Travel Security Update.

Oct 2, 2006

Boarding process benefits from security rules. New airport security rules have smoothed the boarding process because more travelers are checking their bags. The rules restrict the amount of liquid fliers may take in their carry-on bags. "The boarding times have been cut down greatly. It's a lot less stressful," a Northwest Airlines flight attendant says. Sep 29, 2006

Travelers wonder why screening is inconsistent. The Transportation Security Administration's new rules have generated many questions and complaints, the Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. TSA officials say the three-ounce bottles of liquids that are allowed on planes do not have to be labeled. They also say there is no limit on the number of bottles a traveler may take in the required quart-sized plastic bag. Sep 29, 2006

EU may adopt rules restricting liquids next week. The European Commission may restrict how much liquid travelers from European Union countries may take on commercial jetliners. The EC next week is likely to approve and adopt the new rules, which limit liquids to 100ml containers that must fit into a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag. Sep 28, 2006

Registered Traveler expected to be running by November. The national Registered Traveler program will be up and running before the November holiday rush, though at a new, higher price. An estimated 10,000 people are members of the Registered Traveler pilot program, which was tested at Orlando International Airport. Online registration is under way for airports in San Jose, Calif.; Indianapolis, and Cincinnati, as well as Terminal 7 of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. The cost for yearly access will increase $20 to $99.95. Sep 28, 2006

Runway investments pay off for FAA. Twelve new runways have opened at major airports since summer 2000. Kate Lang, FAA acting associate administrator for airports, says the runways can accommodate 1.6 million more annual operations and reduce average delays at the 12 airports by five minutes. Sep 27, 2006

Screeners, travelers adjust to relaxed rules on liquids. Travelers on Tuesday adjusted to the first day of new rules allowing small amounts of liquids and gels in their carry-on bags. Airport security screeners examine the liquids and gels, which must be in containers of 3 ounces or less and fit in a single clear one-quart, plastic, zip-top bag. The new rules increased wait times at some large airports, Transportation Security Administration officials said. Sep 27, 2006

TSA should reinstate ban on liquids. The Transportation Security Administration should continue banning all liquids and gels, The New York Times editorial board writes. The board says the relaxed rules could be an effort to placate airlines concerned about lost revenue, and it noted that terrorists could still combine liquids after passing through security checkpoints.

Sep 27, 2006

Airlines support TSA security refinements for carry-on items: The Air Transport Association supports the Transportation Security Administration's security refinements regarding carry-on items: "It is clear that TSA has performed deliberate and careful risk analysis to identify which items passengers can safely bring onboard," says ATA President and CEO James C. May. "ATA supports TSA's refinement of banned items, both because of TSA's security assessment and because it will reduce passenger inconvenience." Read Statement. Sep 26, 2006

Relaxing liquid ban is a good first step. The Transportation Security Administration on Monday eased its ban on liquids aboard airplanes and will allow travelers to take small bottles of shampoo and tubes of toothpaste, the Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney writes. Airlines saw softer passenger traffic in August after the liquids ban went into effect Aug. 10. Sep 26, 2006

U.S. travelers allowed to board planes with most liquids. The Transportation Security Administration will allow fliers to carry toiletries of 3 ounces or less if they fit comfortably in one-quart, clear plastic, zip-top bags. "What you see here today is the prudent balancing of the work that we need to do to protect security and common sense," says Michael Jackson, deputy secretary of the Homeland Security Department. James C. May, president and CEO of the Air Transport Association, says the changes "put into place a security regimen that is consistent with the threat." Airports in Canada are also adopting the new policy. Read TSA's press release. Sep 26, 2006

New anti-terrorism rules require children to have passports. Children under 16 will need passports to return by air to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean or Canada starting Jan. 8. The Customs and Border Protection Agency says the new anti-terrorism rule will affect 22 million travelers, including 557,000 children. Sep 25, 2006

TSA lowers Registered Traveler fee to $30. The Transportation Security Administration now expects to charge fliers $30 to participate in the Registered Traveler program, down from the $100 it originally estimated. That charge is in addition to fees charged by private companies operating the program, which are likely to be $80-$100. The TSA lowered the fee "based on further analysis and public feedback," a spokeswoman says. Sep 25, 2006

U.S. will relax carry-on rules, official says. The U.S. will allow travelers to take some liquids and gels purchased in secure airport areas on planes, a Homeland Security official says, speaking on condition on anonymity. No official announcement has been made. Sep 25, 2006

Bmi

Bmi is testing a security line reserved for its own passengers at London Heathrow, CEO Nigel Turner confirmed. The trial started some months ago and was suspended temporarily following the Aug. 10 security alert. The bmi-only line is located in Terminal 1 and aims to speed up the lengthy waiting times passengers face to get through LHR's security. "Heathrow needs to improve its transfer product if it wants to maintain its lead position in Europe," said Turner, who also would like to see "an end to airports behaving in a monopolistic manner. We need more competition [between airports] in London and in Scotland as well. I'm confident this will come." The Aug.10 alert cost bmi some [pounds sterling]5 million, although Turner said it also had a positive effect: "It brought the airlines and the airport operator closer, for once." Sep 28, 2006

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Editor: Aram Gesar, eMail: [e-mail]

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Sep 25, 2006