Actually, Laura *is* one of us: loathe to check anything!
We had about a 20 minute initial chat and she told me about trying to get her friends home from a cruise who were currently stranded at CDG, which apparently on Sunday was about Circle Eight, Ditch Five of Hell. (Which btw, is Circle of the Fraudulent, Ditch of Corrupt Politicians. Go look it up.)
The fact that she stated her thesis up front with two examples of travelers who
don't check -- and why -- is a good start. If you read the whole article and the sidebars, it was really instructive to both the FF and non-FF traveler.
In my long experience with jounalists, she's GOOD. No, she's VERY, VERY GOOD. I'd love to work with her.
Also, she sent me a nice thank you (tres professional!) this morning and said that it was the most read story at their web site. ^^^ for FT!! I cuddna dunnit w/o y'alls.
Originally Posted by justageek
The article is good, but even this author degenerated into sympathizing wth the anti-carryon fascists. Why did Ms. Bly correct Ms. Johnston's "idiocy" comment to "confusion" (no, Ms. Bly, it really is idiocy -- do you understand that Chertoff says there is no threat in the US?)?
Or of course the requisite quote from the FA: "Any reduction in carry-on luggage is great. And I think my colleagues would agree." (Though at least Ms. Bly pointed out that the FA was exempted from the rules.)
And then of course the quote from the USA Today travel blog commenter "Just think how wonderfully blissful it would be not to have a single carry-on aboard a plane."
All in all, I'm glad someone has finally written an article pointing out that--OMG, there actually are downsides to the rules, whoda thunk it?. But someone needs to write a much stronger piece than this one.
Sorry, I'd love to give ^ ^ to this article, but at best I can give just ^