Dare I hope that the baby spit up all over the morons who wouldn't let it go through wth mom?

Also, can anyone clarify? -- Thread title says updated today, but I don't see any Bart updates.

Fortunately technology can help in a rather systematic way, for example, by way of "puffers" and ETD-type screening. However, those tools need to be improved so that throughput and cycle-time improve; and other explosive and explosive component detection need to be enhanced and developed such that they can be used for preventitive efforts rather than merely in reactive efforts.

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Another odd statement from the TSA website: "Some solid or powdered cosmetics items are permitted past the checkpoint; however, this is left to the discretion of the Security Officer. To minimize delays and hassle, we recommend that you pack all cosmetics in your checked baggage."

Apparently, even if you substitute a non-liquid/gel cosmetic item for your usual brand, the TSO still has the discretion to stop you from carrying it onboard??? This makes me more worried that since shampoos and conditioners are prohibited items, apparently without regard to whether or not they are a liquid/gel, you could be prohibited from carryng them on in any form whatsoever.

Other items that seem to be prohibited without regard to the form of the substance:

Bug repellents
Make up removers or facial cleansers
Mouthwash
Nail polish removers

Maybe the theory is that, if the flying public were less attractive, we would not be such a target for terrorists.

-- Suzanne

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.

I would NEVER let a stranger who had been touching hundreds of different people and their belongings TOUCH MY baby and deposit the germs from a whole city full of strangers on him. Not unless that screener put on FRESH NEW RUBBER GLOVES.

Sh'Aloha, Dovster! I like the way you think. Shows good sechel. Gut gezucht, Zai gezunt, Having fun, wish you were here! Shalom + Aloha = Sh'Aloha from Maui!

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.

Well I for one am suitably impressed
How the hell does one spend $200 in a drugstore ?

GoingAway, you might want to look in airport shops -- landside. If they haven't already started stocking small toiletries I am certain they will soon. There are a lot of people in your situation and they know they will be able to pick up some $$$ this way.

For you, it will be a lot cheaper than Fedex.

Also, if you are going to the same places repeatedly, you might want to consider leaving a set of toiletries there. (In addition to what I have in my house, I have one set in Tel Aviv, one in Milano, and one in Lugano -- simply to save me lugging them around.)

As far as where I buy my shoes is concerned, I have bought them all over the world -- and have no idea of how often the stores are vacuumed.

My son -- definitely not a chip off the old block -- is a health nut. He is a vegetarian (prefers the organic stuff), a certified fitness instructor, brown belt in karate, and is currently studying Chinese medicine at Israel's top institution for this field.

He lives in Tel Aviv and only puts on shoes between April and October when a restaurant requires it. The rest of the time he walks around barefoot. He is 26 and has never had any problems with his feet -- and if you have ever been in Tel Aviv, you know it makes New York City look spotless.

Wally, it's easy. Anyway, the deal is, I totally appreciate both Dovster's calming sensibility and GoingAway's very real and very frequent business flyer needs. You convince a female business flyer to travel carry-on with the current restrictions. I think it's tougher on the women. Just ask Mrs. kaukau.

How many land-side airport shops are there? Even at a large airport like ORD, aside from the int'l terminal, there's very little landside. In the United terminal...a Starbucks cart, maybe? (Coffee, Scones, and Shampoo!)

In fact, I can hardly think of any land-side shops at most of the airports I use. As you point out, this may change. But I hardly think there are going to be any Walgreens setting up shop by the luggage returns in most places.

Yes, I confess to a total ignorance of feminine unguents and potions and the cost or indeed usages thereof

Do I see a business opportunity for cosmetic carts in terminals ?

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Not really. Checking luggage takes me an extra hour each time (20 minutes earlier to the airport, extra 40 minutes at baggage claim), so that's 2 hours a week. I travel about 40 weeks a year, so that's an extra 80 hours a year I lose because of the liquid/gel ban.

If I decide to just buy new stuff each week I think I can get by on about $10 a week, and that's buying the cheapest items available. That's another $400 I now have to spend in the name of security. Of course there's also that additional 1/2 hour a week spent in the drugstore, so now I'm up to 100 hours of wasted time a year.

I don't travel to the same place everyweek, but do go to a client site about 8 to 10 times in a one year period. I have about 6 more trips to this client and asked the hotel if I could store some things here until I come back. I bought cosmetics/hair products, etc. yesterday and will try this method, I spent about $25. If it's not here next month, oh well, it was only a loss of $25. If it is here, then this may be the way I go until they hopefully lift some of these liquid/gel bans.

BTW, I could care less about the shoe ban, I hate it, but it's not really costing me much in terms of hours/dollars. I'm barefoot as much as I can be anyway and haven't yet caught any diseases/infections.

My friends who travel once a year also don't understand why I'm irate about all this. Checking luggage once a year is very different than having to check it 40 times a year.

And yes, I do think there is a big need for a landside drugstore that sells travel size toiletries/cosmetics. I'd pay a premium for them at the airport so that I didn't have to make an extra trip to a drugstore after I get to the hotel.