Camellia
08-11-2006, 09:53 AM
U.S. authorities banned the carrying of liquids onto flights after the arrest of 24 people in an alleged plot to blow up U.S.-bound planes using explosives disguised as drinks and other common products.
The restrictions forced people to unpack their carry-on bags on the floor in the middle of terminals to remove the prohibited items. Some travelers tried to squeeze makeup, sunscreen and other toiletries into their checked baggage, where liquids were permissible.
But people without checked bags or those who had already given their luggage to their airline had to throw out the banned items.
"It's very frustrating. I'm no terrorist," said Alison Phillips as she struggled to repack her suitcase in Tampa, Florida, after removing all liquids for her return flight to Jamaica.
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/TRAVEL/08/10/terror.passengers.ap/story.confiscate.ap.gif
Other security measures were also ramped up at airports across the nation. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney sent the National Guard to help patrol Boston's Logan Airport for the first time since the September 11 attacks, when terrorists hijacked two planes from there and flew them into the World Trade Center. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also activated the National Guard in California, as did Gov. George Pataki in New York.
"That's part of the price you pay for traveling during a time like this," said Julius Ibraheem, 26, a college counselor from Chicago, Illinois, as he stared at the long lines leading toward security checkpoints at the city's O'Hare Airport.
At Newark Airport in New Jersey, one security checkpoint line stretched the entire length of the terminal -- roughly six football fields. At Baltimore/Washington Airport, security workers opened every carry-on bag that passed through one terminal, and all morning flights were delayed.
"It's better alive than dead," said Bob Chambers, whose flight from Baltimore to Detroit for a business meeting was delayed more than an hour. "It's inconvenient, but we'll make it."
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/TRAVEL/08/10/terror.passengers.ap/story.liquids.ap.gif
Maya Bodinson, 12, flew with her father on the first plane from London, England's, Heathrow Airport to Kennedy Airport in New York after British authorities reported the plot. She said the scariest moment came when her flight was midway across the Atlantic Ocean.
"That was when the bombs were supposed to go off, if there were any," she said.
Passengers arriving from London at Washington's Dulles International Airport were largely unconcerned about their security, even though their flight may have been a prime target.
"Everyone was really calm," said passenger Jim McConnell of Charlottesville, Virginia. "I think people have grown to accept the state of the world."
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/TRAVEL/08/10/terror.passengers.ap/story.security.ap.gif
The ban on liquids and gels covered such things as shampoo, toothpaste, contact lens solution, perfume and water bottles. The only exceptions were for baby formula and medications, which had to be presented for inspection at security checkpoints. Liquids were allowed in checked bags because those suitcases are screened for explosives and are stowed in the cargo hold beyond passengers' reach.
Source: The Associated Press
The restrictions forced people to unpack their carry-on bags on the floor in the middle of terminals to remove the prohibited items. Some travelers tried to squeeze makeup, sunscreen and other toiletries into their checked baggage, where liquids were permissible.
But people without checked bags or those who had already given their luggage to their airline had to throw out the banned items.
"It's very frustrating. I'm no terrorist," said Alison Phillips as she struggled to repack her suitcase in Tampa, Florida, after removing all liquids for her return flight to Jamaica.
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/TRAVEL/08/10/terror.passengers.ap/story.confiscate.ap.gif
Other security measures were also ramped up at airports across the nation. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney sent the National Guard to help patrol Boston's Logan Airport for the first time since the September 11 attacks, when terrorists hijacked two planes from there and flew them into the World Trade Center. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also activated the National Guard in California, as did Gov. George Pataki in New York.
"That's part of the price you pay for traveling during a time like this," said Julius Ibraheem, 26, a college counselor from Chicago, Illinois, as he stared at the long lines leading toward security checkpoints at the city's O'Hare Airport.
At Newark Airport in New Jersey, one security checkpoint line stretched the entire length of the terminal -- roughly six football fields. At Baltimore/Washington Airport, security workers opened every carry-on bag that passed through one terminal, and all morning flights were delayed.
"It's better alive than dead," said Bob Chambers, whose flight from Baltimore to Detroit for a business meeting was delayed more than an hour. "It's inconvenient, but we'll make it."
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/TRAVEL/08/10/terror.passengers.ap/story.liquids.ap.gif
Maya Bodinson, 12, flew with her father on the first plane from London, England's, Heathrow Airport to Kennedy Airport in New York after British authorities reported the plot. She said the scariest moment came when her flight was midway across the Atlantic Ocean.
"That was when the bombs were supposed to go off, if there were any," she said.
Passengers arriving from London at Washington's Dulles International Airport were largely unconcerned about their security, even though their flight may have been a prime target.
"Everyone was really calm," said passenger Jim McConnell of Charlottesville, Virginia. "I think people have grown to accept the state of the world."
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/TRAVEL/08/10/terror.passengers.ap/story.security.ap.gif
The ban on liquids and gels covered such things as shampoo, toothpaste, contact lens solution, perfume and water bottles. The only exceptions were for baby formula and medications, which had to be presented for inspection at security checkpoints. Liquids were allowed in checked bags because those suitcases are screened for explosives and are stowed in the cargo hold beyond passengers' reach.
Source: The Associated Press