If you're flying to or from the UK, make sure your reader is charged!

[HarryT]

Darwin's law in action.

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I think Harry's right. The Telegraph is generally a reputable paper that, whilst probably leaning towards the right of the political spectrum, is considered relatively impartial.

I think you are being overly kind to the torygraph, while more reputable than the tabloids, in no way could it seriously be considered impartial.

[Crowl]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

The western states in the US are the largest. It takes awhile to get from one state to another. Borders from Seattle -- Canada (180 km), Oregon (280 km), Idaho (450 km) and California (780 km).

By comparison in about the same max distance you mention I could drive to the following from my home:

France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, Czech republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, San Marino, Monaco and Bosnia & Herzogovina.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

The western states in the US are the largest. It takes awhile to get from one state to another. Borders from Seattle -- Canada (180 km), Oregon (280 km), Idaho (450 km) and California (780 km).

I'd have to drive 1428 km to get to the nearest state border...

[Indio777]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

And how about an enema, while you're at it

Think that's what eschwartz may have meant by "purging." Guess that would mean TSA wouldn't have to perform body cavity searches, as some people have (sarcastically) suggested be considered.

[BelleZora]

Originally Posted by cromag

It's that whole "Live Free or Die" thing.

Yes, Montana had that same touching faith in the ability and willingness of people to make good choices in the absence of laws. Hence, the old daytime speeding law of "reasonable and proper'' was widely interpreted as wide open, and Montana highways brought to mind bowling alleys. In 1998 the Montana Supreme Court declared the law "unconstitutionally vague", reducing the blood bath.

I have my own sad "no seat belt" stories. The most recent: my nephew, a single father of three teenagers, was killed when he was thrown from his vehicle last September here in Colorado. Raising those lovely kids has become a family group effort by heartbroken people. Clearly, even laws are not enough to save us from ourselves.

HarryT is being wonderfully patient about this hijacking of his thread.

[Hampshire Nanny]

To bring the conversation back to flying, I find it amazing how often passengers near me resist wearing their seatbelts.

[Froide]

Originally Posted by Tarana

My Aunt just came from Central America a few weeks ago. Most airports have plenty of places to charge electronic devices. They have been asking random passengers to start up their devices before 9/11, so nothing new to her.

Well before 9/11, I frequently traveled by air domestically and among the NAFTA countries, Europe, and the Caribbean. For most short-duration trips, I packed lightly and used carry-ons exclusively. And most of the airports I frequented were major international hubs.

Though I traversed numerous airports, security at only one routinely pulled me aside, required me to empty my bags so their contents could be inspected, and had me turn on devices: Atlanta Hartsfield (ATL). In fact, ATL's security repeated that routine EVERY TIME I flew out of there (often multiple times per week, since one of my primary, year-long management consulting projects was based there, but other clients, the rest of my team, and significant people and R&R spots in my personal life were scattered worldwide).

I frequently asked (politely and genuinely curiously) why I was stopped each time. The usual answer: that information is classified. However, once, one security agent spilled the beans (though I don't think he was supposed to): my carry-ons included numerous corded items, which raised red flags.

(These were my corded items: two curling irons - each with a different barrel diameter, one blow dryer, one laptop with cord, one cellphone charger, and one supplementary battery pack.)

Since I came to expect the grande search, I learned to budget extra time to accommodate it. I appreciate and don't mind cooperating with airport security efforts, but my experience in ATL always begged the question: why didn't the red flags for ATL security trigger the same reaction at other airports?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Froide

(These were my corded items: two curling irons - each with a different barrel size, one blow dryer, one laptop with cord, one cellphone charger, and one supplementary battery pack.)

Sounds as if changing your hairstyle to one which didn't require two curling irons and a blow dryer might have resulted in a considerable time saving for you.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by Indio777

Think that's what eschwartz may have meant by "purging." Guess that would mean TSA wouldn't have to perform body cavity searches, as some people have (sarcastically) suggested be considered.

I was thinking eschwartz meant forced vomiting.... either way, it would make for some messy searching

[Froide]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Sounds as if changing your hairstyle to one which didn't require two curling irons and a blow dryer might have resulted in a considerable time saving for you.

You'd think so, but nope. Even on those occasions when my haircare devices were packed in checked luggage, I was stopped because the other corded devices triggered red flags.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Froide

You'd think so, but nope. Even on those occasions when my haircare devices were packed in checked luggage, I was stopped because the other corded devices triggered red flags.

I was thinking more of the time taken to "do your hair" than the time taken at the airport .

[Sil_liS]

Originally Posted by Hampshire Nanny

To bring the conversation back to flying, I find it amazing how often passengers near me resist wearing their seatbelts.

I always wondered about that as well. I was never on really long flights so I never needed to get out of my seat so it just makes sense to leave the seat belt fastened.

[Apache]

When I used to fly all the time I always left my seatbelt on when seated. It never interfered with my reading or movie watching and it helped with air pockets or rough weather.
Apache

[Indio777]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

And how about an enema, while you're at it

Originally Posted by 4691mls

I was thinking eschwartz meant forced vomiting.... either way, it would make for some messy searching

Oh, hadn't thought about that. Either way, would be rather messy.