Why is it safe to bring liquids on a plane now?

Question

Why was it safe to bring liquids on a plane just a few weeks after the ban was put into effect due to a terrorist plot? Were they afraid the terrorist group had some operatives who weren't captured who might go forward with the attack, or was it to make people feel safer? And is there any reason bringing liquids onto a plane is safer now than a few weeks ago?

Opinions are welcome but points will go to anyone who can tell me how the decision was made.

By the way, I traveled on a plane a year and a half ago, and absent-mindedly brought a bottle of water... when I was passing through security I asked where I could throw it away and they said no, it's OK, bring it

Answer 1

Not all liquids are allowed on flights at this point in time. The ones that are allowed they keep them to an extreme minimum of 3 oz. I'm not 100 % sure on this, but I had heard from another fellow travel industry person say that the amount of liquids that were trying to be used in London for a bomb was a substantial amount that was needed. If it is restricted to 3 oz. it makes it much more difficult to accomplish there "sick plans".

I think we have all seen nothing is impossible though, so I suppose if they get enough terrorist onto one flight, then who knows.

I believe in the near future it will come to where only electronics, must needed meds, etc. will be allowed on flights and all other unnecessary stuff to have on a flight will need to be checked.

If this were to happen and if valuables were required to check, definitely make sure to have travel insurance to cover the cost of your valuables. If something is broken, the airline isn't financially considered responsible for the damages.

Check this link for updated information as of today on luggage allowance on flights.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm


Maybe this well answer some of the questions you may have. Have a good day =)

Answer 2

Well, I don't know the details of how that particular decision was made, but I have been working in the news media for some years and have become incredibly cynical about the whole flow of information and the way authorities react to it.
Simply put, the news cycle has an attention span of about 1 1/2 week. Something is always happening to grab the media's attention. This become the publics' focus. There may be a mass murder somewhere, a terror plot, like the one you mentioned, a political scandal, etc..., etc... there's always something. The public has a short memory and the news media is going by a 'if it bleeds it leads' rule, which means they're going to air the new sensation ad nauseam.
When the news media forgets about an issue and goes to the new flavor of the month, the majority of the public tends to forget about it as well. The authorities no longer feel the pressure to address that issue urgently and they stop deploying unreasonable measures to the latest media scare fad. The fact is, plain and simple, perfect security would require half the adult population working in security in one respect or another. Government can't possibly do it and know general security is much more efficient than response to specific threats like 'liquid on a plane', simply because that's the last attempt. The next one will, of course, be different. There's really little point in focusing on 'liquids on a plane'. Just like 'shoes on a plane'. Who knows? Next time it could be someone's wrist watch - they don't go through the scanner.

Answer 3

I'm personally OK with banning all kinds of things on the airplane, even if it costed me another $10 - 20 per ticket for extra security and I couldn't bring on my own water, Ipod, etc. Relaxing on the rules after a month or two (which I think has happened before w/ something else) bothers me. I would GUESS that it has to do with threat level assessments. Our government (and others) have gotten a lot better at sniffing out problems before they happen. I don't mind sacrificing a few extra rights in the name of security. Go ahead and have wiretaps on international calls to Iran, Saudi Arabia... I don't care. We can't keep living like we did in the past. Times have changed. If we dont' change our ways another 911 is right around the corner.

Answer 4

Well, liquids are still restricted, I believe - you can't bring beverages on yet, can you? But basically, the liquid ban was a knee-jerk reaction without much backup to it. See, it's not scientifically possible to bring two Gatorade bottles with chemicals, pour one into the other, and blow us all to kingdom come. Chemistry doesn't work like that. And it took the gov't a while to actually start listening to that. Now can I bring my damn Starbucks on the plane, please?

Answer 5

Did you not read about the London Scare? It about 5-6 months ago had to do with terrorists using a mixture of liquids to make explosives...that's why they stopped it now...but not 1 1/2 years ago....when they let you bring water on...now they will allow you only a minimal amount and they must be able to see it

Answer 6

The services innvolved (aviation and security) have done explosives tests with the substances that presumably were to be used by those involved in last month's plot, and have concluded which amounts are 'safe' and which are potentially dangerous.

Any security measures have to be a compromise. You may not like to hear it, but it is not possible to check everyone for absolutely everything. The system would collapse within days, as they found at Heathrow when they tried.

Answer 7

You Still have to put gels and liquids (with a few exceptions like breast milk and perscription medicine) in your carry on luggage, you can, however, take on liquids and gels you have bought at duty free AFTER going through security.

Travellers going to the United States (U.S.):

For all flights departing Canada and bound for the United States (U.S.) from airports providing U.S. pre-clearance services (Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal), the sale of liquids, gels or aerosols at duty free stores will continue to be permitted provided passengers transfer these items to their checked baggage before proceeding through the screening process.

For all other flights departing Canada and bound for the U.S., liquids, gels or aerosols may be available for purchase at duty free stores and onboard aircraft depending on the airline. Passengers will only receive their goods upon termination of the flight and should enquire at their duty free store or with their airline to determine if this service is available.

Answer 8

I suppose you should check online with each individual airport you will be visiting, due to the fact that each airport have their own rules. Also one tip. Dont wear pants with lots of zippers. I flew out of San Francisco, passed the metal detector, but when I flew out of Philly, it made the metal detector go crazy, then I had to be body searched, which takes awhile.

Answer 9

a relative of mine who works for Jet Blue told me you can take 3 ounces on now, but i would check with the individual airports before flying. you can look their # up and call customer service.

Answer 10

It's not safe ti's just legal.