[gianni66]

OK, I am opening a new thread to keep it apart from the general discussion about the terroristic "attacks" of yesterday (there is already a topic for this).

I will leave in less than 24 hours, and I'm getting really confused for the news about the hand-baggage allowance... I have already heard everything and the contrary of everything: it seems that just the passports and tickets are allowed, no, this is valid only for the flights to and from the UK and USA, no, for the USA is even worse, not at all, in all the flights to everywhere you will allowed to bring a pocket belt with money and documents, etc. etc. etc...  

What really scares me is that... NO BOOKS ARE ALLOWED!!!!    

(yes, Nick, I read your post on IM!!   )

So... what is the reality? It would be good to know it to pack the baggage consequently.

Oh, I forgot: if you will hear of a guy arrested in Rome airport screaming to the police "DON'T TOUCH MY CAMERA, OR I WILL KILL YOU!!!", and you have no news from me for months, you know what's happened...  

[Sudheer Poppa]

For the sake of rest of us, I suggest you put the camera in check in luggage

[john.sw]

The current advice is that you should contact your airline and take their instructions.

Different airlines have adopted different rules, and even have different rules for different routes, so only your airline can give you the correct advice.

[bamboozle]

won't it be different travelling from rome?
the FCO here in the uk has posted this on thier website... (I would say a little extra common sense when packing would help... airport staff must be dealing with all kinds of stress... - hope you have a good flight and happy travels!)


The Department for Transport issued the following statement on 10 August:

'Following this morning's police action, security at all UK airports has been increased and additional security measures have been put in place for all flights.

'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 must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.

'Passengers may 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:

*pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
*travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
*prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
*spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
*contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
*for those travelling 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). female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
*tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
*keys (but no electrical key fobs)

'All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.

'Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may 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, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.

'There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.

'Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.

'These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure. We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the Government, will need to be in place for a limited period only. In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the travelling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.

'If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier.'

[Sudheer Poppa]

This is a bit strange, as I thought the hand baggage decisions and security is managed by the security dept of the airport and not the airline. I hope airline is able to give answers, but then personally I have never got good responses from airlines in India.

On the other hand, just saw some news reports that handbaggage restriction is in place for all airports in India and overall country is in high alert due to the warning by US embassy.. So be mindful of that while moving within the country, atleast till Aug 15th - the Independance day.

As per one newspaper site, the tip originated from London arrests!

[HowieUK]

What I heard on the morning news here in the UK was that once you got through the customs and into the 'duty free' area, you could buy anything on sale in there, including books, papers, alcohol etc and carry it on as hand luggage.

This is excluded from flights to the USA but not to anywhere else!

Probably a good idea to check on this for your own particular airline though!

Howie

[gianni66]

sudheer, on Aug 11 2006, 06:20 PM, said:

On the other hand, just saw some news reports that handbaggage restriction is in place for all airports in India and overall country is in high alert due to the warning by US embassy.. So be mindful of that while moving within the country, atleast till Aug 15th - the Independance day.

As per one newspaper site, the tip originated from London arrests!

This is quite scaring for me... do you think it is safe to pass through Delhi airport in the next two days?

I called the Indian Embassy here, they seemed not so confident...  

[HowieUK]

Is anything ever safe nowadays?

You have two options either forget the whole thing and lock yourself up in your house, or carry on regardless and don't be influenced by threats!

I'm personally for the latter and am happy to be flying into Delhi Sunday/Monday!

Howie

[Sudheer Poppa]

gianni66, on Aug 11 2006, 10:35 PM, said:

This is quite scaring for me... do you think it is safe to pass through Delhi airport in the next two days?

I would not worry about the safety aspect. But, due to the authorities being on the alert, you can expect some extra beuraucracy, checks, some restrictions to touristy places and stuff. But for some extra patience, there would be nothing that you need to prepare for..

And Indian embassy, when have they ever been sure about anything !

[edwardseco]

Just removed my toothpaste & lotion and other WMD. Off to Havaddh or whatever they say..

[torryquine]

HowieUK, on Aug 11 2006, 06:30 PM, said:

Is anything ever safe nowadays?

You have two options either forget the whole thing and lock yourself up in your house, or carry on regardless and don't be influenced by threats!

I'm personally for the latter and am happy to be flying into Delhi Sunday/Monday!

Howie

Yes, my feeling too.  Thee were 40 arrests in Italy this morning so maybe Rome airport is not safer than Delhi?

Personally I REFUSE to be caught up in this wave of hysteria and raise two fingers of defiance to fear-mongers everywhere.

On a practical note, I heared this morning that British Airways were enforcing the no hand-luggage rule on all flights - best to check with your airline and your departure airport to be absolutely sure.

[Abhijit Sur]

Recently I travelled in domestic sector Leh-Srinagar-Jammu where hand baggages are not allowed. They ask to put camera/torch etc. cells in lugguage. No crockeries ,briefcases are allowed.

Now you can't carry any liquid also. Baby food has to be tasted by baby's parent before the security. They may ask you to taste every thing, so travel empty stomach!!!

After some time they may ask you to wear their clothes ( like in operation table in a hospital ) and put all your belonging in luggage. Let's see!!!

[iwanttogoback]

Quote

No passengers?

hey, now there's a good idea PD    

Edited by iwanttogoback, 12 August 2006 - 08:53 PM.

[Sudheer Poppa]

Hmm this handbaggage business is really going to impact some people bad !!!

For instance, when I came to Poland I had 24 kg in check in and 16 in hand baggage

[digital drifter]

Boingboing.net has this

http://www.boingboin...uid_could_.html

Apparently,in order to thwart

a) terrorists from mixing mundane chemicals in the air to make poison gas/bomb

b ) the airline staff is asking people to dump all the liquids in a big bin on the ground.  So it appears you're all going to die in an airport lounge because some grade A idiot is going to flick a ciggy into a huge bin of nail polish, perfume & shampoo.  KA-BOOM

Don't worry, you're favourite Armani perfume is in there, so you go to heaven smelling nice.

It's true we're all going to die; not beacuse of terrorists but because there WILL be one chap who will go

"I should not press this button?  what will hap.."

[dzibead]

digital drifter, on Aug 12 2006, 10:49 AM, said:

Boingboing.net has this

http://www.boingboin...uid_could_.html

Apparently,in order to thwart

a) terrorists from mixing mundane chemicals in the air to make poison gas/bomb

b ) the airline staff is asking people to dump all the liquids in a big bin on the ground.  So it appears you're all going to die in an airport lounge because some grade A idiot is going to flick a ciggy into a huge bin of nail polish, perfume & shampoo.  KA-BOOM

Don't worry, you're favourite Armani perfume is in there, so you go to heaven smelling nice.

It's true we're all going to die; not beacuse of terrorists but because there WILL be one chap who will go

"I should not press this button?  what will hap.."

I shouldn't laugh but ...          

[dani]

um, is this all a big joke or what?
ARE THEY SERIOUS?
Please tell me this hand baggage story is not true!
Right now I don't know if I should cry or laugh hysterically...

[iwanttogoback]

Quote

For instance, when I came to Poland I had 24 kg in check in and 16 in hand baggage

sudheer has raised a really important point in the hand luggage debate - how we use it to sneak extra luggage on to the plane without having to pay excess baggage fees.

it goes from bad to worse...

[dzibead]

iwanttogoback, on Aug 12 2006, 06:15 PM, said:

sudheer has raised a really important point in the hand luggage debate - how we use it to sneak extra luggage on to the plane without having to pay excess baggage fees.

it goes from bad to worse...

I'm afraid I've been a serious offender in that department in the past.  Now the jig is up for me, I guess.  Well, I hope the Indian economy doesn't collapse as a result of my inability to stuff a carry-on full of my purchases on my next trip.  

[YETI]

Here's a travel tip. Don't ever go to somewhere I've just passed through: there's a disaster imminent.

In the last year I've narrowly avoided the Paharganj bombings, the Kashmiri earthquake and now I casually wandered trhrough Heathrow mere hours before a security incident that threatened to eclipse 9/11 in terms of it's barbarity!  

I'm counting my blessings. I'm really very lucky.