My question is simple - why does this offend some people? My Brother just got back from Chicago and said there was a man who was raising hell in the security line because the officer took some of his personal hygiene products. I guess my bro spoke up and said something along the lines of … Juuust give it to them… and the guy acted doubley offended.
If it is to protect the integrity and security of flying SAFELY then why not???
Because how does taking somebody’s toothpaste make the flight safer? So many actions taken in the name of “security” come across as completely arbitrary, completely inconsistent, and without any recourse other than “shut and and do it or just don’t fly.”
A broad range of stuff can be taken if using this line of thought.
Because there is now a concern that explosives can be smuggled on board in liquid form, and The Powers That Be are including anything close to liquid in the prohibitions. Much easier to have an outright ban than to have to pick and choose in front of passengers going ballistic because you would dare think that they might be a terrorist (and much harder to smuggle stuff around an outright ban than to social-engineer getting something nasty on board when security has to pick and choose what looks nasty).
Exactly, Just imagine if Johnny got to bring his hair grease onboard and Timmy had to leave his shoe shine, Timmy would argue about johnny and how unfair it is and how he’s being singled out, etc etc etc. IT would take forever.
Plus I think its pretty small potatoes just to stick the toothpaste in the main luggage, Especially with what just happened.I would be. But I don’t fly for this reason.
Most of my commercial flying has been between L.A. and Bellingham, WA. Service to BLI is by Horizon Air, which operates Bombardier Q200s. Here’s the problem: These twin-turboprops aren’t very big. And sometimes there is a short turnaround between the B737 or A300 flight into SEA, and the departure of the Q200. The last flight into BLI is at 23:00. On more than one occasion my checked baggage has not made it onto the airplane. Before I bought a house I would stay with a friend who didn’t have much in the way of spare ammenities. So I would take my sleeping bag as carry-on, plus a small backpack with a toiletry kit. This way if the checked baggage didn’t arrive with me I’d have a toothbrush, toothpaste, antacids, aspirin, decongestant, comb, disposable razor, shaving cream, soap, and a change of clothes until my bag was delivered to the door the following day.
I no longer have to worry about such things. Most of my stuff is in the house, and even then I try not to catch the last flight. Missed connections can still be a pain though, as weather delays can destroy the best-laid plans. In December my two pounds of bangers were completely thawed by the time I got home.
Disallowing things like toiletries or a carry-on bag containing a change of clothes can put people flying to smaller airports some inconvenience if the baggage doesn’t arrive with the passenger.
Carry-on bags are still fine unless you’re flying through the UK, and apparently those restrictions should be lifted pretty soon. It’s the liquid/gel/paste toiletries/consumables that are the issue, so you can still have clothes and a toothbrush, just not toothpaste.
I knew several people who were flying on Thursday, and they all said that the long lines in the airports were pretty universally caused by people trying to negotiate with the screeners. I guess they figured that even if the rules said, “NO TOOTHPASTE,” since they weren’t the terrorists, they should be able to keep their toothpaste. There’s a certain logic to this: would the real terrorists draw attention to themselves by arguing with the screener over toothpaste? (On the other hand, if everyone else is arguing with the screener, then the terrorist stands out as the one who meekly hands over the toothpaste…)
I’m wondering why they even allow bottled drinks, in particular water into the secure areas. The freak’n airplane should have unlimited bottled water on board to keep the people happy, and reduce the risk.
Because seizing every passenger’s toothpaste does not materially affect the safety of the flight. My toothpaste is toothpaste, it’s not an explosive.
Because people understandably may object to having goods that they paid for, and that are completely harmless, routinely seized without any compensation. I don’t a damn if it’s a cheap item or not, it’s stuff had to pay for, and now I’ve got to buy more at the other end of my trip, then throw it away before I get back on the plane to go home.
Because, as others have said, checked baggage often does not arrive with the pssenger. I made a total of six round trip by air in 2005. On three of those trips, my luggage did not make it to my destination with me. In one case, it only turned up three days later.
BTW, why the five question marks? Is it then even more of a question than it was before?
Yeah, except carrying extra water adds weight, which results in increased fuel burn, which raises the airline’s cost per seat mile. Therefore, they are unlikely to do it unless they can somehow charge the passengers for it. I foresee the airlines coming up with something like a ‘two-bevereage’ rule where they give you two waters or soft drinks, then charge you (at five bucks a bottle, of course, just like for mixed drinks) for any additional drinks you request.
Not to veer into tinfoil-hat territory, but I bet the airlines are actually loving the possibility of a ban on cabin baggage, and will make every excuse they can to get such a ban implemented permanently unless passengers put up a major outcry. People generally carry as much stuff on board as they can possibly get away with, and the airlines probably would be happy to have an excuse to charge for all the excess weight, expecially if having to check what used to be carry-on ends up putting more passengers over the baggage weight limit.
Except nothing’s being seized. Now that it’s been a couple of days, anyone arriving at an airport should understand not to have these things in their carry-on baggage. So either check it, ship it, leave it at home or discard it if you want to get through the security checkpoint.
Not to Godwin the thread - Oh, hell. I’ll Godwin the thread.
What the hell is wrong with sewing little gold stars to your clothing? Juuuuuust sew them! After all, it is to protect the integrity and security of the motherland.
My problems with it are threefold.
Checked luggage is lost luggage. Perhaps buying all new toiletries at your destination is affordable for you, but it’s not for me. Between toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, bathgel, facial cleansers and zit creme, diaper creme, contact solution and all those things for my family (who can’t all use the same kinds), I could easily spend $100 for four of us.
My toothpaste is toothpaste. We have a little idea in our country (or we used to) called “Innocent until proven guilty”. I believe I should have the right to carry legal products with me until a court determines that I, personally, prove a credible threat.
I don’t believe it makes flying any safer.
Most airlines give money for toiletries even if your baggage just gets loaded on a later flight than yours. $25 Per person (at least for Alaska Airlines, Delta and others I’ve flown. There’s your hundred bucks right there.
I agree wholeheartedly with both of these sentiments.
I’m going to be flying to Portland in on September 19th (I’m going to be a GRANDMA :D). I have health issues that require that I have plenty of water going through my system, particularly on a flight where it’s so dry anyway.
I will be calling a few days before I fly to make sure that there is adequate knowledge of this on my flights down and back, and make sure that they are CLEAR that enough water for the 4 and a half hour flight WILL be provided, if I have to purchase my own and have them analyze it or whatever.
I’ve always arrived at the airport at least two hours ahead of my flight prior to this. I don’t mind an extra hour or so at the gate, I can just read. So now, I’ll just be there 4 or 5 hours early instead. I hate lines that much.
Besides, I love to read, and that you can do anywhere.
I did not know that. I lost dozens of bags over many years on many carriers (divorced parents who live hundreds of miles apart), and the airlines never told us that. Are they reimbursing passengers whose toiletries are being confiscated? (Heck, they could just let you take your pick of all of the confiscated toothpasts at your arrival gate, huh?)
Congratulations! Safe travels and safe baby wishes to you!
As far as I’m concerned they can take everything off me and let me fly stark bollock naked, same with all other travellers.
If it means I’m gonna get where I want to get and in one piece then I’m happy with the arrangement.
What are you talking about? According to what I’ve read, thousands of travelers had had goods siezed over the past couple of days. I’ve certainly had several things arbritrarily seized over the past five years, without any option other than missing my flight if I objected in any way.
A lot of people apparently packed for flights on Thursday without knowing anything about the overnight security changes until they arrived at the airport and checked their bags in. You go though security after checking your baggage, you know.
Anyway, you have managed to utterly miss the point of my post. Did you read the bit about how my checked baggage seems to get lost with great frequency? You’re suggesting I ship toiletries or a camera for a three-day business trip to to the UK? Sheesh.
Really, I’m not interested in arguing for the sake of arguing over whether it is justifiable to ban toothpaste from airline cabins or not. Convince me with some hard facts that such a ban has any practical purpose, and I’ll listen.
Thanks. I’ll check that out next time I fly. I’ve been traveling by air for close to thirty years and this is the first I’ve heard of this. Certainly no airline employee I’ve ever dealt with has mentioned such a policy.
Of course not. You have to get a supervisor and demand it. No airline would advertise such a policy!
What he meant was that they’ve had them seized because they were in carryons. And they are not allowed in carryons since the London incident. Had they had them in their checked baggage, where they were supposed to be, they wouldn’t have had them taken.
Oh, and they have the option of giving them to a family member not traveling, or mailing them to their own homes, they don’t have to give them up. Most simply choose to to avoid the hassle of going back out through the gate, finding mailing “stuff” and going through that hassle.
Not too bright of them. I heard about the news and before they even announced the new rules I knew what was coming next.
Hehe…gee, I wonder why they wouldn’t advertise that? 
But yeah, it’s something you have to complain about and specifically ask for. And I’m not sure if all airlines do it. Just the ones I’ve traveled on.