This holiday season was our first time to fly since the restrictions on liquid were imposed this summer. While we were prepared, it was still irritating to have to dump out my Nalgene bottle before going through security. Fortunately, every airport on earth has a Starbucks after security, so I was able to fill up again.
I don’t mind the hassle of going through a metal detector or putting my stuff through the X-ray machine. I understand the risk that terrorists and hijackers present. However, I don’t see how this keeps us safe:
when the ter’ists can smuggle up to 80 ounces of nitroglycerin (or beer) under their shirts:
The huge security loophole is the human body. I got a “hand-check” at the Little Rock airport after setting off the metal detector repeatedly (I had TheraFlu cold strip wrappers, which are lined with mylar, in my pocket). The guy was thorough, but didn’t pat down my belly, and wouldn’t have been able to tell if I was sporting a Beer BellyTM.
Airline security prediction for 2007: Passengers will be required to fly wearing only a single layer of plastic wrap. Privacy is a small price to pay for true security, right? If we place our desire to wear clothes and not be hassled above our safety, the ter’ists have won. Or something like that.
You know I never considered that, but you’re right. The quantity of drugs that smugglers are willing to carry in their digestive system is plenty enough space for a potential terrorist (who is planning on suicide anyway) to store their explosives.
[...] Passengers who are ready to kick butt when called up on - waaaay more effective against trouble in the skies than one-quart plastic bags. [...]
I thought this 3-1-1 “Put-Your-Liquids-In-A-Ziplock-Bag” was just a temporary solution to a permanent problem. But now I see that Hefty, Ziploc and Glad are marketing “Airplane Bags” in the supermarkets and airport newstands. I doubt that they would invest in the fancy packaging and marketing of a new SKU if they weren’t sure that no mechanical scanning of liquids is expected anytime soon.