Friday, August 11, 2006

Terrorist Liquidation

In its neverending quest to appear to be doing something to improve air travel security, instead of actually dealing with the problem, Transport Canada has decided to ban passengers from carrying any liquids on to commercial flights:

The following security measures are in place until further notice:

Effective immediately and for all flights to and from the United Kingdom and the United States, liquids or gels in containers of any size are not permitted to be brought onboard by passengers; this includes liquids or gels in carry-on baggage;

and

Effective 12 p.m. E.S.T. and for all other flights, including Canadian domestic flights, liquids or gels in containers of any size are not permitted to be brought onboard by passengers; this includes liquids or gels in carry-on baggage.
Liquids or gels in containers of any size include: all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Passengers may bring aboard baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is travelling. Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket, insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines are allowed.

Passengers should pack liquids or gels in checked baggage.


Would such a ban have foiled the British Muslim airline bomb plotters? Not in the least; they'd have just put their liquid explosive in their checked baggage and had it attached to a timed detonation device.

Will it foil any other terrorist plotters? Not at all; they'll just use other explosive devices that don't fall under the ban.

Will it needlessly inconvenience ordinary passengers? Absolutely.

When the next lot of plotters are caught with solid explosives, will all solid objects be banned from carry-on luggage?

Is there any evidence that these picayune bans have enhanced security instead of passenger aggravation?

When will those responsible for airline security start profiling passengers instead of potables?

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