Canada Loosens Liquid Ban - But Only Past Security

The Sept. 22 issue (subscribers only) of Aviation Daily has my story about how Transport Canada has loosened the liquids ban past security.  It means that non-duty-free retailers located past security can now sell their liquid goods to passengers on all flights except to the United States. 

Transport Canada felt it was important to balance the needs of passengers and airport retailers with the government's security needs and saw this as a good compromise.  Good for them.  Now the U.K. has eased its travel restrictions and passengers can again carry larger bags on to planes, according to The Independent.  But the ban on all but essential liquids in hand luggage will continue, and passengers will still be able to carry on only one bag.

However, U.S. airport retailers continue to suffer under the ban of all liquids on flights.  I was in San Antonio visiting the parents last month and I always buy hot sauce from the Hot Sauce lady near Continental's gates.  I knew the ban was in place so I bought on the way out.  I asked her how long she'd be able to keep her liquid goods -- including hot sauce, BBQ sauce and jellies -- on the shelf before either replacing them with non-banned goods or even shutting down altogether.  She said after about two months, she would have to replace the merchandise.  And I don't even want to think what's happening to my favorite Bath & Body Works store in Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

I'm all for security, but I've said it before and I'll say it again -- the terrorists have moved past liquids and are looking for the next weapon.  So I fail to see why passengers, vendors and airport workers should continue to suffer.  There has to be some sort of balance that can be reached, and it looks to me like Transport Canada is doing just that and the U.K. is moving in that direction.