I had the misfortune to be on the other side of the country when all the crap hit the fan regarding possible terrorist bomb schemes on airplanes. So, I got to the airport early, took all the liquids out of my carry-on beforehand, and went thru security with minimum delays.
But then I noticed something - after going thru security, I had to wait 2 hours before I boarded my 1st flight that day. I heard the gate agents telling everyone that no liquids or gels were allowed. Same thing when I waited in the next airport (4 hr wait unfortunately - but that was a scheduling problem, not security). The gate agent told everyone that no liquids were allowed.
But the scary thing was, despite being in an area (after the security checks) where lots of restaurants were present, where almost everyone waiting for a plane was drinking something that could be bought in the eateries and shops in the gate area, DESPITE ALL THIS LIQUID NOT ONE PERSON WAS ACTUALLY CHECKED FOR LIQUIDS AS THEY ENTERED THE GATE TO BOARD THE PLANES!!!!!!! NOT A ONE!!!!
Seems to me it would have been easy for these assholes to hide a powder or even a gel on their person in plastic bags when they went through the security check before they entered the gate area. After that, and before they boarded their plane, they could have purchased a drink, went to the bathroom, mixed up their liquids, then hid it in their carryon luggage. NOBODY CHECKED THE LUGGAGE OR THE PASSENGERS BETWEEN THE TIME OF THE SECURITY CHECK AND THE TIME TO BOARD THE PLANES!!! All anyone did was say no liquids or gels were allowed.
So how is this for a solution: Make all the stores and shops that sell drinks in the gate area put the drinks in OPEN CONTAINERS. Short of that, the only way to minimize the risk would be to either ban drinks altogether or do another bag x-ray and body search right at the gate.
Scary stuff. I was glad to get home.
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