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The New Normal

I am going through electronics withdrawal.  I'm sitting among the masses at London's Heathrow Airport, waiting for a hopelessly delayed flight back to New York, clutching my shiny plastic bags with the few things not deemed "security threats." In my case that amounts to reading glasses, my passport, wallet and boarding pass.  They wouldn't even allow us so much as a piece of paper, and pencil.  Not even a book.

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To London, via Paris and a train

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.

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Patience is a traveling virtue

As of 7:30 a.m. ET, the security lines at New York's JFK airport are pretty unreal. While on the AirTrain to JFK, we passed JetBlue's Terminal 6, which had AT LEAST 1,500-2,000 passengers standing OUTSIDE to get into the terminal. To me, it was a sight reminiscent of crowds outside of the New Orleans Superdome after Katrina.

At American Airlines' Terminal 9, where I am currently standing in line for a 10 a.m. flight to Los Angeles, the security line numbers in the hundreds. Luckily, they are dividing it in two -- people scheduled to fly out within the hour and another line for the rest of us (so much for getting here early). Check-in lines are also in the hundreds.

This is certainly a traveling day I'll never forget. Hopefully, I'll make it to my destination today. Thankfully, Starbucks, the BlackBerry and a good book will help the time go by! My first stop in Los Angeles -- the local drug store -- to stock up on the essentials I had to leave behind.

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Why did I hide my sunscreen?

It's been an eventful day -- both in the air and, it would seem, here in the blogosphere, as my morning observations have triggered some interesting responses. I can't address them all, but for those who believe I am whining or worse, helping the terrorists, a few thoughts. My experience at JFK transpired very early this morning, before much was known about the new luggage restrictions. The frustration I and many others witnessed at security grew out of the fact that by the time most people were apprised of the restriction, it was too late to put the problematic items in their checked luggage. As the morning wore on, it became far more efficient, and I'm guessing, there ceased to be battles over such things as baby formula. But that is indeed what was happening early this morning, as passengers and security officials alike got a grip on this new reality. And a note about your blogger -- I fly for work often, and understand and appreciate the work that goes into getting all of us where we need to go safely. But having had a piece of checked luggage stolen very recently, I'm also well aware of the many pitfalls of air travel. The thought of losing still more of my belongings at an airport was difficult to take, I realize perhaps not in the grand scheme of things, but nevertheless, that's why I tried to hide the sunscreen. In any case, this situation is our collective new reality.

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THURSDAY'S LAST WORD

Editor's note: This is how Brian ended Thursday's broadcast from London. I've included the transcript here in case you missed it.

After signing off the air Wednesday night, I boarded a commercial jetliner with my family for a flight across the Atlantic. We arrived in another country -- and we arrived in a new era. In the time it took to cross the ocean, times... had changed. Flying with liquids is no longer allowed, because, however perverse a notion this is: someone has figured out a new way to take down a commercial jetliner. 

After saving up their money for months, Americans got on jetliners today to head off on summer vacation with their children. Some were told it would mean going without milk, juice, water, even possibly baby formula... or a way to entertain a two-year-old. Some waited all DAY for the privilege of flying on commercial jetliners even after learning they are still savory and sought-after flying targets.

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AS I WAS SAYING...

I boarded an aircraft last night for a flight across the Atlantic and a summer vacation with my family. I arrived this morning in another era entirely. Today's news has already had a staggering effect on air travel. As a writer to our blog put it today, "flying naked without luggage" may not be enough to solve this problem. I do know from our perspective here in London, and from conversations with Americans today, that this has increased the already-palpable sense of sadness and unease about our world, the dangers that surround us, and the challenges we will leave to our children. Some people I know are dealing with what can only be called dread.

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ORANGE ALERT AT O'HARE

Along Chicago's Kennedy Expressway, still miles from O'Hare Airport, signs that usually warn of traffic accidents and weather delays are now flashing unlikely advisories about hair gel and lotion. And it's impossible to miss the "Orange Alert" sign in red letters at the airport's entrance.

O'Hare is always busy, but the fog blanketing the city was, or course, just part of the reason for the delays. Two hours was not uncommon. By mid-afternoon, the large bins set out near security checkpoints for as-of-today not allowed water bottles and lip gloss were no longer overflowing, as they had been earlier. Alert travelers packed those in their checked luggage. Bags awaiting screening by the TSA often outnumbered passengers.

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Calm frustration in Atlanta

At the world's busiest airport for passengers, Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta, the morning rush was a mess, with delays stretching beyond two hours. But things quickly improved, as word spread about what could and could not be taken beyond the security checkpoint.

We have seen minimal flight delays, and people seem to be taking all of this largely in stride. Two women we encountered literally spent five minutes pulling one container after another of sunscreen, hand sanitizer, hair gel, perfume, contact lens bottles, shampoos, conditioners out of their bags -- all of which they tossed in the garbage -- smiling as they went along. I asked them how much money they were tossing away. "25 to 30 bucks!"

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The view from the nation's capital

Here in Washington, D.C., tens of thousands of people showed up at Reagan National Airport this morning... many in flip flops and summer-wear, preparing for a plane ride to a much-anticipated summer vacation... only to be met by some of the longest security lines since 9/11.

TSA officers and agents made their way through the security lines, passing out flyers advising passengers of the new rules. No liquids means no Starbucks, no sodas, no toothpaste, hair gel, shampoo, even suntan lotion.

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Understanding at Heathrow

One of the things that we are discovering here at Heathrow Airport is that people are now being informed that there is going to be a new norm when you go to the airport. We thought that was already the case after 9/11, but today marks the beginning of another new reality people are going to have to get accustomed to when traveling. 

Here at Heathrow Airport, Europe’s largest airport, passengers are being told that they can only carry things on-board that can be seen through a see-through plastic bag. That means just the essentials like travel documents, passports, tickets. That does not include cell phones, laptops, or any electronic equipment at all.

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