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The idiocy from airlines about restrictions on what is and is not allowed onboard keeps getting more and more absurd: nail clippers = dangerous object??
What about the alcohol bottles bought after checkin in approved taxfree shops? They are still allowed, and they are more dangerous than any set of nail clippers I would say. Just think about how easy it is to blind someone with 40% alcohol (up to 70% ABV is allowed according to the Swedish board of transportations). Not to mention the obvious possibility to use the bottle as a blunt weapon (with or without the contents) or a cutting weapon by simply crushing the bottle?
Anyone can see these holes in the rules, but most simply ignores them, or at least pretend there are no inconsistencies. The 100 ml maximum for liquids in hand luggage is just silly, when a bottle originally containing 150 ml but is obviously containing less than half its content is forbidden whereas the full 100 ml bottle that may or may not have been refilled with whatever is perfectly fine (random testing schemes will be extremely unlikely to catch anything dangerous).
Medicines are also fine in larger quantities if you can show a prescription or physicians note that you are allowed to carry it. Hypodermic needles are also allowed in this case. Anyone seeing the potentials here? I know at least a few very common medications that are routinely allowed onboard without much hesitation that are extremely dangerous if administered to someone that is not supposed to have them (e.g. insulin, adrenaline and so on).
When will the airlines realise that PEOPLE are more dangerous than any of the household appliances or hygiene articles they try to bring on their journeys?
I would not be surprised if very soon the time comes when they want to force people to be restrained throughout their flights so that they cannot harm anyone.
The seatbelt will in a few years be securely locked during the flight and only if you are in extreme need, the flight attendants may have some mercy and allow you to (of course wearing handcuffs and under gunpoint from the onboard safety officer) go to the loo.
Its true, used correctly, hands can be more deadly weapons than a nail clipper…
Can the world come to its senses again please?
1 Comment
Unfortunately, decision makers seem to have problems understanding concepts like unintended side-effects, proportionality between interests, and the possibility that a certain measure might actually be ineffective…
The last time I flew (domestically in Germany), my 120 ml, half-empty, tube of tooth paste was confiscated—while my almost full 500 ml bottle of contact-lense fluid was allowed! (The latter, apparently, being “medication”.) Guess how I would transport my explosives if I were a terrorist…
Comment by michaeleriksson March 19, 2010 @ 16:41