terrorist threat

rchddap1

No time limit for these measures are in place. They could be there for a couple of days, or the same measures (or more likely a modified version) could be in place from now on.

You just have to keep your eye on things, and I'm sure someone will post as things change.

arnie&caseysma!

Don't be surprised if the handluggage thing carries on for the forseeable future, if not indefinitely. I heard some time ago (can't remember where) that hand luggage was going to banned and anything you wanted to take would have to fit into a small container provided by the airline. Another way to penlise you for being over your hold baggage allowance or are they going to increase that to compensate? And will they also stump up for breaking any items that have to go in the hold that you would normally have carried in the cabin with you to protect them?

rchddap1

Air France and KLM have also cancelled flights.
Brussels Airport has halted flights to the UK

Barcode

Any airline that attempts to penalise passengers for going over their checked baggage allowance because of this will almost certainly come under serious fire. I doubt very much that will happen.

I for one will feel safer if these measures are in place next Friday when I'm due to leave LHR for Sydney.

rchddap1

I understand that most are letting passengers check-in using their 'total baggage allowance'...ie, what they'd normally check into the hold + what is usually allowed in the cabin = the amount that people can check into the hold from today....without any extra charge.

Hope that makes sense.

billy_the_kid_2

This is typical bad luck for me, I'm taking the kids on their first foreign trip to Menorca on Monday ( we usually camp in Cornwall). And as a moneysaver have refused the onboard meal, as I was going to take sarnies and bottled water. So I now have the prospect of hours of wait at the airport and no drinks for the kids.

Oh and to compound matters, the other half is an insulin dependant diabetic. So getting vials of liquid insulin through also is going to cause trouble I fear.

rchddap1

Two other carriers cancelling flights to the UK:-

Spanish Iberia and Greek carrier Olympic.

BBC have a site where they are updating the current status of Uk airports:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4778771.stm

It does include the info that all flights from George Best Belfast to Heathrow and Stanstead have been cancelled

jetboy

I should imagine these measures will be in place for a while but cannot be sustained indefinately. They are not even allowing crews on board with their flight cases and bags. Give it a few days to settle and common sense will start to blend into the situation. I wouldn't hold out much hope for being able to take your weekend bag on as hand luggage for some time though. Immediately post 911 the same hand baggage restrictions were enforced. I remember that very well.

billy_the_kid_2

Cant even get onto the BAA website now, its completely overloaded.

I need to know how we will be able to verify that liquid insulin is genuine. Apart from injecting it in front of someone. Cant imagine my wife will be too pleased with that one. She cant inject unless she eats very soon afterwards. What if she goes hypoglaecemic on the flight??

'prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (e.g. diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic'

rchddap1

Gatwick is also closed now as well (inbound and outbound).