Alert Levels Raised to Red and Orange

Alert Levels Raised to Red and Orange
Restricted Luggage Policies - Expect Security Delays (8/10/2006)

Effective August 10, the Department of Homeland Security has raised the United States security threat level to Red, or Severe, for commercial flights originating in the United Kingdom bound for the United States. For all other commercial aviation operating in or destined for the United States, the threat level has been raised to Orange, or high.

DHS is prohibiting all liquid-based substances from being carried on an airplane and is implementing additional security measures within the airport and at screening checkpoints.

The new measures mean that you should arrive at the airport early and to expect security delays. Additionally, travelers should include all liquid-based substances, such as hair gel, lotion, shampoo, cream, contact lens solution and toothpaste, with their checked baggage, and to finish all liquid refreshments (e.g. water, soda, etc.) before proceeding to security. The exceptions are: baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines.

US Traveler Restrictions:

Pack all liquid-based substances, such as hair gel, lotion, shampoo, cream, non-prescription liquids (e.g. contact lens solution, eye drops, etc.) and toothpaste in your checked baggage.
Finish all refreshments prior to heading to the security check-point.
Limit your carry on items to your essential needs to facilitate easier screening.
Check with your air carrier well before your flight departs for information on when you should arrive at the airport.
On your day of departure, check your departing airport's Web site for any reported new security delays.
Cooperate with TSA personnel at all checkpoints and gates as TSA may require a secondary screening of carry-on baggage at the gate.
Be attentive and report any suspicious activity to the nearest TSA Officer.
DHS has provided no indication of when, or if, these measures would be rescinded. Details can be found at: http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/threat-change.shtm .

The policy for British Airways includes the following restrictions:

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 (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 traveling 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 (e.g. tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
keys (but no electrical key fobs)

Every other item must be carried in customer's hold luggage.

For clarity, passengers are advised that no electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, ipods, remote controls etc can be carried in the cabin and must be checked in as hold baggage.

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.

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