TSA rules on Corona, by Bruce Schneier

Truly, a ridiculous restriction. I once flew from Tel Aviv to Frankfurt. Israeli security was tighter than anything I’ve ever seen, but bringing a 1 L water bottle on board was no problem. I think if there is one people in the world that knows better than anyone else what is important re security and what isn’t, then it’s the Israelis…

Three weeks ago I passed Heathrow security check with one litre bottle of water (it was half empty) in my backpack. Unintentionally (because I planned to throw it in the bin but forgot) but I passed and nobody asked anything; I realized that when I boarded the aircraft.

That’s prob99 because the security people are heavily exposed, have no way to shield themselves, and don’t want to catch it.

I generally haven’t taken liquids out of my carry-ons for quite a while, maybe a couple years, after noticing it had no effect at most airports. OTOH I think LHR has the most over-manned, poorly designed, brainless security theater in the world and I do follow the procedure there for fear of comically ridiculous hassles, which regrettably I have endured. I only fly through there because its cheap – those ‘in the know’ tend to avoid the place. I’m surprised LHR security would relent on any issue, however pointless.

(One time at LHR I was followed and persistently questioned by some flunky and his boss for no reason whatsoever except their boredom, after separately seeing a different passenger literally throw something at one of the security people in frustration)

Silvaire wrote:

OTOH I think LHR has the most over-manned, poorly designed, brainless security theater in the world and I do follow the procedure there for fear of comically ridiculous hassles,

I agree completely! I hate the place.

which regrettably I have endured.

So have I.

I only fly through there because its cheap – those ‘in the know’ tend to avoid the place.

I always try to go via Gatwick, but that’s not always possible.

‘Unfortunately’ for me there is a direct flight to LHR from my local airline hub, obviously with many connections elsewhere in Europe from there. And for reasons that I can imagine, less demand foremost among them, its typically $100-200 cheaper to go that way versus any other reasonable choice. My motorcycling buddies, who are generally wealthier than me, and possibly even grumpier refuse to go through LHR to Europe.

Gatwick is as bad. The security tossers are totally militant there. 100% removal of any liquids over 100ml container size. Also single men are body scanned, so you need your GF near you

Silvaire wrote:

generally haven’t taken liquids out of my carry-ons for quite a while, maybe a couple years, after noticing it had no effect at most airports. OTOH I think LHR has the most over-manned, poorly designed, brainless security theater in the world and I do follow the procedure there for fear of comically ridiculous hassles, which regrettably I have endured. I only fly through there because its cheap – those ‘in the know’ tend to avoid the place

Totally agree. LHR is a sh*thole and a disgrace in every respect, full of little jobsworths. I’m surprised, however by your comment about it being cheaper. IME it’s more expensive than most European hubs due to the stupidly high ‘passenger duty’. I had plans to fly to Spain next week and transiting through LHR would have been significantly more expensive than, say, FRA.

I avoid that place like the plague (or should that now be like Covid 19?)

Airborne_Again wrote:

So have I.

And I, with some self-important jobsworth running after me in the security queue to berate me.