What Will The Airlines Do Next?

What Will The Airlines Do Next?

I began my travelling career in 1976 when jumbo jets were still something of a novelty and mention of a transatlantic trip turned one's friends a satisfying shade of envy green.

Security was less of an issue, being almost non-existent in some airports, even within Europe. We were never asked to remove our shoes or belts, and small amounts of change could be left in one's pockets without all hell breaking loose.

The definition of hand luggage was also subject to the loosest of interpretations. I used to carry on a bag packed for five days plus a pile of paperwork. Nobody queried it, and as the overhead locker closed - never mind that I was red in the face with the effort of getting it there - the crew were happy.

But in the early 80s something changed, security tightened up and coins in the pocket now brought the house down. Even standard fountain pens set the alarms off, and on one infamous occasion in Germany my credit card wallet made its presence known. The guard wielding the hand scanner couldn't believe it, neither could I, and as for what the long queue of people behind were thinking...enough said.

The 90s saw a clampdown on hand luggage - size, weight, too many wheels - you name it, the airlines checked it. No longer could I travel free and easy without those interminable waits at baggage claims. No longer could I sail straight through, smirking at the unfortunates clustered around the belt playing that game beloved of all travellers - 'I wonder if my luggage made it through this time'.

But since the beginning of the new millennium I have seen yet another set of changes inflicted upon the hapless traveller. Whilst airline security has tightened to the point of paranoia in the USA it has eased up in Europe. For example, on a recent trip to New York my wife and I were waved through the manual bag check even though we were carrying a sizeable backpack. And nobody ever inspects my laptop bag any more even though I regularly carry a plethora of electronic gadgetry.

The second change is an apparent repeal of the hand luggage restriction. Even on this flight from Frankfurt to London - where I'm tapping this piece into my PDA - I have seen wheelies levered into the overheads that would dwarf my old five day bag.

So what's next for the airborne public? Another carry on campaign? A rule requiring all travellers to strip naked and wear nothing but airline issue shell suits and cotton socks while they are on board? Your guess is as good as mine, but 10 Euros says they will!



	I began my travelling career in 1976 when jumbo jets were still something of a novelty and mention of a transatlantic trip turned one's friends a satisfying shade of envy green. Security was less of an issue, being almost non-existent in some airports, even within Europe. We were never asked to remove our shoes or belts, and small amounts of change could be left in one's pockets without all hell breaking loose. The definition of hand luggage was also subject to the loosest of interpretations. I used to carry on a bag packed for five days plus a pile of paperwork. Nobody queried it, and as the overhead locker closed - never mind that I was red in the face with the effort of getting it there - the crew were happy. But in the early 80s something changed, security tightened up and coins in the pocket now brought the house down. Even standard fountain pens set the alarms off, and on one infamous occasion in Germany my credit card wallet made its presence known. The guard wielding the hand scanner couldn't believe it, neither could I, and as for what the long queue of people behind were thinking...enough said. The 90s saw a clampdown on hand luggage - size, weight, too many wheels - you name it, the airlines checked it. No longer could I travel free and easy without those interminable waits at baggage claims. No longer could I sail straight through, smirking at the unfortunates clustered around the belt playing that game beloved of all travellers - 'I wonder if my luggage made it through this time'. But since the beginning of the new millennium I have seen yet another set of changes inflicted upon the hapless traveller. Whilst airline security has tightened to the point of paranoia in the USA it has eased up in Europe. For example, on a recent trip to New York my wife and I were waved through the manual bag check even though we were carrying a sizeable backpack. And nobody ever inspects my laptop bag any more even though I regularly carry a plethora of electronic gadgetry. The second change is an apparent repeal of the hand luggage restriction. Even on this flight from Frankfurt to London - where I'm tapping this piece into my PDA - I have seen wheelies levered into the overheads that would dwarf my old five day bag. So what's next for the airborne public? Another carry on campaign? A rule requiring all travellers to strip naked and wear nothing but airline issue shell suits and cotton socks while they are on board? Your guess is as good as mine, but 10 Euros says they will!