Posted on 08/14/2006 12:36:07 PM PDT by Argus
A fifth of flights from Heathrow are due to be cancelled today as airlines struggle to cope with long queues and tightened security.
Four days after the ban on hand luggage was announced, passengers spent another frustrating day at Britain's busiest airports.
With the Bank Holiday weekend a fortnight away, there is still no clue as to when the new rules will be relaxed. Under the regulations introduced on Thursday, passengers are banned from taking hand luggage through airport security. They are permitted a small number of essentials, such as baby food, sanitary products and glasses, carried in a plastic bag.
Once in the departure lounge, most passengers are allowed to stock up on drinks and books for the journey. However, those heading for America cannot take anything on board that they did not bring through security.
The rules have led to delays, cancellations and queues. On Saturday, 500 passengers had to sleep at Heathrow.
(snip)
"The goal of these terrorists and extremists is not just to kill but also to disrupt the economic life of Britain," Mr O'Leary said. "The Government, by insisting on these heavy-handed security measures, is allowing the extremists to achieve many of their objectives."
The company said it supported "all sensible and effective security measures", but these should be targeted towards the flights at risk or groups that posed a threat.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
If people are annoyed with the security measures taken to ensure their safety maybe they should just remember who it is who caused this mess and act accordingly.
Travellers are not being forced to overnight in leaking tents because of the Blitz, which was about British endurance, but because the authorities are refusing to profile the likely terrorists, which is about political correctness gone mad.
How hard is it to just pack all your stuff in your checked bag? Is this so hard to figure out? Show up at security with your ticket, and that's all. No problem.
They'll give you a magazine and a drink on the plane.
If you're donstream of security, you should have no problem.
"they should just remember who it is who caused this mess and act accordingly."
What a great idea ! They should run "Mrs Miniver" over and over. (One of our favorite Sunday afternoon sleeping movies)
Tell that to Chucky Schumer. If I read the article correctly, these delays are due to bans on carry on luggae. Big friggin deal. My laptop is the only carry-on I ever carry on anyhow. I'd just have my London office ship it back to the States.
They are subjecting every single passenger to a full body search. I submit to you that that is insane and unnecessary and motivated solely by the pc notion that you cannot single out the obvious suspects.
The problem is not carry-on bags and suspicious liquids. The problem is Islam.
LOL!
And how do you think they determine what flights are at risk?
The ones the Muslims have booked a ticket on.
Did he get to do his vapid, pointless weekly Sunday Press Conference? Ol' Chuckie picks some stupid issue each week and holds a Press Conference every Sunday, which is the slowest news day of the week. It might be lines at the DMV or auto insurance rates or price gouging on gasoline, whatever it is he announces some study or investigation, and the whole business is never heard from again. The entire purpose is to get a sound-bite on the News.
I don't think Chuckie has missed a Sunday in years. He'll be really P.O.ed if he missed this week. He'll probably blame the cops, not the terrorists, though.
I guess that means only another mass slaughter will get people to act? Sad, but I think that you are absolutely right.
I hated flying long before this crap. Terrorism is simply the final nail in the coffin of an industry operating under a terrible business model.
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