richarddd

On the BA forum, there was a report of a flight during which, about one hour out, the flight crew made a big deal about taking blankets and pillows, stowing stuff and making sure pax had nothing on their laps. 40 minutes out the crew did the usual hand out of coats in F and J, which the pax of course held on their laps.

gemac

Problem solved.

Mloebach

If these alledged restrictions are true- they are a typical bureaucratic unthoughtout reactions which do not address their security breach. Maybe they should add: arms must be on armrest at all times, no crossing legs or hands-- better yet-handcuff all passengers during the flight! But then again-why should reason prevail. IMHO

videomaker

I'm still waiting to see how all this works out. But if these kind of restrictions become permanent, it appears to be another step toward what many of us have suspected is the TSA's long-term goal: everyone flies naked and sedated.

JDiver

For those of you questioning allegations and statements made by trusted flyers, such as no lavs, pillows, blankets, personal items, no GoGo / WiFi or any kind of flight positioning information (including announcements) at any time in flight, etc. the last hour of flights on international US-bound flights, all those trusted flyers have to say is "TSA SD 1544-09-06" is what you want to become familiar with.

But nowhere reliable I have heard has AA chosen to remove blankets and pillows from international flights, and I am curious what constitutes a "senior pilot" - there are Captains and First Officer, prominently discernible by epaulets with either four or three bars, respectively.

Oh, I hear they will build in relief tubes for each Business and First seat position on the new 787...

This is exactly the climate that nourishes wild speculation and rumors; it's bad enough without already without adding fuel to the flames, IMO. videomaker, it certainly feels like that; maybe we will be asking if they can use our own flex-cuffs, and bring more comfy ones than the cheap ones they supply.

AAFA

You are directing your anger at the wrong source. The TSA isn't trying to kill us or blow us up. They are trying to PREVENT that from happening.

I'm sure the new, temporary, rules are going to be a joy to enforce. I can't wait to hear the reports from other crewmembers regarding those people who refuse to listen.

videomaker

I don't think so.

If not letting pax go to the restroom or have anything in their laps for the last hour of the flight, and ditching pillows and blankets is better "security," there's something very wrong here.

vasantn

I don't want to take this into OMNI or TS/S territory, but the TSA, as usual, is being reactive. What sense do the proposed new restrictions make? How is a more draconian no-pee rule going to protect us? Of course people are going to rebel at stupid rules.

Most of us have no problems with REAL security.

MrPink

I hope the airlines band together and put up some resistance to nonsensical rules. It's pretty easy to punch logical holes in this latest set. Letting the TSA run the show for them is only going to doom the industry even more.

Next thing you know they're going to require us to do the hanky panky at security.

videomaker

+1.

Another common thread in these situations, from 9/11 to this one, is "security officials" (be it the FBI, embassy and others) knew about these folks beforehand. And they did nothing, while making grandpa throw away his toothpaste because it's over three ounces.

They made us take off our shoes after the Richard Reid incident. If we follow that through to its "logical" conclusion (in TSA logic), will everyone now have to take off their underwear to get through the checkpoint?

Danwriter

Or sleeping/arguing cockpit crews...

mvoight

I agree about the "no pee" thing. I don't beleve I have read any accounts of the Nigerian guy getting tackled by a passenger by lighting something in the lav.

This problem could have been easily resolved by better screening of this passenger. In fact, his father warned the authorities before. The guy was flying from Lagos, long known to have inadequate airport security.

mvoight

If the TSA is responsible for new stupid rules, then why are the wrong group to direct the anger at? What is this nonsense about a new lav policy? The latest incident had nothing to do with using the lav. The shoe removal issue is another thing. That guy had a device in his shoes. The latest had it in his underwear... So, to act equally would require the removal of underwear at security..... Now, if we don't do this, then it is logical that passengers should be able to keep their shoes on. No blankets??? Yes, because we know how well the cabin's temperature is controlled (NOT!!)...

The security measures that should have been enforced have nothing to do with whether passengers have blankets, go to the lav, keep their shoes on, etc.... If those in charge of this don't know handle reported issues, such as a father's warnings about his son, then they aren't doing their jobs.

chanp

LOL!

videomaker

I hear AA will offer padded ones in F.

I'm also wondering if any of the TSA geniuses realize if they drive the airline industry into the ground, they will all be unemployed?