Results tagged “transportationsecurityadministration”

It's no secret that Chicagoist is interested in global politics. In the wold-wide checkerboard of cities, we love knowing that our little City by the Lake is quickly becoming a global destination, for business, people, education, and life. That's why our ears perk up a little bit when some national or international figure pays us a visit; even more so when Chicago is used as a platform for some sort of important announcement or drama....

Just in time for the holidays, O’Hare Airport announced a plan that will no longer require travelers to think ahead. Anyone who carries banned liquids or gels to the airport now has the option of mailing the items to an address or leaving them at the O’Hare Hilton. It costs ten bucks to leave your hair gel at the Hilton and $14 to send it home or to your destination via the U.S. Mail. What...

The Transportation Security Administration adjusted its carry-on rules yesterday, allowing passengers to carry up to 4 ounces of liquid nonprescription medicine and solid lipsticks. Many substances remain on the banned list.

While planes are managing to stay on the runaway this week, problems of a less frightening and more mundane sort are starting to pile up at Chicago's airports as the holiday travel season begins.

If you'd planned on executing your brilliant in-flight shoe-bombing scheme this weekend, be sure to bring a book of safety matches and leave the lighter at home. Starting today, lighters are prohibited from entering a plane's cabin. We know, we know, sometimes those booked matches can be a bitch to keep lit, but don't worry, you're allowed to bring FOUR BOOKS.

So the shit hit the fan yesterday around 7:00 p.m. at Midway Airport. A TSA bag screener saw what he thought was an explosive in one air traveler's bag. The agent then wanted to re-screen it, but the passenger had grabbed his bag and entered the terminal.

Increased airport security measures for humans are fine and dandy, but what’s being done about terrorists of the avian variety? We'll tell you. Nothing! It’s so typical of a government that refuses to think outside the box in this new type of war. Al Qaeda will not strike the same way twice. That goose ran itself into that plane’s jet engine pretty easily. What’s next you ask? Not bombing the El, not remote control helicopters, not crop-dusting the nation with anthrax--it’s bomb strapped birds. We Americans have been oppressing birds for far too long. They are willing Qaeda recruits ready to die for the cause. Shit. We better call Tom Ridge. (Thanks Sam!)