# What’s with Air France and Paris? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 20, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736 "2010-01-20T20:25:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cantara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@cantara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cantara)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/21 "2010-01-22T15:05:04Z")
Don’t know about the lighter/match problem but I can relate to the security check. We flew on a small aircraft (80 passenger?) from Zanzibar to Arusha with a stop in Dar es Salaam. I think the flight continued to Bukoba in the west of Tanzania. This is a domestic flight only and seems to continue in a circle making 3 or 4 loops a day. The flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam was about 30 minutes. The flight from Dar es Salaam to Arusha was about 90 minutes. When we landed at Dar es Salaam, everybody had to take their carry-ons and walk to the terminal where we had to go through **2** security checkpoints (removing belts and shoes and inspecting medications). At no point were we anywhere near the public and still behind the security area. We then had to get to our gate immediately where we boarded a bus that took us to…the plane we just got off. Our luggage was never taken off. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/22 "2010-01-22T15:17:57Z")
> [@cantara](#): > > Don’t know about the lighter/match problem but I can relate to the security check. > > We flew on a small aircraft (80 passenger?) from Zanzibar to Arusha with a stop in Dar es Salaam. I think the flight continued to Bukoba in the west of Tanzania. This is a domestic flight only and seems to continue in a circle making 3 or 4 loops a day. The flight from Zanzibar to Dar es Salaam was about 30 minutes. The flight from Dar es Salaam to Arusha was about 90 minutes. > > When we landed at Dar es Salaam, everybody had to take their carry-ons and walk to the terminal where we had to go through **2** security checkpoints (removing belts and shoes and inspecting medications). At no point were we anywhere near the public and still behind the security area. We then had to get to our gate immediately where we boarded a bus that took us to…the plane we just got off. Our luggage was never taken off. The savvy terrorist of today orders his bombs from inflight magazines. You have to catch them in some way. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/23 "2010-01-22T15:50:48Z")
[quote=“1920s Style “Death Ray”, post:9, topic:525736”] A Qantas B737 pilot was conducting a pre-flight “walk around” at Broome in Australia. The aircraft was parked quite close to a painted line that marks the boundary where the secure airline area meets the unsecure general aviation area. He stepped over the painted line while looking up at the aircraft tail. Unfortunately he was seen by a security idiot who then informed him that he had to go through security again. [/QUOTE] I wonder if Australian aviation security wonks have figured out that a painted line is not an effective barrier yet. > [@](#): > > I have therefore learnt NOT to carry a lighter and carry a match instead. I used to work at the Orlando airport, and I have been trying to spread the gospel of “give a lighter, take a lighter” for US domestic flights - when you go into the airport, you leave your lighter on the side of an ashtray outside. When you reach your destination, you step outside, find an ashtray, and there should be at least a couple of lighters nearby. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/24 "2010-01-22T17:00:00Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > They don’t pay those airport security folks much. > [@wisernow](#): > > I am sorry, but I didn’t understand this. > > I did not pay anything to the security agent on account of which he did me a favor. “They don’t pay them much” = “They do not represent the best and brightest of modern security personnel” = “They take a person who can’t qualify for another job and send them to 100 hours of training and slap a uniform on them” [quote=“1920s Style “Death Ray”, post:9, topic:525736”] He stepped over the painted line while looking up at the aircraft tail. Unfortunately he was seen by a security idiot who then informed him that he had to go through security again. [/quote] Case in point. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/25 "2010-01-22T23:22:28Z")
> [@wisernow](#): > > I can understand that if I flew in on a different airline. In my case, I flew in on Air France and was flying out on Air France. > > If they could have me on board on the incoming flight, why do they need to screem me again when I have not been out of their sight? I guess you could have put something together on the flight that wasn’t allowed. Air France flies to and from all sorts of destinations - security-wise, they wouldn’t be treated any differently to any other airline. Imagine if someone did manage to smuggle something onto the plane and then blew up CdG airport because nobody at the other end checked. The staff there would either be in lots of trouble or dead. From their POV it’s better to check at their end rather than trust the guys at the other end to get it right. I do dislike a lot of the current paranoid ‘safety’ crap, but I don’t think security checks either end and at transfers are an example of that. Not a clue what was going on with the lighter, though. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAlecCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SmartAlecCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAlecCat)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/26 "2010-01-23T15:34:25Z")
I suspect the lighters weren’t confiscated, but rather forgotten and left at security after screening… ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/27 "2010-01-23T16:28:37Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Lucky I was way early so I got out of line and ate all four peanut butter cups then went through. 3 oz. each cup ? And you still like peanut butter ?😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/28 "2010-01-23T16:47:10Z")
Lighters are confiscated, sent for analysis, and put back in circulation… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/29 "2010-01-26T00:40:03Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Just remember if you fly Air Canada, [the Canadian government now requires “nut-free” zones](http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=14170.blog) on all their flights to accommodate those with peanut allergies. Since some people could be allergic to even Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, eat fast before boarding. Think how much the airline experience could be improved if the entire plane were made a nut free zone. I hope it catches on. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/30 "2010-01-26T07:51:26Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > Think how much the airline experience could be improved if the entire plane were made a nut free zone. I hope it catches on. 😃 I dunno. I realize people \*really \*want to feel safe when flying, but mandatory emasculation strikes me as overdoing things. ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/31 "2010-01-26T14:13:27Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I used to work at the Orlando airport, and I have been trying to spread the gospel of “give a lighter, take a lighter” for US domestic flights - when you go into the airport, you leave your lighter on the side of an ashtray outside. > > When you reach your destination, you step outside, find an ashtray, and there should be at least a couple of lighters nearby. I am intrigued by your idea and wish to subscribe to your newsletter. Please bill the next poster. Seriously – With the vagueness and inconsistent enforcement in TSA’s prohibited objects list (excuse me, “security through obscurity”), a “share and share alike” exchange has merit. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/32 "2010-01-26T14:17:47Z")
I think it’s a great plan. Unfortunately there are some places where it doesn’t work, like Dulles, which doesn’t seem to have any ashtrays at all. ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/33 "2010-01-26T21:01:00Z")
Why were there lighters at security when lighters are indeed permitted on the flight? Because you’re allowed one per person, so the Bucket o’ Confiscated Lighters™ were the second, third, forth, whatever, that various people had with them. I travel frequently, and see this scenario played out at security many times. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/34 "2010-01-26T23:57:12Z")
> [@D18](#): > > Why were there lighters at security when lighters are indeed permitted on the flight? Because you’re allowed one per person, so the Bucket o’ Confiscated Lighters™ were the second, third, forth, whatever, that various people had with them. > > I travel frequently, and see this scenario played out at security many times. Darn it. I hate it when there is a simple explanation that makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Waffle\_Decider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/77aa72/32.png) [@Waffle\_Decider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waffle_Decider)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/35 "2010-01-27T02:18:24Z")
I just rememeber this [airport security game](http://www.addictinggames.com/airportsecurity.html). Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/36 "2010-01-27T02:26:02Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Ah, the Australian bureaucratic, work to rule, I-can-control-your-life-because-I-can mind. Everything must be done to the letter, or it’s wrong. I still remember waiting in line to renew my driver’s license. The guy in front of me handed in his form to the government clerk, who began reviewing it to process it. He forgot to tick one question on the form. Easy fix. Just hand it back to the guy, he would tick the appropriate box. Sorry, that didn’t fit the standard. She tore up the form right then and there in front of everyone, gave him a new blank form and told him to go to an empty counter, complete the new form per instructions and then get back into the line. Reminds me of when I got my passport, the guy insisted I put in a middle name. I don’t have one. There isn’t one on my birth certificate. He said the form had to be filled in, so he handed it to me and I wrote “John” which was the name on his name tag." And back to the original question… ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/37 "2010-01-27T13:41:34Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > Reminds me of when I got my passport, the guy insisted I put in a middle name. I don’t have one. There isn’t one on my birth certificate. He said the form had to be filled in, so he handed it to me and I wrote “John” which was the name on his name tag." When you fill out forms to apply for a DOD security clearance, if you don’t have a middle name (at least they realize this is possible) you put “NMN” in the spot for it (No Middle Name). You’d think the State Department would have figured this out. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736/38 "2010-01-27T17:38:20Z")
Flying back to the US from St Martin this weekend we had some interesting things happen. Our flight (St Martin to Charlotte to Pittsburgh) was delayed to allow a repeat screening of the St Martin to New York passengers. For the NY flight, everyone was patted down _carefully_ (including pilot and rest of flight crew) and their carry-ons were emptied and searched. We watched this, wondering if something was suspected, or if it was just because they were landing in NYC. This was _after_ going through regular security, etc. Our flight loaded without any additional security. Guess North Carolina isn’t on any terrorist’s lists. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-air-france-and-paris/525736.md?page=1)