Originally Posted by spgaston
In addition, I'll need to start ringing the FA call button every 15-20 minutes to ask for water. I usually bring my own on board, and am incredibly annoyed that this is no longer possible. I suppose I'll be able to purchase $2/8oz. "secure" water in the airport. Our technology should be able to handle this anyway. Why is baby formula, kid juice, and robitussin any less dangerous than contact lens solution. What about those of us on short trips who can't check a bag?
Unfortunately, we are all out of luck - everything has changed - we will have to be prepared and change the way we fly. The government(s) will make the rules as tight as they feel they need to be to try to reduce the risk - they could even ban meals altogether if they thought it prudent. The alternative is unthinkable (imagine what would happen if 10 planes went down at once - aside from the deaths of thousands, the airline industry would evaporate)
Baby formula and medicine is only allowed in sufficient quantity necessary for the length of flight (i.e. very little) and will be tested ORALLY. contact lens solution evidently has elements that when combined with some other chemicals can be combustible. The technology to "sniff" normally harmless substances (but when cmobined are combustible) does not exist, and probably won't as the potentially combinations are in the thouusands if not millions.
The government(s) will likely apologize for "any inconveninece" but will all the same enforce the rules - they have no choice.