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I headed to London to report on the foiled terror plot on Thursday, but since there was so much uncertainty about which flights would be running and which wouldn’t, rather than risk it, I opted to fly from New York to Paris. It was pretty tight, because I had to make it in time to be on the "Today" show first thing this morning. My flight out of New York was at 5 p.m. EDT yesterday, but I was so concerned that I got to the airport by about 1:45.
I had no problem checking in and absolutely no wait at security. They did ask if I had any liquids or gels, and I said, "No." I was traveling with only carry-on luggage because of my time crunch. I didn’t bring deodorant, shaving cream or any of those kinds of things. I just left all of that stuff at home.
I landed in Paris and then rushed on a train from Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport to the Gard du Nord (the north Paris train station), to catch the Eurostar train. That’s the famous Channel Tunnel or "Chunnel" train that goes directly from Paris to London. It was about a 2 hour and 45 minute trip. On the train, I recognized some other people who had actually been on my flight from New York. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who was using this round-about method to get to London. The train was full and I could hear a few people on their cell phones talking about how they had been in this city or that city. If you're not flying, it’s really one of the only ways to get from the European continent to London.
An added benefit is that the Eurostar train is quite comfortable. It passes through a lot of the French and English countryside and drops passengers off directly at the Waterloo station in the center of London. And it was right on time, which was good for me.
One of the first things I did once I got here, right before I went on live on the Today Show, was to go and buy all of the toiletries like shaving cream and shampoo that I'd left back in New York. And of course I’ll have to leave it all here in London before I go home! A little bit of a pain, but a small price to avoid getting blown out of the air.
London seems strangely normal. I was in London on a personal trip about four or five weeks ago. So that was my benchmark. Just driving through and walking around a little, it’s very similar. Tourists are out and about enjoying the day and taking pictures of Big Ben and the other usual spots. There is the usual high security outside of government buildings and Scotland Yard, but that’s what you’d normally see. There has been nothing that I’ve seen here that spoke to anything unusual.
I think the airports are where the story is. And even today, I understand it’s better because people know what to expect. Yesterday everyone was caught unaware.
Read more from Airport dispatches, Lester Holt
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Of wine and war
Please leave Mr Holt alone.
Lester Holt fan (Sent Aug 14, 2006 5:41:11 PM)
every HOTEL in america toothpaste, shampoo and lotions available for free. This is getting absolutely ridiculous. To the lady raising a family on 30 G's a year, who doesnt think she can afford toothpaste when she leaves town if she can't bring it. You can purchase all the items you need for out of town from any walmart, and there are walmarts every where there are cities with streets for less than five bucks. I did it last night. when my luggage got delayed. The reasoning keeps you safer, its not that hard of an issue to understand. All this discussion about civil liberties, and the US becoming a TOTALITARIAN state make me laugh harder than Larry the Cable guy. Do you wanna be safe ? I do, and it sure as hell is worth an extra five bucks on the other side of my flight.
Thomas Jefferson Pierce Round Lake Beach, Illinois (Sent Aug 11, 2006 6:07:01 PM)
It's interesting to me how many of these comments boil down to the different perspectives between those who have and those who have not as much. Amid all the emotions of fear and dread about the terror plot itself, there's this nagging undercurrent of discontent with A) the waste involved in tossing toiletries, expensive or not, and B) the fact that some people can and do spend so much on these items. I do wonder about reaction in the developing world to news reports showing American women expressing anguish about throwing away makeup that costs enough to feed a family of four for a week. It's a small issue in the grand scheme of things, but a nagging one nonetheless.
Joyce West, Lexington, Ky. (Sent Aug 11, 2006 5:55:04 PM)
I'm with Bklyn, NY on throwing out or not bringing and buying new toothpaste.
I'm raising a family on less than $30000 a year. Going on a vacation taking planning and skimping for at least 6 months.
If I put shampoo, sunblock, toothpaste in the check-in bag then something else comes out. There is so much carry on you can carry when you have to carry a baby, also.
For you $50 may be pocket change, for me it's another month of saving or even getting out of the city for a week.
(Sent Aug 11, 2006 4:49:10 PM)
I'd sure like to know how I can carry 32 different medications ,plus needles shrings all in their own bottles? I have meds. enough for 2 weeks plus a vidio camera that I plan to carry on in cases. They probably won't let me on the aircraft with my 2 carry ons.
George Stanfield (Sent Aug 11, 2006 4:20:26 PM)
Folks, just check your luggage and you can take all the shampoo, toothpaste, lotions you can fit. For convenience purposes Lester Holt didn't check his luggage, it was carry on. Quite honestly I don't know of too many people who require shampoo and hair conditioner during a flight.
Yes nobody really wants to have to change their ways but if these changes can help keep us ALIVE then I think it's really a small sacrifice.
Amanda, Ridgewood, NJ (Sent Aug 11, 2006 3:39:20 PM)
My financial situation and having to " stretch a dollar" are hardly the issue..... I enjoy travelling with my children very much and My objection is to idiotic scare tactics being used on everyone at the moment. I am a middle class citizen trying to enjoy a well earned and well planned vacation to " the max". As we are always told " go about your life" hard to do when it keeps getting disrupted.....
bklyn, ny (Sent Aug 11, 2006 2:32:10 PM)
To Bkly, NY (Sent Aug 11,'06 1:16:14 PM)
The whole difference between you and Mr. Holt, is how you think and act!
If you think and act, like someone who needs to stretch a dollar, you always will!
Those of us who are the oppisite of you are enjoying life and what it has to offer at the MAX!!!
Terrence, Charlotte, NC (Sent Aug 11, 2006 2:19:28 PM)
Pensacola, You should be angry to throw out your toiletries because of the lunacy of it all.. Its an over reaction and blown out proportion. All in the name of safety...... you are no safer with your shampoo or without........
(Sent Aug 11, 2006 2:15:14 PM)
Last year I visited London less than week after the tube/subway bombings and everything was seemingly normal, although you could feel a tighter security presence. I hate to say it, but their approach to security seems to be alot more effective, based on common sense and practicality, even if it isn't politically correct all the time. The other difference was they took and kept control while being professional and without losing their courtesy. Unlike the questionable knee-jerk "security" measures and people we've seen implemented here at home. On a side note, I also took that same Eurostar train to Paris and recommend it for anyone traveling over there. A fantastic trip.
Jason, San Diego, Ca (Sent Aug 11, 2006 2:10:23 PM)
Oh please, Mr. Holt is traveling for business. Give him a break. He is not trying to minimize the inconvenience just saying it isn't impossible. Yes, it is harder, but it will soon become just another cost of a vacation and I bet you see hotels starting to get into the business of providing these perks.
(Sent Aug 11, 2006 1:59:05 PM)
Thanks for the report, I am flying to paris and your remarks made me feel better
(Sent Aug 11, 2006 1:56:13 PM)
It amazes me that we do all these extra steps for "safety", but really, don't we ALWAYS have risk in life? Where is it written that "Thou Shalt Eliminate All Risk From One's Life and Travels."?
What's next? Fly naked after a cavity search? Where does it end?
I won't fly back to Frankfurt even to visit friends, because security there felt the need to touch me EVERYWHERE, leaving me in tears (adult survivor of abuse). I wrote the airport later, to find a "tough luck" policy was in effect - they didn't have alternate screening methods and didn't plan to start any, as "most people were happy with their security procedures as-is"
Guess I'll stay stateside and take the Greyhound for long trips. Sad, really.
Michele, Dayton, OH (Sent Aug 11, 2006 1:55:54 PM)
I'm angry too not because I have to discard toiletries but because there are people who plot and kill innocent people. Considering the alternative I'll be glad to discard these items. Thanks to everyone who thwarted their terrible plan!
Pensacola, FL (Sent Aug 11, 2006 1:52:38 PM)
Again, no offense to Mr.Holt at all, but again, Alot of us are not afforded the luxury of flying one place and then taking trains to another location and then off to purchase what i need, only to toss it out before returning. I take carefully planned and budgeted trips, and I would like my extra cash to go towards the occasional souvenier or fancy dinner, not toothpaste and sunblock. It sounds trivial, but we are a family of four and the amount of gear and products we travel with would cost a small fortune if we had to purchase it to use for a week and then discard it......
Bklyn, NY (Sent Aug 11, 2006 1:16:14 PM)
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