Airline Restrictions

Imposed by Transportation Security Administration

Mike Brooks , independent security consultant and former member of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, was online Monday, Aug. 14, at Noon ET to discuss heightened travel and airline restrictions now in effect because of last week's terrorist plot.

TSA Tries To Balance Security, Efficiency ( Post, Aug. 14 )

Full Coverage: Special Report

A transcript follows.

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Mike Brooks: Glad to be here today. If you have other questions about other issues such as targets here in the U.S., could something happen, anything related to terrorism, please feel free to send in your questions.

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New York, N.Y.: Do you think the ban on liquids will be relaxed, possibly to allow travelers to sip liquids to prove safety, or to allow liquids purchased in the secure area on board flights.

Mike Brooks: I think for now that all liquids except for the medicines they're now allowing on board will not be permitted in the near future. As you recall, after 9/11, they used ask you to take a sip of your liquid and then that was relaxed also. But for the near future, don't plan on taking any liquids or gels on board the aircraft.

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Reston, Va.: How should people make sure that they can carry necessary medicines on airplanes?

Mike Brooks: Check with the TSA Web site but it has announced it will permit small doses of liquid medications through the security checkpoint and on board the planes to include low blood sugar treatments including glucose gel for diabetics. But if you have any questions, go to the Transportation Security Administration Web site or contact your airline.

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Alexandria, Va.: CNN today says "absolutely no aerosols." What about my asthma inhalers? I have to take those with me.

Mike Brooks: I think that that may be considered in the four ounces that would be permitted on board -- that would be considered liquid medication.

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Carry-ons: I am confused--is the ban on all liquids, or on carry on items in general? I've seen news footage of people not being allowed to carry on even a purse. What does this have to do with liquids/gels?

Mike Brooks: You can still have carry-ons here in the U.S. You can check liquids and gels in your checked luggage and have them sent to your city of arrival but you will not be permitted liquids and gels except for the small doses of liquid medication, the low blood sugar treatments and baby food and now solid lipstick.

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Alexandria, Va.: TSA's web site provides details for domestic travel. Is there an easy way to find out about overseas travel from London on non-U.S. airlines? Do you think they will have the same restrictions (no carry ons, only passport, etc.) that are in place now?

Mike Brooks: From the U.K., no carry-on baggage is permitted at all, including all electronics (iPods, computers, etc.).

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Reston, Va.: A new and novel question you are unlikely to read today:

Will there be any chance of gate-checking bags, as in the past? I rarely check because I've been burned enough times to know better. I don't mind avoiding all liquids in my gate-checked bag, I can buy these items at my destination usually -- but will we even be able to do this anymore?

P.S. My preamble was tongue-in-cheek, of course.

Mike Brooks: If it goes through the security screen, yes, I'm sure that the airline would allow you to gate-check a bag, especially on small regional carriers as in the past, that have limited overhead space. But to be sure, check with the airline you're flying. Things are changing everyday.

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Lisbon, Portugal: Although passengers are screened very closely, people who work at airports go in and out of controlled areas unchecked. What is being done to prevent an airport worker from committing an attack?

Mike Brooks: Here in the U.S. I've always thought that this was one of the vulnerabilities that I've always addressed. Airport workers go through a thorough background check and fingerprint check for certain serious felonies and certain misdemeanor offences but if they have never been arrested before and have not been the target of any investigations they will pass the background check.

It's an issue that the TSA needs to reevaluate.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Mr. Brooks, thanks for selecting my question and chatting today. I read on another news site's chat that a passenger was turned away from his flight for gel insoles. First, are gel insoles permitted now? Second, if they are not, can't they be tossed, and the passenger then board the plane?

Mike Brooks: I have not heard anything about gel insoles but it could be left up to the interpretation by a particular TSA screener and the one problem is it may not be consistent at every airport, unfortunately. But he/she should be able to throw the soles away and go on his/her way, hopefully.

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Arlington, Va.: Could you please explain what rationale the British had for preventing passengers from carrying books onboard last week?

Mike Brooks: They weren't permitting any carry-ons whatsoever when they went to their critical alert stage, their highest level.

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Wheaton, Md.: Every time there is a new attack, or attempted attack, airline security gets re-invented. We know what the threats are, even the liquid explosives. Why not develop real policies and procedures and stick with them?

Mike Brooks: The security measures and the terror alert level for the aviation sector is driven by intelligence and risk assessments. I will agree that each time that we see new procedure put into place. But again, it is all intelligence-driven and is taken on a case-by-case threat-to-threat basis.

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Omaha, Neb.: I know this question is going to sound vain and petty when there are terrorists running around, but why is something as harmless as mascara being banned? What can possibly fit in a tube of that size that could be combustible?

Mike Brooks: Well, back during the mid-'90s, Khaled Sheik Mohammad (attempted to blow up 12 U.S. carriers coming from the Far East in '94, '95) on board a nitro-glycerin-based explosive in a small contact lens solution bottle. He was testing the system and was able to get it on board. This is why you see the ban on even small containers like mascara.

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Pentagon City, Va.: I fly a lot internationally, and often bring something back (alcohol, perfume) from duty-free. I assume that the new restrictions prohibit that, but I would guess that the duty-free sales people will not be happy with this arrangement. Do you think something will be worked out as a go-around? Thanks!

Mike Brooks: They are working on the duty-free issue as we speak. There is concern of lost revenue from duty-free but they are working out a system that would be feasible to work within the currently operating system. So don't totally give up on duty-free.

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Buffalo, N.Y.: Any chance the airlines might start offering contact lens solution for passengers? On long flights it is a lifesaver and from what I understand it falls in with the banned liquids and not in the medicine exception.

Mike Brooks: I seriously doubt if the airlines will get involved in that due to the fact of possibly liability should a passenger have an allergic reaction to a particular brand.

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Arlington, Va.: For early morning flights out of BWI this weekend, how early should passengers arrive in order to check bags and go through screening?

Mike Brooks: For domestic flights you should allow yourself at least three hours, they're telling people. For international, double the time you would normally show up for an international flight.

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Washington, D.C.: There has been a lot of publicity about banning of cell phones and laptops but I am wondering what about cameras? I know they can't be used as triggers, but what about as receptacles? Are they still allowed in carry-ons?

Mike Brooks: For now, cameras are still allowed in carry-ons but I never say never, and that could change in the future also, but for now, they are allowed.

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New York, N.Y.: If this sort of threat has been known prior to this latest headline, why is it that the US has to scramble to get procedures in place? Shouldn't all types of scenarios be examined so implementation of new security procedures and protocol go more smoothly? It always seems like we're patching things up after seeing lots of nails and glass ahead in the distance, but wait until we roll over it and get a flat.

Mike Brooks: Procedures and technology are intelligence and scenario-driven, especially in the aviation industry. The last time we saw liquids as a threat was the mid-'90s. Since then we really have not seen liquids as a major threat to any transportation sector. They have been working on technology to detect liquid explosives but nothing is on the market as of yet.

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Frederick, Md.: what about food? Can you take food on a domestic flight? My husband has a flight to Las Vegas tomorrow on Southwest and they don't provide meals.

Mike Brooks: No, not permitting food also.

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St. Louis Park, Minn.: Given these new guidelines, what is the proper etiquette for a passenger when a seat mate produces a bottle of water?

Mike Brooks: Nice to hear from somebody from the Twin Cities area.

If you have a gut feeling and if you feel threatened, ring the flight attendant call button or if the Fasten Seat Belts light is off, discreetly get up and let one of the flight attendants know.

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Fairfax, Va. - ARGH matches are still allowed!: It kills me that they are even thinking about banning electronics because it could trigger a bomb -- but you can still bring four packs of matches on board! Uh, isn't this a pretty good way to trigger a bomb?

Mike Brooks: It sure is and that's how the shoe bomber, Richard Reid was attempting to set up the explosive he had in his shoe on aboard the American Airlines flight in December, 2001.

To be honest, they don't allow lighters on so I don't see why they should allow matches.

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Philadelphia, Pa.: Do you think Bush has done everything possible to make flying safe? I'm talking about his attempt to divert $6M for technology to detect liquid explosives?

Mike Brooks: I think we've made a number of big steps since 9/11 but there should be more focus on other aviation vulnerabilities such as cargo and screening of liquid explosives and other contraband that can get on board aircraft. It seems as if the terrorists still have an interest in bringing down aircraft. But we can't ignore the other transportation sectors too.

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Arlington, Va.: How are the baggage handlers doing with this drastic increase in checked luggage? And have the planes been able to hold it all? That's a lot of additional luggage that now has to be stored and moved by airline employees.

Mike Brooks: Some airlines were scrambling to hire more baggage handlers but it takes time especially with the background checks they have to go through. But overall, the airlines have been doing a pretty decent job but some luggage has not been meeting its destination.

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Picking up the tab for beverages: So are the airlines going to have to supply more beverages to their passengers and who will pick up the cost? I've heard of planes running out of water. I guess they could charge passengers, however can you imagine the liability if a passenger claims they are ill due to dehydration on a longer flight?

Mike Brooks: This is an issue that the airlines are dealing with and are trying to make adjustments for. I can tell you from when I was with Delta Airlines corporate security that there's only a certain amount of space, especially on smaller aircraft, for sodas, alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages and water. So the major problem is space restrictions on board the aircraft.

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Arlington, Va.: Any word on solid deodorants in carry-on luggage?

Mike Brooks: No solid deodorants in carry-on luggage. Put it in your checked baggage.

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Baton Rouge, La.: You said no food is allowed. Did you mean no liquid food? Can't I bring my box of raisins on the plane?

Mike Brooks: I was told by one airline official that they were not allowing food on board the aircraft. As far as I know, that hasn't changed but check with the particular airline your are flying to make sure that is still in effect.

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Crystal City, Va.: Will ticket agents and TSA be open for business three hours early? All to often these recommendations result in passengers lining up in front of closed baggage check stands and screening lines because the agents and TSA don't start work until 5:00 or later! What is the reason to show up at 3:00 a.m. for a 6 a.m. flight?

Mike Brooks: I ran into this prior to the restrictions in Minneapolis/Minnesota but even if they don't open in time at least you'll be first in line.

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Santa Fe, N.M.: Will film be allowed as carry-on, as it would be ruined by the high x-ray dose used for checked baggage ? Will cameras and lenses be allowed, as I don't believe that airlines cover damage to these if checked? What about scuba diving computers, which may be damaged by the low pressure in the baggage compartment?

Mike Brooks: As far as I know, those items are allowed on board the aircraft but you may want to refer to Transportation Security Administration .

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Philadelphia, Pa.: Dear Mr. Brooks --

Why are some airports having second security lines at the gates? I understand this is because they sell water after the initial security line, but don't they serve water on the planes as well?

Thanks.

Mike Brooks: Yes, there are second check lines at the gates before you get on board. Some airports are doing this for all passengers and some are doing random checks but I would not try to take any liquids on board the aircraft even if they're doing random checks.

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Washington, D.C.: Thanks for chatting. I am traveling to London in 2 weeks and am concerned about checking my laptop and iPod. A Post article this morn. on travel in the UK stated "Airport officials said that by Tuesday, passengers could bring one carry-on bag, about the size of a computer bag, but it could not contain cosmetics, toiletries, drinks, or liquids."

Where does this leave folks going from the U.S. to the U.K.? Should much of this be resolved in the next few weeks?

Mike Brooks: I think we'll see some more relaxing of the restrictions in the next few weeks but for now, if you're traveling domestically, you can still take electronics on board. I think going from the U.S. to the U.K., you can but coming in the other direction, you can. But things are changing regularly and it would be best to check with your regular airline.

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Leesburg, Va.: We are traveling to Heathrow this weekend. Should we lock our checked luggage with TSA locks or leave all our suitcases unlocked?

Mike Brooks: You should leave all your suitcases unlocked. It will expedite things because if the TSA has to inspect the luggage then they have to cut the locks off.

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Manassas, Va.: My husband and I plan to travel to Mexico on Saturday. Because of a very short 30 minute connection in Denver we are afraid the checked baggage won't make our flight, so we plan to take only small suitcases that were permitted as carry on bags on flights prior to last Friday. If we have no prohibited items will this plan still work?

Mike Brooks: Absolutely, as long as you don't have any prohibited items in your carry-ons.

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Mike Brooks: Get your sunscreen in Mexico.

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San Francisco, Calif.: Liquid explosives were used in Al Qaeda's Bojinka plot to blow up airliners in 1995. (They exploded one small bomb on a plane as a test; the plot was foiled by an apartment fire less than two weeks before the scheduled date.)

Why hasn't the government taken any steps since 1995 to prevent this kind of threat? Why have we been allowed to carry liquids on planes for the past 11 years? What's so dangerous now?

Mike Brooks: As I said earlier, the restrictions and technology is intelligence driven, having been on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force during that time and in aviation security since, I can tell you that there have been no threats using a liquid or gel-type explosive until now. They have been working on technology thought to detect liquid explosives but nothing has been rolled out as of yet but it's being worked on.

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Mike Brooks: There have been some excellent questions today and I'm sorry I wasn't able to get to all of them but I think the watch word for now is vigilance. Don't become complacent and be aware of your surrounding wherever you are. In this post 9/11 world we have to develop a security mindset. If there's something that you think is out of place and your gut tells you that something here doesn't look right, let a police officer or security official know about it. Or if you see any activity that you think is suspicious, call 911 or contact your local FBI office.

Thanks again and thanks for the opportunity to answer your questions. Stay safe.

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