Just saw this on the Yahoo Internet News
A major terrorist plot to blow up planes in mid-flight has been disrupted, in a joint operation by the London Metropolitan Police anti-terrorist branch and Britain's security service.
It is thought the plan was to detonate explosives on flights from the UK to the US, with terrorists smuggling bombs in the planes in hand luggage.
Police have arrested a number of people in London and security at all airports in the UK has been tightened with delays expected.
In a statement, Scotland Yard said it would like to reassure the public that the operation was carried out with public safety in mind.
"This is a major operation which inevitably will be lengthy and complex," it read.
Passengers will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on any flights in the UK and only the essentials like passports and wallets will be allowed on board in see-through plastic bags.
Always Borrow Money from a Pesimist. "They Never Expect it Back"
Although the plot was foiled, the media coverage will go some way to giving the terrorists what they want. The public will now be scared of travelling by air again.
Does this imply thatb the terrorists have devices that are no detectable by x-ray or even worse could they have infiltrated the security staff at British Airports.
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It's total chaos over here for air travel. All UK airports are effectively closed to inbound flights as nothing is taking off. Looks like my weekend in Ireland is knackered and I'm not looking forward to 11 hours to BKK in a month's time with no hand luggage.
It's still unclear at what stage the plot was foiled. It has been suggested that liquid explosives may have been placed in hand luggage disguised as drinks, thus no hand luggage allowed today from UK. Babies bottle milk will be allowed but must be tasted by parents in front of staff to prove it is milk.
They are not saying a lot at the moment so it is seems to mainly be speculation.
As for being turned off flying, British citizens are not known for being afraid. They rally. After the London Bombings last year, the way this country reacted, for the first time in a long time, I was proud to be British.
These are the security arrangements now in effect, from the D.O.T.,
With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting
their journey at a UK airport and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.
All cabin baggage will be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of
passenger aircraft departing UK airports.
Passengers will be allowed to take through the airport security search point, in a single
(ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be
carried in pockets:
o Pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money,
credit cards, identity cards, etc. (not handbags));
o Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel
tickets);
o Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight
(e.g. diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic;
o Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases;
o Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution;
o For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must
be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and
essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags);
o Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed
(e.g. tampons, pads, towels and wipes);
o Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs;
o Keys (but no electrical key fobs).
All passengers will be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are
carrying will be x-ray screened.
Pushchairs and walking aids will be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided
wheelchairs will be allowed to pass through the screening point.
In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items
they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be
subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered will be
removed from the passenger.
Passengers should be encouraged to configure their baggage in line with the above
requirements before arriving at the airport, and to allow plenty of time to pass through
airport security screening.
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
By Order of the Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration
PASSENGERS MAY NOT HAVE LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY SIZE AT THE
SCREENING CHECKPOINT OR
IN THE CABIN OF THE AIRCRAFT
Including beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste,
hair gel, and other items of similar consistency
Such items may be transported in checked baggage
Passengers may have –
Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling.
Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket.
Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines.
Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding the aircraft.
STEVE G wrote: Passengers will be allowed to take through the airport security search point, in a single
(ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be
carried in pockets:
Does this mean they will no longer be allowing cameras and laptops through as carry-ons? There is no way I am putting my expensive camera in checked baggage-- especially since the airline will not pay for it if they lose it.
Also-- any suggestions on the proper way to bring milk on flights to the UK? My son only drinks milk and they never have it on the plane (and I have flown so many airlines that it is shocking they do not have milk-- instead they are ALWAYS trying to pump him full of sugary soda!!). I won't drink it (lactose intollerant) to "test" it for them but my husband probably would.
Hopefully this lets up a bit by the time I am going to the UK in autumn.
As of mid August I am on vacation via traveling around the globe and I am not returning until the end of November (I have no Internet access until I return). Have fun!
There is no way I am putting my expensive camera in checked baggage
I guess you won't be taking them with you then.
Surely after paying so much for these prized possessions, it would make far more sense to insure them seperately that to leave them locked up at home. Or would you rather compromise everybody's security?
I'm sure the terrorists paid a lot for their bombs as well.
Big Boy wrote:
I guess you won't be taking them with you then.
Surely after paying so much for these prized possessions, it would make far more sense to insure them seperately that to leave them locked up at home. Or would you rather compromise everybody's security?
I'm sure the terrorists paid a lot for their bombs as well.
Excuse me? Do you always respond to simple questions with such a venomous attitude? Thank you for attaching my concern over my camera with concerns terroists would have over their bombs-- you are a real class-act.
I already have insurance (I make my living with my camera), and my camera does not compromise "everybody's security". If airports actually did their jobs in the first place most of this wouldn't be an issue.
As of mid August I am on vacation via traveling around the globe and I am not returning until the end of November (I have no Internet access until I return). Have fun!
I'd just got off the phone after speaking to a friend who was trapped after finishing work, and couldn't fly home - no prospect either for several days apparently. It was your attitude that you should not have to be part of what thousands of people have suffered today, and will probably have to suffer for several days yet because you have an expensive camera. This current clampdown is for the benefit of everybody, and who knows..........maybe it will turn out that the terrorists were going to carry their bombs on to the aircraft disguised as expensive cameras or laptops.
These security problems affect us all, but protest such as, "There is no way I am" do not help anybody. The security forces are doing this for everybody's protection - not to be awkward. Now lets see some Dunkirk spirit, and knuckle down with the rest.
Big Boy wrote:It was your attitude that you should not have to be part of what thousands of people have suffered today, and will probably have to suffer for several days yet because you have an expensive camera.
Where the heck did I say that? I asked for clarification. Pure and simple.
I believe I am quite within every range of normalcy of asking such things-- or should I not be very clear on what is and is not allowed so I do not break any new regulation (especially since all of the other countries I will be flying to that month only have a "no gel and no liquid" requirement).
I asked for clarification, if it is the case that cameras are not allowed as carry-on I will find another legal way to take it with me that limits the risk of having it stolen by the airport staff or broken during transit. Or did this not occur to you?
Not to mention, these rules are the here and now. They are likely to change and this will not even be an issue when we fly.
As of mid August I am on vacation via traveling around the globe and I am not returning until the end of November (I have no Internet access until I return). Have fun!
No:-
Cameras, laptops, mobile phones, electronic car key 'plips' and even spectacle cases now have to go in the hold - ex UK. I am not sure of the requirements flying into UK.
PeteB wrote:No:-
Cameras, laptops, mobile phones, electronic car key 'plips' and even spectacle cases now have to go in the hold - ex UK. I am not sure of the requirements flying into UK.
Thanks. As far as I have read going into the UK it is only no liquids and no gels depending on the country. The US, for instance, seems to be allowing electronic devices although I am sure they will check them a bit more.
As of mid August I am on vacation via traveling around the globe and I am not returning until the end of November (I have no Internet access until I return). Have fun!
pinksquid wrote:my camera does not compromise "everybody's security".
I think the point is that any electronic device could be used to detonate a bomb.
pinksquid wrote:If airports actually did their jobs in the first place most of this wouldn't be an issue.
I was almost sympathising until I read that. The comment reads like sheer petulance unless of course you can put my mind at rest and elaborate on what you meant by it.
To my mind the airports and security services are doing their jobs by erring on the side of caution and restricting items which could possibly, in the hands of certain people be dangerous. Surely that is a sensible course of action given the scale of the event today?
As far as I have read going into the UK it is only no liquids and no gels depending on the country. The US, for instance, seems to be allowing electronic devices although I am sure they will check them a bit more. 
