Trans-Atlantic Flight Security

My recent experience taking a trans-Atlantic flight and dealing with security restrictions.

The liquids ban was in place during my flight from Helsinki, Finland to Frankfurt to Washington, DC on September 27, in response to the recently discovered terrorist plot to blow up airliners over the Atlantic. After checking my luggage in Helsinki I went through the normal security checkpoint before going to the gate. When I arrived in Frankfurt, I went through two separate security checkpoints before boarding my flight to DC. When someone behind me asked why we were going through two security checkpoints, the screener replied that the first security checkpoint screened according to European standards, while the second security checkpoint was screening according to the tighter US standards.

As I stood in line with my fellow passengers, the screener told us to throw away any liquids, creams, or lotions. Someone behind me asked if their packets of marmalade and Nutella were allowed on the plane. The answer was no, so they pitched their packets in the big plastic trash bins near the x-ray machines. Before leaving I had taken time to sort my toiletries and makeup that I usually pack in my carry on luggage, in case my checked bags don’t arrive on time at my destination. Recent reports show that the rate of mishandled or lost luggage increased by 25% in August after the liquids ban went into effect. I stood in line, thinking I had nothing to worry about. I had remembered to put my liquid foundation, face soap, hair gel, and even my saline solution in my checked bag.

After I my bag and I went through the x-ray machines, a screener opened my bag and made a beeline for my makeup case, throwing away two jars of concealer, two tubes of mascara, and some lip gloss. I watched her pitch $100 of makeup while kicking myself for not packing my entire makeup case in my checked luggage.

The extra time in takes to go through tighter security and my lost makeup are only minor, unimportant inconveniences in the name of (hopefully) safety. I must say that throwing away marmelade and makeup seems ridiculous and I hope that these checks are not a disctraction from actually detecting terrorist threats to airliners. I walked to the gate while hearing a TV in the background turned to CNN, blaring the news of the growing death toll from the latest terrorist insurgent attack on soldiers and civilians in Iraq. As I boarded the plane, I wondered if things will ever get better.