So tell me...is the TSA going to give me shit for my iPod

[Taverner]

I get that they don't want me bringing anything remotely liquid on the plane. Never mind that we are made up of mostly liquid, or if someone really wanted to take down an airliner, all they would need to do is pop the escape hatch open once they hit 10K feet...

But I've been hearing all this shit about "no carry ons" and what not. So will they let me have a cell phone, laptop and iPod on board? Can I still use them? Or will I have to watch "Everybody Loves Raymond" ad nauseum?

Also - how much time do I need to get to the airport in advance? 2 hours?? 3 hours?? 4 hours??

[eyesroll]

1. Electronics are stil allowed if you're flying a U.S. airline.

http://tsa-7.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/tsa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=254&p_created=1155227254&p_sid=VVgrLUei&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0xNiZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9JnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

As for advance time, it really depends on your airport. I've never, ever had it take longer than 45 minutes to get through security at MKE -- and I flew at 9 am the day the TSA took over at 7 am -- and they're recommending 90 minutes to 2 hours today.

[Taverner]

2. 90 minutes to 2 hours???

Fuck me...

Thing is, new job will require me travelling a lot.

I've never been worried about terrorists and I won't be now - I am, however worried about missing flights or going stir crazy, or worse dying from dehydration

[eyesroll]

8. I don't think you'd actually need the full 90 minutes at MKE

I've never come close to that...and even the 45 minutes was a fluke. You'll get to know your home airport's peak times and tricks.

Some airports are terrible, though -- getting through Nashville took me forever this spring.

[IsIt1984Yet]

3. They may scrutinize electronics more now.

They'll do that swab wipe thingie, maybe??

And time... I agree that it totally depends on airport. My brother, his wife and 2 toddlers got through security at O'Hare in 20 min yesterday. And, they were VERY concerned that it'd take far longer.

[Taverner]

4. Fun fun...O'Hare is one of the better designed airports IMHO

They put some serious planning behind that airport. SFO, on the other hand, not so much. Tho the absolute worst has to be Denver. Whoever thought trains to terminals was a good idea should be shot.

[IsIt1984Yet]

7. Yes, people complain a lot about O'Hare

But they're very efficient, IMHO.

I'm just glad that I don't travel much for work anymore, the 'crap-shoot' of the lines at security is a huge stress-factor. Good luck!

[Nailzberg]

11. O'Hare really operates well. It's the weather that makes it look bad,

I'm always hearing people bitch about travelling through O'Hare. ORD being my home airport, though, I've gotta say it's not the airport that causes the problems. I've never had a problem there that wasn't related to Chicago weather being the most tempermental and unpredicatable pain in the ass in the history of weather.

Take LAX in contrast. Perfect weather every day of the week, yet flying out of there is still an all-day affair.

[GOPisEvil]

5. TSA has no problem with personal electronics.

Look in your local paper for an AP article by Leslie Miller. It's got a nice list.

Now, if you're traveling British Airways or to Europe, just go naked. It's easier.

[GoneOffShore]

9. Air France has not prohibited laptops etc

And their web site states that the prohibition against liquids etc, will expire on 30 September 2006

[GOPisEvil]

10. Ah...since I'm flying domestic in less than a month, that's what I read.

I skimmed over the international rules. Thanks for the info.

[Mr. Blonde]

6. According to AA the restrictions are

if you are flying to or from the UK or connect in the UK. Otherwise it is the same as before.