Originally Posted by gbjd1205
I had exactly the same experience with boarding out of PEK yesterday, and I was just logging in to FT to post a rant. They don't board by seating area out of PEK, so everyone gets on the plane at once. If you happen to be seated in Y and if you happen to be hanging out in the BGS lounge until after boarding begins, kiss any opportunity of overhead space goodbye.
About those baggage checks... Why is it that you can take a bottle of water between the US and PEK, but you cannot between PEK and the US?
The Chinese were cracking down on the liquids thing long before the UK arrests this year. For at least the last two years, I either have had my bottled water or soda confiscated, or if you are willing to open it, you have to endure a security "sniff" test of your open container. If you refuse to open the container, they confiscate it.