U.S.-bound passengers cope with airport delays

[depakid]

Source: LA Times

Air passengers headed to the United States from Canada, Europe and elsewhere faced hours of delay Sunday because of tightened security imposed after a Nigerian man allegedly tried to bomb a Northwest Airlines flight headed from Amsterdam to Detroit. The new security measures varied, but at many airports, travelers flying to the U.S. were limited to one carry-on and were subject to pat-downs or last-minute bag screenings at the gate. Once on the plane, many were told to stay in their seats for the last hour of the flight.

Among the affected airports:

* Pearson International, Toronto: Travelers faced huge lines and "absolute bedlam" Sunday, the Toronto Star reported. Some U.S.-bound flights at Canada's busiest airport were delayed four hours or more, partly because of the new carry-on limit, the Canadian Press reported. "Most of the delays are occurring -- or some of the delays are occurring -- because passengers come to the airport and . . . they're having to shuffle their baggage around," said Trish Krale of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, the Canadian news service reported.

* Vancouver International: The airport's website, which reported flight delays, said U.S.-bound passengers could expect to "undergo a personal search and have all of their personal belongings examined"; be limited to one carry-on bag; and face some delays "as the additional screening does take more time."

* Heathrow, London: The Times of London reported "chaos at Heathrow and other British airports with delays reaching up to five hours." On its website, Heathrow, one of the world's biggest airports, advised travelers to limit carry-on luggage, arrive promptly and call their airlines for additional advice.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-na-airports28-2009dec28,0,5103883.story

[clear eye]

1. And why didn't they simply bring in chemical "puffer" detectors for all to walk thru?

Time to ratchet up the fear for just the reason you advocated. Mind telling me why this is a good thing?