UK forces have foiled what they believe is a plot to bomb a flight headed to the US. (I have no doubt that is what they intended to do, but the old school journalist in me plays by the rules.)

As a result, extremely strict measures have been placed on airline passengers in the UK...much tougher than what we're seeing here.
Firstly, everyone is being hand searched, as are their carryons. And it shouldn't take too long to search those carryons, because you're not allowed to carry much of anything. And what you've got, has to go in a clear plastic bag.

No, your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. Can't carry much.
Here's the list:
Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets)

Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic

Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases

Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution

For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags)

Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes)

Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs

Keys (but no electrical key fobs). All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be X-ray screened.

Pushchairs and walking aids must be X-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate.

Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.

And they're doing gate checks too for flights to the US.

hmm. No mobile phones. No blackberry's. No computers. No Ipods. No dvd players. No books. No stacks of magazines. No cameras. All that has to go in checked baggage.

Over here, people be throwing fits over being separated from their goods. Can you imagine a businessman denied his cell? Your sister without her ipod?

I never check anything I'd hate to lose, including favorite leather jackets, or shoes. I've had stuff stolen from suitcases.

I'm afraid to check electronics...unfortunately, the odds are against ever seeing them again.