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Before we even get into the details, let me give you one essential and simple piece of advice: Calm down. It's not the flight attendant's fault. Nor is it the fault of the ticket agent, the [insert unflattering adjective here] TSA guard at the screening point, or the fault of any number of folks you'll interact with on your path between your door and your destination. After all, a guy tried to blow up a plane. And while the government's response may seem totally absurd -- let's face it, a lot of this stuff is totally ridiculous -- that's TSA policy from above you're looking at and loosing your $#!^ with the harried screener is helping no one. So again, calm down.
Props to a few people for tracking the information travelers can use. Quick, follow @elliottdotog, @heather_poole, and @flyawaycafe on Twitter for the consumer and flight attendant side of what's happening. They've been posting great links and up to date information about both how things are going on board and what's happening with regulations. @jaunted has been posting good links as they come up, too. These folks are considerably speedier than the TSA itself at providing useful news for travelers.
If you're flying in the immediate future read these links now:
- Strict new rules for airline passengers
- TSA orders pat-down of all passengers during boarding
- If I were traveling tomorrow
- New restrictions quickly added for air passengers
- TSA Guidance for Passengers on Heightened Security Measures in Place Following Dec. 25 Incident
Also, though it may seem fruitless at times, always always always check both the airlines website and the TSA website for updates before you leave your house. I do this every time I hop a flight, no joke, and you should to. It will take you ten minutes, tops, and can save you tremendous hassle, later. Do it. Trust me on this. Check in online, too, it will save you time that you might otherwise need for standing in the screening line.
And then, remember that first thing I told you? Calm down. Word from the Twitter travelers is that domestic flights are still fairly easy going, and I heard a few first person reports of sailing through security as though nothing had changed. Your biggest hassles, it appears, will be if you're flying inbound to the US. International travelers sound crabby, indeed, but things seem to be settling into a more sensible response, now that the initial panic has passed.
If you have a little bit more time, read these links:
- The New, Terrifying, No-Electronics US Flight Security Rules
- MUST READ! The Maddening Stupidity of the TSA Security Burlesque
- Security theatre and what might actually make air travel safer
Keep in mind that things are going to change -- today's rules may not be in place tomorrow, new seemingly comic procedures are surely on their way, as, hopefully, are some sensible ones.
I honestly wish I could tell you that the links I've posted tell you all you need to know, but it's not so, you'll need to make the effort to stay informed if you're flying. Most of all, you'll need to follow this excellent piece of advice:
The biggest piece of advice I’d give to travelers is to roll with the punches for awhile. Curb your impatience, frustration, and anger. We’ll all get through this together, and while there will be annoyances (maybe even a lot of annoyances), we will persevere and come out the other side of it.
I am stubbornly committed to travel, and I refuse to let anyone or anything take that away from me. Who’s with me on that? -- Traveling with MJ
Nerd's Eye View
@nerdseyeview
