TOKYO — At least one U.S. domestic airline, Alaska Airlines (and corporate sibling Horizon), is advising passengers to just check all bags and avoid extra hassle at the security checkpoints.
Checkpoints?
Yep.
The TSA announced that random screenings at the gate will start today for all flights, not just those headed to Great Britain. The move harkens back to the post-Sept. 11, 2001 “random” security screenings that passengers endured at the gate before boarding flights.
“We recognize that many of our customers prefer to carry their luggage onboard,” said Steve Jarvis, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of sales and customer experience in a press release issued late Thursday night by the airline. “However, we also are striving to minimize flight delays. We plan to maintain our scheduled departure times as much as possible. Eliminating carry-ons by checking all baggage will help expedite the security process for all passengers and reduce the likelihood of missed flights.”
Meanwhile, the prohibition of all carry-on bags continues for travelers departing airports in the United Kingdom.
During a press conference Friday, the transportation minister confirmed that the emergency regulations on carry-on bags would continue until the threat had passed.
I don’t envy anyone stuck in cattle class without a laptop, iPod, PSP, or even a book or magazine for six or eight hours.
Since yesterday, I’ve read a number of online posts asking for information on rugged laptop cases that can go in the hold and keep the computer safe.
What’s next?
My planned return to the U.S. is a week from Saturday. I can’t imagine 14 hours in the air with just the ANA in-seat TV entertainment system to keep me occupied if I was forced to check my MacBook Pro and iPod and Nintendo DS Lite and…
It also makes me wonder if the current heightened security will accelerate the death knells of Connexion by Boeing.