Flying has changed as we know it.....my day at Logan (THURS 8/10)

Flying has changed as we know it.....my day at Logan (THURS 8/10)

Flying as we know it has changed forever especially for those who live by only doing "carry on luggage" forever (myself included).

Everything started out normal on Thursday, August 10 and I was doing my morning routine when our dad called us. My sis who works at Logan, got a call telling us to watch the TV. Turns out that a terrorist plot was foiled and now there were NEW restrictions on what you could or could not bring onto the airplanes.

Prohibited items and information over the internet and TV constantly changed throughout the day. I myself had a flight (one hour on AIRTRAN) at 6pm expected arrival being 7:30pm and dinner plans with my friend Betty (whom I could not wait to see!).

I had to repack my bag and took out anything LIQUID, LOTION, GEL or similiar consistency and for safety precaution I took out sunscreen, lip gloss, deodorant and chapstick. Luckily I live close to home, thanks sis for getting my stuff at my work place.
I get to the airport two hours beforehand (I thought 3 hours was too much). I did not have anything to check, going through security took me 20 minutes. There was one machine and two lines. The trash bins was piled high with tooth paste, expensive lip glosses, cosmetics and creams, water and drink bottles were in the mix as well.

The AirTran terminal at LOGAN is sad and very boring. I got a seat at the UNO's (only food option there) and chatted with a Brit while we were watching the late breaking news. AirTran unfortunately does not have an TV Monitors so everything has to be announced by intercom (which can be a pain at times). Our gates were constantly switched and all flights were delayed (according to my sister I found out later any late day flights have a high chance of being delayed--not a great omen for me).

My flight seems to be on target to be on time til 5:30 and I see a sign change to 8:15pm departure. YIKES! I call my friends and try to while away some time. I read some newspapers and I meet a nice gal from the Bay Area. She is a student in Boston and I gave her some food /restaurant tips both on the cheap and affordable route plus good ethnic choices I tend to favor. We had a great chat. Turns out she is Filipina and was surprised I knew without going through a list of other ethnicities. (I did ask first without trying to guess first). She was bound to Atlanta (eventually she did leave before me but had many false alarms regarding her actual departure time).

My plane came in at 7:30 and was ready to be board etc for 8:15pm departure until we heard this announcement.... a first officer on our plane has an ear infection and is sick. So they are flying her replacement person from Chicago so that person will arrive at 10:15PM. So hang tight and you are lucky we are not canceling your flight. I am not too keen on hearing this as I was at the airport since 3pm.

The time slowly passes and the plane arrives with our first officer. But our plan is now dragged out from a remote area. The TSA has to do another hand luggage check on EVERYONE's luggage. Since there is no table, they use the AIRTRAN counter. My TSA person was nice . (Later to my dismay and chagrin I did not get back my CAMERA! Granted it is not exhorbitantly expensive or a digital one but the fact of the matter I never got it back!!! On top of it, I asked for Lost and Found ---not there. Luckily no photos were on it, I just had put in a new roll. On top of that, I had about 6 rolls of new film before heading to the airport (now useless to me). I found out this of course the next morning!!!)

I do finally get to Philly at 12:30AM (Fri AUG 11). Thanks Betty for getting me and we had a nice meal in Chinatown (David's Mai Lai Wah 1001 Race Street, Philly PA TEL (215) 627 2610/{215) 238 0818. I ordered a quarter soy sauce chicken, pork and watercress soup and singaporean rice noodles. With tip everything only cost $21 and we were satisfied! Betty never had soy sauce chicken (yummy!) Plus it was a packed house for Thursday night (possibly late night munchies for the local clubbers and college students. We did spot a group of guys who were noshing on many seafood dishes enjoying themselves! When you go to a packed house (even with other late night options) you know you are doing ok!

I got into my hotel by 3am. The clerk at the desk gave me a free voucher for a breakfast buffet (value $15-17 per person without tip) after hearing my 8 hours at the airport. A big thank you for the night manager on AUG 11 early morning at the Sheraton City Center Hotel (Race and 17th). BTW I adore their new beds (so comfy and inviting!).
**It was a pain to get to by driving because we had to circle a bit (all the one ways) near City Centre and The Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1776
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(I got this from TSA website today August 16, 2006)
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/new-items.shtm
Prohibited Items
Travel Tips to be Prepared for Enhanced Security
What to Know Before You Go

Due to enhanced security measures liquids, gels, lotions and other items of similar consistency will not be permitted in carry-on baggage. These types of items must be packed in your checked baggage.

Additionally, liquids, gels and lotions purchased beyond the checkpoint but must be disposed of before boarding the aircraft.

To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers the following items are permitted.
Small amounts of Baby formula and breast milk if a baby or small child is traveling
Liquid prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket
Up to 8 oz. of liquid or gel low blood sugar treatment
Up to 4 oz. of essential non-prescription liquid medications
Gel-filled bras and similar prostethics worn for medical reasons

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel or aerosol.
Only the items mentioned above are permitted in your carry-on bags. If you have questions or doubts on certain items, place those in your checked baggage.

We encourage everyone to pack gel-filled bras in their checked baggage. We recognize the sensitivity of the issue and we are reaching out to key women’s medical associations to assist passengers and make information available to them while respecting their privacy. Passengers with medical gel prosthetics will be permitted through the security checkpoint.

Please keep in mind, that while we can not provide an exhaustive list of items that covering all eventualities, all liquids, gels, or aerosols of any kind are prohibited at security checkpoints, in airport sterile areas, and aboard aircraft. You can pack these items in your checked baggage.
We ask for your cooperation in the screening process by being prepared before you arrive. We also ask that you follow the guidelines above and try not to over-think these guidelines. Please pack liquids, gels, and aerosols in your checked baggage even if you do not normally check a bag.
In addition to liquids, gels, and aerosols numerous other potentially dangerous items are not permitted in carry-on baggage. We strongly encourage travelers to read more about previously prohibited items to avoid complications during screening.
Learn more about our new security procedures
Learn more about the threat level change

Prohibited Items

To help you understand what you should or should not bring in your carry-on baggage, we have provided the following list of common items you may be traveling with. Remember, liquids, gels and aerosols are prohibited. Please leave those items at home or pack them in your checked baggage.

Makeup and Personal Items

Aerosol spray bottles and cans
All creams and lotions including Neosporin or first-aid creams and ointments, topical or rash creams and ointments, suntan lotions, moisturizers, etc.
Bug and mosquito sprays and repellents
Eye drops (See exceptions below)
Deodorants made of gel or aerosol
Hair styling gels and spray of all kinds including aerosol
Hair straightener or detangler Lip gels such as Carmex or Blistex Liquid lip glosses or other liquids for lips
Liquid bubble bath including gel or liquid filled bubble bath balls or bath oils or moisturizers
Liquid foundations
Liquid, gel or spray perfumes or colognes
Liquid sanitizers
Liquid soaps
Liquid mascara
Make up removers or facial cleansers
Non-prescription liquid or gel medicines like cough syrup and gel cap type pills (See our section on Medications)
Mouthwash
Nail polish and removers
Saline solution (See exceptions below)
Shampoos and conditioners
Toothpaste

Food and Drinks
All beveragesCheese in pressurized containersDuty free alcohol and other items
(Please see our section on Duty Free Items)
Gel based sports supplementsJellosPuddingWhipped creamYogurt or gel like food substances
Other Items
Gel-type candlesGel shoe inserts (See exceptions below)
Lighters (Read our section on lighters and matches)

Other Important Travel Tips

Exceptions
Under certain circumstances, some items from the list above are permitted. To help you understand more about these items and the circumstances under which they are permitted please read below.

Eye drops - You are allowed to carry up to 4 oz., of eye drops with you. Volumes greater than 4 oz., are only permitted in your checked baggage.Gel Shoe Inserts - Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, but shoes constructed with gel heels are allowed and must be removed and screened.

Prescription and non-prescription medications and other medical needs

Saline solution - You are allowed to carry up to 4 oz., of eye drops with you. Volumes greater than 4 oz., are only permitted in your checked baggage.