That was exactly my point. They implemented this ban with clear knowledge that one of the suspects in the case would be exempted from the ban by being allowed to carry a liquid on board.

Even the tasting of the item is not enough to necessarily prove it is safe. Further, on the ban the UK is allowing "butt cream" as another poster called it. I would further assume that a small amount of the "cream" if it is an explosive component would not be enough to cause real pain or show an imediate reaction to the skin. Thus, the ban on liquids fails to meet the known goal. Hence the ban cannot logically remain in place.

The problem with this "ban" is that there are exceptions. The exceptions to any ban provide a way for those to who intend to harm us to still achieve their goals. The only folks who play fair by the bans are those who intend to do no harm. Thiose who intend to do harm don't play by the "rules" and will use any thing we give them against us.

So in the end. The ban on all liquids, if it were to actually be in response to the threat, would be a blanket ban with no exceptions. Same thing for a carry-on ban. The bans would have to be absolute in order to be effective.

So in the no carry-on ban, you cannot bring anything with you. That includes papers, wallets, and medicine. In reality a liquid ban needs to be absolute as well. By that I mean no exceptions. This includes even liquids on board the aircraft. Unfortunately, I think the next attempt at this type of plot is to place the components in a powdered form inside medicine capsules and have a prescription for the items. Keep a couple real versions of the medicine in the bottle if they are asked to sample them. Once onboard the aircraft use the airline provided liquids to assemble to device and sneak aboad a couple of strike anywhere matches and presto.

Anything less than the above leaves too many holes that can be used. However, implementing such a ban in absolutely unreasonable. In essence you have banned not only all items from the cabin, but also all passengers who need any type of medication, babies, and most long haul flights. One could probably survive up to a 4 hour flight without water of any source, but after that it gets tough. (no not going to die tough, but dehiydration and other illnesses may start to appear)

Right now I would love to sit down with Kip Hawley and Co, and explain to them where the problems lie. Then I would like to some how put out some sort of press conference showing the problems with the very things they have implemented.