[SimonRowberry]

Hi Jonathan,

Sage advice as usual. Thanks.

Best wishes to you and your family for 2010,

Simon

[AntonyHN]

Once again the USA has gone into crisis mode to the inconvenience of all passengers because of their lack of effective advance screening

The “no liquids” and “take off your shoes” checks are bad enough and cause enough delays The newly proposed measures are surely the wrong solution to the problem they perceive

Antony

[VintageKrug]

Indeed.

While Headlines may suggest the ultimate aim of the terrorists is to explode aircraft, the more likely intention is simply to disrupt economic activity and tourism to the US (and other countries globally).

While one would not be surprised by a security failure at Lagos (which for a long time was classed as having inadequate security), it is more concerning to read of the breach at AMS, notwithstanding the structural security loophole which allegedly exists there.

The fundamental failure for this incident, however, rests with the US authorities who granted a visa and ESTA to someone who was on a “watch” list which illustrates the window dressing which is the TSA’s approach to guarding our security.

Some BETTER NEWS recently released:

1. The requirement for the disabling of aircraft-integrated passenger communication systems and services (for example ‘Airshow’) is now removed.

2. The measures in the passenger cabin, introduced for the 1 hour prior to landing are now removed. However, whilst passengers are not confined to their seats within this period, they must keep to their assigned seats if directed by the crew.

The security restrictions prior to boarding US bound flights (one cabin bag, gate screening) remain in effect.

[Senator]

Dear all,
Hope the holidays are treating you well. I am off on a three week holiday trip to the USA, and flew the new LX A330-300 in First yesterday (operational upgrade from Business) from ZRH to JFK. I experienced firsthand the madness of TSA “rearview mirror” security tactics.

The usual transit from A to E at ZRH with passport control and security at E. Then at all US bound flights, LX were putting forward the following routine:

Separated male and female passengers into two groups. Single line queues (male and female) for all cabins where a full body pat down and a second screening of carry-on bags took place. A bit useless to say the least.

Once onboard, we were notified of a “lock down” one hour before landing. No lavatory visits, no access to bags, all blankets/duvets and pillows collected. Coat on the ottoman, not on lap etc. Once again, useless. Passengers adhered to regulations with a smile.

Arrival at JFK dreadful with long queues for immigration. In my 20 years of travel to the US, never seen anything like it. Not sure if it was related to security or not. I was a bit cheeky, and was able to get special “service” as a senior UN diplomat was escorted by LX ground staff through immigration. Otherwise, it would have taken at least two hours.

The strange part of the experience is that I transferred to AA from T8 at JFK for a flight to BOS. T8 was empty, and the security experience the same as ARN.

For you Star Alliance fans out there, I really liked the new First experience on LX. Staff was brilliant, seat very comfortable and private. I can see this being a hit. Two drawbacks; limited selection in the entertainment system and the beverage selection was a bit dull – whites included Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2007, whilst good not necessary a First class wine. Food good and plentiful. I will provide more details later.

[Travellator]

Can anyone confirm that LHR T5 is only allowing 1 piece of baggage for NON USA flights. If so is there a size restriction ? Virgins web site is listing a size and weight restriction of 6KG from T3 to USA.

[Binman62]

I tend to agree with the comments above that the only direction now available for security sreening is to profile passengers in advance and separate high risk from low risk. It may not be very PC but whilst the once or twice a year holiday makers may not be bothered with long queues and delays, regular travellers will very quickly tire of processes that clearly are not fit for purpose.

It is extraordinary that KLM did not pick up a cash ticket and no baggage passenger themselves. That said, the US authorities have been shown again to have inadequate processes and a their reaction is typically bullish and over the top while remaining meer window dressing. Silly regulations such as remaining in seats, is clearly ill though out and unworkable and nor can such issues be left to the wishes of individual crews..

I actively avoid all travel on US carriers now and will continue to do so in the future not because anyone else is safer but because the rest of the world remains a little more objective. There is clearly risk involved in flying but there is simply no need for the agressive and highly intrusive security that is typical in the USA.

Forums such should also ensure that the voice of business traveller is heard to ensure that safety remains a priority for all countries and airlines but above all to ensure that a more consistent approach to security is developed at airports generally, including detailed passengers profiling and an end to sheep dip processing.

[FlyingChinaman]

Hi Binman,

I could not agree with you more!!!!

[VintageKrug]

While I agree with the thrust of your argument, I would again re-iterate that avoiding a certain nationality of carrier rather plays into the terrorists’ hands.

I have experienced United new First and Business class products, and they are excellent:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6867,53247,00.html

While US based carriers did rather overreact post 9/11, they have tended to adopt a more pragmatic approach more recently.

There is an opportunity here for the European Union to lead the way in improving security without impacting people’s journey times; the CAA and BAA have an opportunity to be at the forefront of this. I am, however, not hopeful they will take any sort of lead.

[FlyingChinaman]

United new First and Business Class product is a vast improvement over the previously tired and depressing vintage seatings but as far as the actual in-flight service is concern, there has been a down-grading in the last few months. Champagne is no longer served in Business, only sparkling wines!

[JackyLek]

Hi

I do avoid US carrier, because they provide much lower standard the other European airlines, and call me a chicken but US carrier is more terror-risky then other carrier, and if we go back in history the number of attacks has been on US carrier.

[VintageKrug]

Gosh, didn’t realise the champers had turned into fizzy wine in J. Something called Iron Horse Brut, apparently.

My most recent F flight with United longhaul was late Summer, and I enjoyed a delicious bottle of 1998 Vintage Cuvee Diamant; not a wine I had come across before, but delicious at altitude, with a lovely cut glass bottle.

JackyLek, I really would urge a reconsideration of longhaul flying with United, if you can get a flight with the new cabins as (fizzy wine in J) notwithstanding, United really has come along leaps and bounds in the past year or so.

While I totally respect your choices based on comfort, service levels, routing or price I do take issue with playing into the terrorists hands by avoiding flying US carriers, or indeed avoiding visiting the US in general.

Doing so satisfies one of the principal aims of these campaigns.

These words do illustrate the point:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak out for me.

[Binman62]

VK. I agree that avoidance of travel on US carriers and avoidance of the USA generally plays into terrorists hands. I also accept your sentiment, expressed in the well known verse which you quoted. That said, my reasons for avoiding US carriers is not due to Terrorism, which can strike anywhere at anytime,it is because of how the US then reacts to these events themselves. I travel on the tube, I visit London, I go to Bali. We live in a dangerous world, but how nations react to these events and how they then treat others, says a lot about a country and their attitiude to the world. The USA is a great nation, but their reaction to these events is disproportionate and their processes are flawed. As a result, innocent people trying to holiday or visit, are treated as criminals and with suspicion at every stage of their journey and this is especailly so on US carriers.
I visit the USA just once a year now with my family and we go to ski. We are treated as everyone else and go through sheep dip processing on departure and on arrival, being finger printed, photographed, scanned and x rayed. I have personally been taken off a BA flight by armed officials just before departure because I did not use a self service departure machine at Denver about 3 years ago. It was my fault but the behaviour of the officials was simply unaceptable and created an atmospehere on board the aircraft when we returned. There is no recourse to these issues.
So my avoidance of the USA and its airlines is not about avoiding risk but avoiding heavy handed, intrusive and ultimately, pointless hassle.

Happy New Year from a hot and sultry Sydney.

[AntonyHN]

I agree with binman 62 that officials in the USA, including cabin crew on US airlines, seem to be specially trained to be hostile to foreigners This reflects into the TSA attitude with the result that while US carriers enforce the rules to the letter non US carriers tend to treat the rules with sensible flexibility

Arriving in Australia or flying on a Aussie is a delight by comparison

Antony H

[VintageKrug]

Yes, I do see your point Binman.

As ever, I have been lucky in my interactions with the TSA, and my regular US trips have proceeded without incident.

In their defence all I can say is that post 9/11 things got pretty bad (VERY formal immigration staff, serious feeling of criminalisation whenever you entered) however it certainly improved about two years ago, despite the introduction of the full fist fingerprinting, as agents received better training and became noticeably more “friendly” (based on my personal experiences at SNN, MIA, TPA, JFK, LAS, LAX and SFO this year).

Let’s hope recent events will be properly managed and that the urge towards state bureaucracy is nipped in the bud (it seems this will be the case as many of the knee-jerk window dressing directives have already been withdrawn).

I am also in Sydney having a night in pre-NYE and enjoying a pleasant airconditioned breeze while admiring the view overlooking the Bridge and Opera House!

Saw the test sequence for the NYE symbol on the bridge last night on rousing at 4am – rather better than previous ones, with plenty of fiery animation.

Let’s hope the showers hold off for the main event tomorrow!

[Author]

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