King Sol

Extreme measures have been taken by the airline industry after the successful prevention of a terrorist bomb plot of August 10, 2006 which was set to detonate 10 planes over US soil.

Though I have accused UK airport authorities of using draconian measures (and it appears the BBC agrees with me) I still maintain these measures are for our own good, despite any resulting minor inconveniences. One of the more extreme limitations is the ban of liquids on flights. This may seem outlandish to some (I’ve heard tell that because of this alone snakes are investigating other modes of transport) but if I am told that terrorists are potentially targeting aircraft with on-board-liquid-based-bombs and in order to help prevent the disaster I can’t bring water or soda on board, I am 100% A-OK with that. Slight dehydration vs being blown up is a no-brainer to me.

Although foiled (for now) the resulting fallout in security-related measures is near-equivalent to 9-11 in terms of the stark change in how people fly. However, it seems as if many of the strict precautions taken after 9-11 had fallen away and the wheel is bring reinvented. Post 9-11 all shoes were x-rayed before entering the departure lounge. No less than a year afterward this practice was abandoned, until now. Again we walk (barefoot) through the paces of enhanced security, but 3, 6, 10 months down the road will this still be in place?

As for enhanced security at the airport, bring it on. False alarms may plague and infuriate hundreds of air-bound travellers, but given the circumstances that’s a small price to pay. Flying out of Toronto Pearson August 8 and flying out of London Heathrow August 14 proved to be two very different experiences. Departing out of Toronto not-a-one of the ~6 security guards at the baggage & metal detector screening post acknowledged my mom and I. We retrieved our own plastic tray to put our belongings on to pass through the x-ray machine, we walked through the metal detectors of our own accord, as no one waved us through, collected our belongings and headed for a beer without a single security agent giving us any sort of communication. At the very least these enhanced security measures will give the lazy airport security assholes the kick in the pants they so desperately need to stop being such lazy mutts and do their jobs properly. In contrast, departing London Heathrow on August 14 was the closest to 9-11 type measures I have experienced. All personal effects (from a pre-approved list) being placed in a clear plastic bag is a great idea. I was a bit miffed not being able to bring my pen on board (Heathrow security caught my poor smuggling act at the X-ray, good on you, lads!) but life goes on.

With no bulky on-board luggage the 300+ passenger plane was fully boarded in ~25 minutes and disembarked in >10. Nobody was blocking the aisles, nobody was asking for help lifting the suitcase twice their body weight, and no one was blocking the boarding ramp due to an overturned wheelie suitcase. All the extra time in security is made up in loading and uploading time. A perfect mix of safety and efficiency, and most importantly less people being dumb-asses.

Small carry-on luggage items are now being allowed on the flight, but airports are adhering to a very strict list of items to be brought on-board. Initially even books were banned, however you man now bring your own small bag filled with books, iPods and items purchased in the departure lounge. Slightly more relaxed measures than first established, but really those were unsustainable. More physical searches, wandings and less baggage makes me look forward to my flight in September more than any other when I’ll be heading back to the UK, London-Gatwick this time. I intend to enjoy a beer after a vigorous frisking and then relax on my flight, while doing the day’s sudoku with freshly pricked blood.