Flight woes
My brother is stranded in Turkey — his return flight to London cancelled — trying to get a flight to France and then cross the Channel by ferry or via the Channel Tunnel. Amid the seriousness of it all, I feel a little selfish worrying about this, but I wonder: will knitting on planes become a thing of the past? So far, I've been able to knit on board using circular needles, but it doesn't look good for knitters now. I really dislike travelling, the getting there and getting back part of it, and knitting or spinning have been the only way to make the long waits in airports and then the long flights bearable.
Comments
This crossed my mind this morning too. But it seems they just forbid carrying liquid on the plane ... not needles nor yarns. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Posted by: A | August 10, 2006 4:21 PM
I don't think you're the only one who started wondering about our knitting needles today. I got together with my knitting group, small numbers during the summer, but we were talking about it. Here's my thought - I find it difficult to be a passenger in a car without my needles. Can you imagine what it would be like without ANY carryon on a trans-Atlantic flight. I would go nuts.
I'm so sorry for your brother. And for all the other passengers. It's a very stressful time in travel again, but I personally would rather see the security we have rather than have another Sept 11. I pray your brother finds a safe way home soon and that you're reunited happily.
Posted by: Barbp | August 10, 2006 6:07 PM
I'm at Stitches Midwest right now, and everyone here is wondering the same thing! Especially since I make 13-hour flights between Japan and the Midwest a lot, this is important to me!
What I worry about more than knitting needles though is what they've done in Britain now--no carry-ons at all. But, then again, I really don't want to be on a plane that explodes over the ocean, so maybe the liquids ban isn't such a bad thing.
On another matter, I sent a SP package to you right before I left Japan, which I hope you get soon. The last one will be sent from the Midwest later in the month. Hope you're well!
Posted by: SP | August 11, 2006 2:57 AM
I'm afraid too that knitting is no longer a possibility in a plane. I flew on last Thursday and the only items that were allowed were traveling documents, wallets, milk for babies, prescribed medicines and all in see-through plastic bags but eg no asperins no candy no chewing gums --- nothing. In a way it felt good to be able to see what everyone was carrying since the situation was so bad. I read on the papers that some of these measures will be permanent.
Posted by: Lene | August 11, 2006 10:34 PM
Hope your brother has made it back without too much stress. The current state of flights out from the UK is that the *only* belongings you can take onto the plane are travel documents, medication prescribed by a doctor/hospital, women can take on sanitary towels (napkins) but they have to be unwrapped and in clear plastic bags, the same for babies' nappies (diapers) and, yes, if parents take baby food/bottles for baby they have to eat/drink some to show that there is no risk. So no reading material, no toothbrush, no change of clothes, no pencils, no i-pod, let alone no knitting needles/crochet hooks. Good job I'm not planning to travel overseas this year! Seriously, though, better safe (if bored out of one's mind) than exterminated.
Posted by: la tricoteuese | August 12, 2006 1:03 PM
My German friends were headed home on Thursday. I sure hope that things get straightened out and that we'll be able to continue to knit while waiting and on flights. I don't think I could manage an 8 hour transport (prime knitting time) without my needles!
Posted by: Bobbi | August 13, 2006 8:20 AM