terrorist threat

janebrain

seen the news this morning? should be some cheap last minute deals now!

budgetflyer

This will affect a lot of travellers carrying hand luggage only.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778575.stm

The Department for Transport set out the details of the security measures at UK airports.
Passengers will not be allowed to take any hand luggage on to any flights in the UK, the department said. Only the barest essentials - including passports and wallets - will be allowed to be carried on board in transparent plastic bags.

This will affect all airlines. "Hand luggage only" passengers who have checked in online will have to check in proper and check their hand luggage in. Delays and cancellations may occur.

rchddap1

On BBC news they'r saying you can take travel documents, essential medical supplies, glasses, and anything necessary for infants. They are also saying if you're carrying any liquids they will be confiscated (I assume things like drinks bottles). As well as your bag being xrayed, your shoes will be also. There is also likely to be a person check.

Before you get onto the plane there will be another check (ie, after duty free).

Have just heard that check-in at Heathrow is suspended because of a lack of staff, but they are still saying that people should check in as normal.

dawnylou

It also just said that people who have jars of baby food will be made to open them and taste them in front of security

budgetflyer

From BAA website

Following this mornings police action, the Department for Transport have asked all UK airports to apply additional security measures designed to ensure passenger safety. These measures will prevent passengers from carrying hand luggage into the cabin of an aircraft with the following excepts (which must be placed in a plastic bag):
 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 (e.g. 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)
 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.
BAA wish to stress that these are precautionary measures. During the next few days airports will be extremely busy, therefore only those intending to fly should come to the airport. Passengers are also asked to use public transport to get to and from the airport wherever possible.
Passengers are asked to be patient while these additional security measures are put in place. Delays are likely and passengers are therefore asked to allow extra time for their journey.

jenpoptab

My MIL flew the other night, so luckily escaped this but I guess it may affect her return journey. What a nightmare.

At least it's just a safety precaution and luckily nobody has been hurt.

Gem_

DH was planning to fly on Sunday after spending the weekend with me but now looks like he can't visit :mad: - apparently even laptops have to go in the hold and there is no way we are doing that :eek:

We tried to call flybe to see if there is any way to change the tickets to later in the year when things have calmed down but the message just says "we are experiencing a high volume of calls pleases call again" and then hangs up on him.

Obviously glad no one was hurt but it seems crazy to let the terrrorists win by being scared and running around like headless chickens.

G

lily_the_pink

BA are allowing passengers to cancel and rebook up until 1st December (though some reports say the next 2 weeks)

I just phoned united as have some relatives flying back to USA today :eek: . They advise check in at normal time, expect delays of 1 or 2 hours and no handluggage except absolute essentials in a plastic bag. The main problem will be actually physically getting them into the airport as in the past when this sort of security alert has happened, there are massive traffic jams around the airport to add to the chaos inside.

helenyw

lily_the_pink wrote:

BA are allowing passengers to cancel and rebook up until 1st December (though some reports say the next 2 weeks)

do you have the source for this?

Thanks.

PS This forum is such a fantastic one-stop source of up-to-date information.

rchddap1

Lufthansa have also cancelled all inbound flights to the UK. Don't know about outbound....but those won't last long because they'll run out of planes over here.

aimex

how much of an effect do you think this will have on hols in the next few weeks? have they said how long this will be in place for?