security expert Tony Fainberg. TSA screeners currently swab luggage handles and parts of bags that are likely be contaminated by human hands, he said, and swabbing a person’s hands increases the chances of finding explosive materials. “Looking at the hands means you will probably get a better dose,” he said. - CNN

Update on February 18, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

TSA official presser:

TSA Expands Use of Explosive Trace Detection Technology at Airports Nationwide

Press Release

February 17, 2010

WASHINGTON - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it is expanding the random use of Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) technology at airports nationwide as an additional layer of security.

“Explosive Trace Detection technology is a critical tool in our ability to stay ahead of evolving threats to aviation security,” said TSA Acting Administrator Gale Rossides. “Expanding the use of this technology at checkpoints and at departure gates greatly enhances security to keep the traveling public safe.”

Since the Christmas Day failed attack TSA has increased its random use of ETD technology within security checkpoints to screen passengers’ hands and carry-on luggage. In addition, TSA piloted the use of ETD technology in both the checkpoint queue and boarding areas for two weeks at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Pitt-Greenville and Coastal Carolina Regional Airports in North Carolina.

Passengers can now expect to see the increased random use of ETD technology in areas where TSA currently conducts screening such as the security checkpoint, as well as in the checkpoint queue, and boarding areas. Officers may swab a piece of luggage or passengers’ hands, then use ETD technology to test for explosives. The swab is placed inside the ETD unit which analyzes the content for the presence of potential explosive residue. To ensure the health of travelers, screening swabs are disposed of after each use. Since it will be used on a random basis, passengers should not expect to see the same thing at every airport or each time they travel.

To date, the Department has awarded $15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for 400 fixed ETD units. Additionally, President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget prioritizes key investments in aviation security, including $39 million to purchase approximately 800 portable ETD machines.

Raise your arms and smile

Invasion of the body scanners:

Body scanners that look under airline passengers’ clothing for hidden weapons could be in nearly half the nation’s airport checkpoints by late 2011, according to an Obama administration plan announced Monday.

The $215 million proposal to acquire 500 scanners next year, combined with the 450 to be bought this year, marks the largest addition of airport-security equipment since immediately after the 9/11 attacks. There are only 40 body scanners in a total of 19 airports now. - USA TODAY

And, chillingly, a USA Today/Gallup poll says 78% of respondents are “OK with TSA full-body scanners.”

Frequent fryers

As we embark on the era of no scan/no fly:

Pregnant women and children should not be subject to scanning, even though the radiation dose from body scanners is “extremely small,” said the Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety report, which is restricted to the agencies concerned and not meant for public circulation. The group includes the European Commission, International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Energy Agency and the World Health Organization.

A more accurate assessment about the health risks of the screening won’t be possible until governments decide whether all passengers will be systematically scanned or randomly selected, the report said. Governments must justify the additional risk posed to passengers, and should consider “other techniques to achieve the same end without the use of ionizing radiation.” - Bloomberg 

Stangely enough, I know a scientist who works with one of the groups mentioned above. This person mentioned this very issue just two days ago when I asked them about a recent trip and whether they had been body scanned. I see a future workplace safety issue here. Lawyers take note.

Update on February 5, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

(NOT ME)Rodale:

In an American College of Radiology release, Mayo Clinic neuroradiologist Peter Kalina, MD, voices concerns over machine maintenance and record keeping, particularly if developing countries adopt the security practice. “As a traveler, I don’t know who’s checked that machine or equipment. Can I be sure there won’t be a larger dose of radiation coming from it?” Dr. Kalina asks.

No scan, no seat

New security rules took effect today at two major British airports that require selected passengers to undergo full body scans. If they refuse, they will not be allowed to board a flight. - AOL

Daily Mail: 

Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3 and 5 will see the scanners implemented in the next few weeks.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: ‘We understand the concerns expressed about privacy in relation to the deployment of body scanners, which is why we have drawn up a code of practice for their use.

‘This will ensure operators are separated from the passengers being screened, and these anonymous images are destroyed after scanning is complete.’

And the case of “scan everybody” advocates will be bolstered by this unsettling possibility: breast implants of death.

 

Canada lifts carry-on ban

The Canadian ban is over:

(Canada Air Transport News Release) OTTAWA — Canada’s Transport Minister John Baird today announced that airline passengers who are travelling to the United States are now permitted to bring one carry-on bag with some small exceptions. This new measure replaces the temporary restriction on carry-on bags introduced as a result of the December 25, 2009 security incident on Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit.

Following the incident, Transport Canada and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) accelerated its actions to protect air travellers. In addition to introducing carry-on bag restrictions, Transport Canada quickly took action to issue security notices, invest in full body scanners and announce our intention to implement a screening method known as behaviour pattern recognition.

The new one carry-on bag rule takes effect on January 20, 2010 in all Canadian airports. Details are provided in the attached fact sheet.

“The Government of Canada is strongly committed to ensuring that air travel is safe and secure, but also to ensure passengers have a reasonable level of comfort and convenience during their trips,” said Baird. “The public has been extremely patient and cooperative with the measures mandated by the United States. Effective today, there is a new and practical carry-on rule for passengers travelling to the United States, which upholds important security considerations.”

The new rule modifies restrictions in place for flights to the United States only and does not have an impact on passengers travelling within Canada or to an international destination. 

As a general rule, passengers are reminded to check with the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (www.catsa.gc.ca) or their airline for items that are permitted in carry-on luggage.

Fact sheet:

Transport Canada now permits one small carry-on bag for airline passengers who are travelling to the United States. This carry-on bag must not exceed a size of 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9 in x 16 in x 22 in), which is equivalent to the size of a small gym bag. The carry-on bag must fit into an airport’s carry-on baggage sizer.

Items such as reading material, personal electronics, and medications must be stored in the passenger’s carry-on bag, and packed prior to the security check.

As always, the Government of Canada is ensuring that exceptions are made to accommodate travellers with medical conditions or travelling with small children:

• A cane, walker, crutches or other life-sustaining items may be carried in addition to the carry-on bag.
• Medical equipment (oxygen tank, doctor’s bag) may be carried in addition to the carry-on bag.
• Diaper bags and other essential items for those carrying infants may be carried in addition to the carry-on bag.

Exemptions Include:

One of the following will be permitted in addition to the carry-on bag:

• a purse or laptop or briefcase or camera bag;
• a musical instrument;
• pets;
• all duty free items purchased after the security check.

Update on January 22, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Purse-cution?

But, what about a purse? The short answer: Yes, but CATSA is still having purse-cution issues. The latest regulations state a purse must be “small,” which CATSA spokeman Mathieu Larocque says is “a little smaller than a laptop,” about the size of a football.

Now, set aside the fact women are prevented from carrying on purses as big as laptop bags. Purses are often soft – the size and volume changes depending on how they’re handled. So, will your almost-empty bigger bag be allowed, if it can be folded to football size?

That will be up to the individual CATSA agents who should be seen as the rough equivalents of border guards. What they say goes – simple as that. - Globe and Mail

End of 3-1-1? Not!

I’ve seen posts like this one before touting new scanners that would obviate the need for 3-1-1 carry-on liquid restrictions. I’ll believe it when I see it. Deployment of the miracle scanners would take years (and how would the broke USA pay for it?). Also, security measures are like taxes: easy to implement, almost impossible to repeal. Nevertheless, here’s what the Fox blog post says about the liquid-sensitive x-ray scanner:

ScanTech’s “Sentinel” system goes beyond detecting visual threats. As bags go through the scanner, a computer analyzes how their various contents react to the X-rays and compares those reactions to a database of hazardous materials (including PETN, the explosive suspected in the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt against a Detroit-bound jetliner).

When the scanner detects a dangerous substance, it sends a warning to the operator’s screen — indicating the type of item in question and its location in the bag.

We watched one Sentinel device correctly discern between identical bottles — one filled with a popular soft drink, the others filled with flammable fluids. That particular unit is about to be shipped to Abu Dhabi, UAE. ScanTech officials say they also hope to begin testing with the TSA for possible deployment of Sentinel units at U.S. airports. - FOX

Sign the SAVE THE CARRY-ON petition

The hysteria caused by the Christmas Day incident as preciptiated a real crisis for the carry-on traveler. Register your opposition to the banning of carry-on luggage by signing the OBOW petition here. Please forward to friends and post on other message boards you visit (like FlyerTalk or Rick Steves). Our goal is 10,000 signatures. The petition text:

We, the undersigned, do petition and urge US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to allow no policy that bans airline passengers from traveling with at least one reasonably-sized item of carry-on luggage and a personal item. Banning carry-on luggage would impose an unjust, undue, and unnecessary burden on a traveling public already under great stress. - sign here

Obama the profiler?

Who saw this coming?

All travelers flying to the United States from other countries will face increased random screening, and all passengers from more than a dozen terrorism-prone nations will be patted down and have their carry-on bags searched, under new rules the Obama administration said will take effect Monday morning…

The Transportation Security Administration notified airline carriers Sunday of the changes for all flights entering the United States — with an emphasis on a “full body pat-down and physical inspection of property” for all people who are citizens of or are flying through or from nations with significant terrorist activity. TSA officials declined to name all the “countries of interest” on Sunday, but confirmed that the directive applies to the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism. - Washington Times

TSA statement:

January 3, 2010

Today, the Transportation Security Administration issued new security directives to all United States and international air carriers with inbound flights to the U.S. effective January 4, 2010.

The new directive includes long-term, sustainable security measures developed in consultation with law enforcement officials and our domestic and international partners.

Because effective aviation security must begin beyond our borders, and as a result of extraordinary cooperation from our global aviation partners, TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights.

Update on January 4, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

“Swabs better than body scanners” - buy Q-tip stock…

Update on January 4, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

“Inhuman” conditions?

Update on January 4, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Text of leaked TSA security directive at Gizmodo

Update on January 4, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Ignoring it internationally:

“Everything is the same. There is no extra security,” said an aviation official in Lebanon, one of the countries on the list. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The Obama administration ordered the changes after what authorities say was a failed attempt by a Nigerian man to blow up a jetliner bound from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day. - AP MyWay

Update on January 5, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

Joan Rivers, terrorist. I always thought she was scary but this is a bit much.