Airlines: New rules keep passengers in seats

[metsfan]

By JOAN LOWY, Associated Press Writer – 19 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Some airlines were telling passengers on Saturday that new government security regulations prohibit them from leaving their seats beginning an hour before landing

The regulations are a response to a suspected terrorism incident on Christmas Day.

Air Canada said in a statement that new rules imposed by the Transportation Security Administration limit on-board activities by passengers and crew in U.S. airspace. The airline said that during the final hour of flight passengers must remain seated. They won't be allowed access to carryon baggage or to have any items on their laps.

Flight attendants on some domestic flights are informing passengers of similar rules. Passengers on a flight from New York to Tampa Saturday morning were also told they must remain in their seats and couldn't have items in their laps, including laptops and pillows.

The TSA declined to confirm the new restrictions.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement Saturday that passengers flying to the U.S. from overseas may notice extra security, but she said the measures "are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere."

A transportation security official speaking on condition of anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to speak publicly said passengers traveling internationally could see increased security screening at gates and when they check their bags, as well as additional measures on flights such as stowing carryons and personal items before the plane lands.

A Nigerian passenger on a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam allegedly attempted to start a fire as the plane prepared to land in Detroit on Friday, according to authorities. The incident has sparked a major international terrorism investigation.

Air Canada said it was limiting passengers to one carryon bag in response to a request from the U.S. and Canadian governments.

The airline advised U.S.-bound passengers to restrict their carryon item to "the absolute minimum" or to not carry any bag on board at all.

"Carriage of any carryon item will result in lengthy security delays for the customer," the airline said.

U.S.-bound flights on all airlines are experiencing significant delays, said Duncan Dee, Air Canada's executive vice president and chief operating officer.

A spokeswoman with Infraero, a Brazilian government agency that oversees airport infrastructure, said that airlines had been asked by federal authorities to add another layer of security for international flights originating in the country after the attempted attack in the U.S.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to discuss the matter, said that passengers would face an extra screening that would take place just before they boarded planes. She would give no more details, citing security concerns.

David Castelveter, a spokesman for the Air Transport Association, said the domestic airline industry has been in close coordination with the security administration since Friday's incident and there will be increased scrutiny of passengers. He declined to comment on whether new regulations have been put in place.

___

Associated Press writers Eileen Sullivan in Washington and Bradley Brooks in Rio de Janeiro contributed to this report.

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091226/ap_on_bi_ge/us_airline_attack_regulations

---------------------------------------

 

Great, now because of some retard people have to sit and do nothing for an hour. :mad::tdown:

[KTrainExp]

It would kind of suck if you had to go to the restroom during that hour.

[metsfan]

It would kind of suck if you had to go to the restroom during that hour.

 

Or need an insulin shot, or have back problems, or have a cramp, not to mention you need to move around to keep clots from forming during long flights...

 

I think if i ever go back to PR i'm going to train to miami & fly cape air from there.

 

- A

[RokuSix]

I don't think it's fair not to warn people about it. People should be able to move around the cabin right before the cutoff point to prevent emergencies.

[exseed]

because of one incident?! Wow, this is pretty ridiculous. Instead of implementing some stupid rule, they should fix the problem that lies at the real site of fault: the security checkpoint. What should be asked is this: how exactly did this guy get the device past security?!

[Shortline Bus]

because of one incident?! Wow, this is pretty ridiculous. Instead of implementing some stupid rule, they should fix the problem that lies at the real site of fault: the security checkpoint. What should be asked is this: how exactly did this guy get the device past security?!

 

 

imo the head of security at the amsterdam and detroit airports should have been immedately fired for this. if another incident like this happened soon after, then maybe this rule. still if someone needs to go to the bathroom in last hour of plane let me go.

[AgedPolaris]

It is just straight ridiculous that everyone has to suffer this crap because of one person's actions. These new "rules" are so useless, too. I can fully understand tightening up the checkpoints, but what is this supposed to solve?

 

It's going to turn into a situation where you can't game in-flight, can't watch a movie or listen to tunes in flight, and maybe not even read a book in flight. My girlfriend flew back to Dublin before Christmas to be with some of her older family, and is flying back in a few days with Aer Lingus, it will be interesting to see what she has to say about the changed rules. They actually go through US customs at the airport over there though, (odd, huh?) so it might be a different affair.