The FAA has released new procedures.

http://www.abcnews.com/sections/us/DailyNews/wtc010913_air port.html

How long do you think it will be before Americans get sick of waiting again?

Thinking about how truly lax our standards were before I got even more frightened and it struck me that a disaster like this was a long time coming.

A friend cynically joked that he wondered what the terrorists answered when the ticket agent asked if they'd packed their own bags.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Answers

I'm not sure any of the new measurements would have stopped what happened Tuesday, save the presence of federal air marshals. Only allowing ticketed passengers to the gates (which, by the way, was already standard practice in Newark) certainly wouldn't have done any good.

The Smoker's all for allowing people with concealed-carry permits to take guns onto planes. Which almost makes sense.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

While none of the new measures seem like they would've stopped Tuesday, some of them seem like such commen sense. When I heard that the terrorists might have flown from Maine to Boston in order to bypass Logan security I thought, how simple. How EASY. How often do I fly from po-dunk Port Columbus into the largest airports in the world and then just waltz right on to another plane?! Every time I fly. Every.time.

I think there should be security checks before you get on the damn plane. What good does it do if I go through an archaic metal detector and then hang out in the gates for hours with people who didn't check in, who have left no trace of being in the airport. All the time.

I think the days of tearful goodbyes and joyous greetings by the gate, of looking back over your shoulder as you walk down the ramp, are over. And you know, all I can think is that it's about damn time.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

I agree that there has to be more security surrounding airports -- not just large ones, but EVERY airport. For both incoming and outgoing passengers. I don't believe guns, concealed or not, are the answer. What happens if you shoot one in a plane? Aside from concerns about ricocheting bullets and passenger safety, if you break a plane window at 30,000 feet your plane is going to decompress. The time for prevention is on the ground, not on a plane in the air.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Yeah. A journaler said the airline system was a weak link. He also said there should be fighters constantly patrolling the airspace over Washington DC.

I have to fly in two weeks. I'm interested to see what will happen, how long the wait is. I also think the public is going to go ballistic when it sinks in that they can't carry their luggage on board.

I couldn't help myself yesterday when I was watching TV and the reporter was outlining the new security procedures. I kept yelling "IT'S TOO LATE!" But really, it's about time. I hope the changes are permanent, unlike after the Gulf War when security got lax again.

(P.S. Glad to hear everyone here is OK.)

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

I haven't heard anything about no carry-on luggage.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Neither have I, although I have heard that there will be more hand-checks of all luggage. This is good news. And they'll probably be more strict with the 2 items per person thign. Not 2 bags, your purse and your shopping bag full of Disney crap. (Although, I'm guilty of that as well.)

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

i had heard that one idea being tossed around to crack down on airport security was to not allow any carry on bags. this includes purses. i don't know if they are going to do this, but i heard they were contemplating this option.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Well, they should be strict about the two items rule, regardless of security procedures. It is a pain in the ass to wait in the back of the plane when your bladder is full to the point where you might soon be in need of a nephrologist, but some person is unoading their four carry-ons from the overhead bins, and until they're through, you are left to do a subtle pee pee dance and pray.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

Yeah, it's time for these measures to be in place - and enforced.

But I've got to admit I'm going to miss the goodbye/hello scenes at the gate. I'm one of those who spends every last minute with loved ones before slooooowly walking down the ramp, watching them over my shoulder.

-- Anonymous, September 13, 2001

My dad's a knife nut. I mean, a serious knife nut. Just Monday he was out visiting and complaining about the FAA regulations and ONLY being allowed to carry a four inch knife on the plane. I cringe remembering that.

But you know? Flying is a privelege. I wouldn't be that opposed to having my bags searched every time I flew, to be honest.

-- Anonymous, September 15, 2001

I read somewhere (sorry, can't remember where!) that there's a discussion about having armed police officers on every flight. As there are more cops in the country than U.S. Marshalls, it would mean more flights guarded. I think this is a great idea in theory, but it would be a logistical nightmare. (Oh - they would use those special bullets that are fatal but can't pierce a plane's fuselage.)

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2001

I flew from Hartsfield to Austin this weekend, and beyind them checking my email itinerary printout, there was no extra security at Hartsfield, the busiest airport in the world. My cousin flew to Austin from Dulles, and was shocked that there was no additional security. None. Seriously, all they care about at Dulles is whether your bag fits through the little rectangle on the x-ray machines.

So long as airport security is funded by the airlines, we shouldn't expect anything different. The airlines are laying off thousands, and I doubt they have the money or the time to upgrade the slack security guards. I think the best solution would be to use some military reserve forces to make sure it is safe to fly.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2001

For the new security regulations, Hartsfield is one the worst- designed airports, since 70% of the restaurants, shops, etc., are at the gates rather than in the central location. So now that they're not letting ticketed passengers beyond security, the gates are near- deserted.

And no, I didn't notice any extra security measures beyond that.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2001

what does the only ticketed passengers beyond the security checkpoint rule do. It makes plane spotting guides out of date, Dallas and Minnipolis airports with no place for non passengers to get a bite to eatn overcrowds the Bag claim area and takes one screener that could be ckecking bags or scanning passengers and sticks them at the front of the checkpoint and checks boarding passes. If there is only one person doing that the queing area past the person will be empty but there will be a huge line up of angry passengers waiting. Austraila incrased security but stills allows non passengers beyond the metal detectors.

To the FAA can you Please open the concourses to non passengers again after the war is over and the threat decreases. thank you

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2002