These days it is easier to find cheap traveloptions, such as cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages thanit is to reach universal agreement on what should and should not be allowed ona plane.
U.S. airlines recently announced that they would neverallow cell phones onboard. A recentsurvey on the matter found 59 percent of Americans were against cell phone usein the air. The reality is that mobilephones are starting to be used on planes in many foreign countries and cellphone use will most likely eventually be allowed on U.S. planes.
Not being able to take bottled water through securitycheckpoints is another sore point of many travelers. Some passengers believe that they should beable to bring their own factory sealed water bottles through screening stopsvs. having to purchase overpriced water at the other end.
The reality is that airport security very unevenly enforcesits own liquid and gel rules. Manytravelers report that they have been able to successfully sneak water and softdrinks through security.
The European Union is testing a liquid scanner that wouldallow passengers to carry drinks through its checkpoints. Experts believe that it is unlikely U.S.security will officially ease its liquid restrictions in the foreseeablefuture.
Many travelers cannot understand why pocket knives are notallowed on planes. Aircraft today arefilled with objects that can be just as dangerous, or more so than a pocketknife, including pens, knitting needles and cutlery.
Today American security prohibits knives in carry-onluggage except plastic or round bladed butter knives. In other parts of the world pocket knives areallowed and are not viewed as a threat to aviation safety.
Ironically last year the Transportation SecurityAdministration (TSA) announced that it would permit knives in carry-onbags. That position was quickly reversedin the face of flight attendants unions, consumer advocates, and lowenforcement officials objecting to the proposed rule change, claiming thatknives would make air travel less safe. Given that there is no evidence of this, pocket knives are expected toeventually be allowed on even American domestic flights.
Activities that many passengers find objectionable onplanes include such things as playing Grand Theft Auto on a digital devicewhile in the air and going on a virtual killing spree, or watching an R-ratedmovie.
The reality is that good manners cannot be ensured bybanning tablets, computers, or poorly behaving kids, any more than allowing cellphones, bottled water, or pocket knives on planes will make flying less safe.
The real solution, however unlikely it may be, is for eachpassenger to embrace a do onto others sensibility.
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