Originally Posted by Dovster
Actually,
Traveller, there is no conflict between the two. In fact, I think you will find that if you brush your teeth on the plane you will have a better shot at joining the Mile High Club.
More seriously: Aren't we all getting a little carried away here?
I don't like these new rules any more than the next guy, but given the fact that I have little choice in the matter, I can live with them.
Take off my shoes? Yes, I can do that -- I am not even particularly worried about catching some disease through my socks. Since about age 3 or so, I have been taking off my shoes every time I went into a store to buy a new pair and have not suffered from any malady as a result.
Toothpaste, deodorant, et al? I'll put them in my checked baggage. If it doesn't arrive when I do, I will stop in at a pharmacy or supermarket and pick some up. Today, I shelled out $1300 for an upcoming itinerary -- an extra $10 or so for this stuff is not going to make much of a difference.
Do I think I am getting better security for this? No.
Do I believe that a trained terrorist will be able to work around these regulations? Yes.
Do I wish that a more logical system of security were in effect? Of course.
But I am not about to let this put me into a panic.
Dov - you are talking about ONE itinerary. Many of us travel every day or multiple times per week. The amount of time and impact of these changes based on that frequency changes dramatically. For the second time, I have an overnight business trip with an early morning meeting - I cannot afford the risk of checking baggage and having it lost. Instead, I am forced to overnight fedex my toiletries ahead of me (overnight in both cases due to short notice first of the regs themselves then of this trip for tonight). That is a business expense that I should not have to incur, but it has become a necessity in order for me to ensure there is value in my trip. You bought ONE $1300 ticket for a long trip, probably international. I just bought a $940 ticket for this trip tonight (ridiculous $ amount) but its only one of many trips. In both cases, I have evening appts, in this case - I'm being picked up at the airport. I don't have the time nor inclination to find a drugstore and purchase replacements, nor do most drug/discount stores carry much of what I use. Replacements of those products, temporary or otherwise will cost well over $200 - this is not a simple thing to deal with for a business traveller.
As far as the feet go -- I really don't know where you shop, but the places I shop vaccuum the floor frequently, only have a few hundred not thousand people through on a daily basis and in general pick up after themselves. Aside from all that, my (bare or socked) feet rarely touch that floor - period. I don't go walking around in socked/bare feet except within my own home, that includes public places, hotels, pools, beaches, etc. I also have a parent with diabetes and major foot related issues - yes, I'm concerned, no I don't think its something acceptable. Sorry if myself or others are not as calm or accepting of these new regs as you seem to be.