The failed airplane bombing attempt on Christmas Day 2009 has led to a number of new and more invasive security measures for airline travellers. Besides an overall heightened level of security at all airports throughout the world, a number of specific security measures have been put into place for international flights bound for the United States.
The biggest change is that passengers from certain high-risk countries are now begin targeted for special security treatment. The high-risk countries are Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Anyone traveling from or through one of these countries must be subjected to a more rigorous security screening that includes pat-downs and (where available) body scans. Carry-on items will be examined more closely and explosive detection technology will also be used wherever it is available.
Passengers facing enhanced security screening can expect much longer wait times to get into the boarding area of the airport and should arrive at the airport terminal two or three hours earlier than normal if they want to be sure to make their flight.
Even other passengers, however, will be affected by new security measures, thought those measures will vary from country to country. As of this writing, for example, it is Canadian airports that have imposed the toughest measures on travel to US destinations with a ban on most carry-on luggage, much to the consternation and exasperation of both business and pleasure travelers. European airports haven't imposed such a far-reaching ban, but they have taken definite steps to further screen passengers using both human and electronic means.
If you plan on flying to your destination, be sure to arrive at the airport early to check in and drop off your luggage. Then get into the security lineup as quickly as possible, because the closer it gets to your takeoff time, the more chance you'll miss your flight. Gone are the days when you could arrive at the terminal 30 minutes before a flight and still make it on board with five or ten minutes to spare. You just can't do that anymore, even if all you have is carry-on luggage.
Be sure to bring reading material or some other form of entertainment with you -- an iPod Touch is a great choice, since you can watch a movie or play a game with equal ease. You'll need to do something to pass the time after you make it through the security queue.
Remember, though, that these new security measures are in place to help you arrive safely at your destination, so don't complain about them. Queue times should decrease are more electronic safety measures are implemented. Travel in the second half of 2010 will be easier than it was at the beginning of the year, but don't expect security to be lax anytime soon. Expect delays and keep a positive attitude and you'll arrive safe and sound.
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