See, I was Right: New Security Measures from the TSA

Lucky just blogged about a new travel advisory from Air Canada:

As a result of the added security precautions, passengers should also expect delayed and cancelled flights as well as missed connections. Air Canada will endeavour to transport passengers to their destination as quickly as possible and rebook passengers who miss their connections at no charge.

In addition, new rules imposed by Transport Canada will limit the amount of carry-on baggage to one item per person travelling on flights from Canada to the United States.

New rules imposed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration also limit on-board activities by customers and crew in U.S. airspace that may adversely impact on-board service. Among other things, during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.

As I said earlier today, it was only a matter of time before these "enhanced" security measures were implemented, because the U.S. government apparently feels it must "respond" to all threats in ways that are tangible to the flying public.

One carry-on? Remain seated for the last hour (like flying into DCA after 9/11)? Also no personal belonging on laps during the last hour? Just more psychological mind games to make the gullible among us feel safer.

Still no official word from the TSA, though there are some interesting tidbits in this New York Times blog:

Q: What kind of security did the Amsterdam airport have? 

A: According to the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Web site, the airport uses some of the most sophisticated security screening technology in the industry. Since 2007, passengers have been required to pass through the security scan, a telephone booth sized machine that produces an image of the body contours using millimeter wave reflection technology. According to the Web site, “the image will tell security staff immediately whether a passenger is carrying any prohibited items on his or her body.”

Airline officials say Amsterdam’s security is tight. Passengers who check in for international flights to the United States from connecting flights must be re-screened, and their baggage also must be re-screened. In addition, the airport conducts an interview process with each passenger.

If true, this confirms my notion that even with advanced security screening, people can still smuggle things onto a plane.

I am flying on Air Canada from Los Angeles to London via Vancouver on Monday and had planned to carry-on two bags. Even though the restrictions appear to be only for flights traveling to the United States, I have a feeling I will have to consolidate my bags or check one of them.