"A small measure of relief at airports"

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

A small measure of relief at airports
By STEVE HUETTEL
The St. Petersburg (FL) Times


Last week brought another twist in the security drill at airports. Travelers
reacted with a predictably wide range of emotions.

Outrage: A Wisconsin businessman was detained as he went through security
with a plastic toiletries bag carrying a handwritten message about the boss
of the Transportation Security Administration. It read, "Skip Hawley is an
idiot."

Confusion: Not everyone got the message that tiny tubes and bottles of
liquids or gels had to be in a "quart-sized, zip-top bag" to pass through.
Some travelers who used gallon-sized freezer bags had their toothpaste,
mouthwash and mascara confiscated.

Elation: "I was jumping up and down when I heard," said Tom Fitzpatrick, a
frequent flier from St. Petersburg who refuses to check a bag on business
trips.

If you need a recap, the new rules put into effect last Tuesday permit
travelers to carry small amounts of liquids and gels in carry-on bags.

Passengers are allowed to board aircraft with as many toiletries, in
containers of 3 ounces or less, as they can fit inside one clear,
quart-sized bag. They must remove the bag from their carry-on for inspection
at the security checkpoint. The rules also let passengers bring beverages
purchased in secure areas of the airport on the plane.

I've got to think most travelers welcome the TSA easing its near-total ban
on liquids and gels in carry-ons, imposed in August after British officials
said they broke up a terrorist plan to blow up airliners with liquid bombs.

Frequent business fliers would rather sit in a coach seat next to a crying
baby than check a bag.

Traveling with only a carry-on means freedom. Freedom from waiting at the
luggage carousel and from worrying about the airline losing a checked bag -
clothes, razor, bathrobe and all.

Before the changes last week, airline consultant Stuart Klaskin went so far
as to check a satchel with toiletries and keep everything else in his
carry-on roller bag.

Still, the rules raise a lot of questions. Here are a few, along with
answers from the TSA and frequent flier chat boards on the Web.

Why is a small amount of toiletries okay in a quart bag but not a gallon
bag?

The TSA believes the amount of liquids that fit into the smaller bag isn't
enough to pose a risk. The agency won't say how much is safe but doesn't
want lines slowed down by screeners adding up quantities in larger bags.

Why couldn't terrorists combine their allowable carry-on liquids into a
dangerous amount?

Authorities don't believe that is "a plausible scenario," a TSA spokesman
says. Experts say it's unlikely that many people could mix liquids in an
airliner cabin - or fit in a lavatory - without being noticed.

Are the new rules slowing down security lines?

Yes. The time to get through security has increased between 10 and 15
percent. But the TSA expects that will drop once people get more accustomed
to the rules.

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http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


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