On Monday, October 28, 2002, at 11:08 AM, Trei, Peter wrote:
It's going to be interesting to see how airlines and other security narcs deal with fuel cells. The energy content of a small canister/container of the fuel can be high. Given that butane lighters are now banned...
Batteries are becoming the main drag on this stuff. Hopefully, fuel cells
will be available soon.
And if these fuel cells are banned on airlines, there goes 90% of the market. Tourists and business travelers just won't buy fuel cell-based laptops and camcorders if they can't carry them in airports, into Disneyland, in public buildings, etc.
I assume the developers of fuel cells (Motorola?) are thinking about this issue.
By the way, there are perfectly good fixes to the current hysteria about things carried on board planes. Besides the obvious absurdity of issuing alarms when fingernail clippers are found (but ignoring razor sharp edges in things like laptops with metal cases!), there are many fixes which can be applied:
1. Carry on bags allowed, but overhead bins locked by stewardesses. Underseat bags limited to small essentials needed on a flight. Whether laptops would be allowed to be used is a separate issue.
2. Or airlines could end carry-on bags and improve efficiency and security of checking baggage.
(Obviously, locking pilot compartment doors and installing small cameras is the best solution. The 9/11 attacks are unlikely to ever be repeated, for obvious reasons: notably, that prior to 9/11 the strategy was "always cooperate fully with hijackers." Things are now dramatically different.)
3. Separate passenger travel from cargo and luggage travel. In high risk areas, especially. Bags could be sent ahead, or travelers could travel very lightly and buy items at their destination.
4. Finally, market solutions are usually best. Any of the above could be implemented. If customers feel safer with a different baggage policy, they'll pick it. (Yes, I realize there's an externality regarding the seizure of an airplane to be used as a weapon against others. Even here, most of the "top down" directives have little causal connection with real security. They are "feel good" and "CYA" measures.)
--Tim May
""Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined." --Patrick Henry
