Interesting Experience in Beijing
 

This was my 13th trip to Beijing and I observed something new when I went through the airport security on 4/13. In my backpack, I had a half full bottle of water and an unopened can of Coke Light (aka Diet Coke). After my backpack was x-rayed, the security officer opened my bottle of water and proceeded to sniff it (with his nose practically touching the bottle) and handed it back to me. He then pulled the can tab of the Coke Light 3/4 open, sniffed it, and handed it back. I can understand the bottled water with potential flammables, but the unopened can baffles me. I then found the nearest trash can and discarded both items.

At security in Narita, I noticed they were inspecting bottles with a machine.

Welcome to FT boilerjt :)

At PEK they are searching for alcohol!

YUP - They want you to buy it at the duty free store! After the check point!

Hmmm... Does this mean that someone is making bootleg Coke cans and filling them with alcohol :D Looks like I get my drinks after the checkpoint from now on, preferably from the PEK business class lounge ;)

Its a bit of a pain. I had to check my drinks (check in staff were great making up a box for me) and cross fingers it arrived safely at my destination 2 flights later! Fortunately it did.

There is alleged to have been such an activity on private jet flights out of SBA...

(Something about "Jesus Juice"?)

;)