Transit through Iceland - hassle

[SimonSays]

OK, after going through all the major security exiting JFK (shoes off, computer out, give up Bic lighter, bottle of water) you get on the plane. Think your hassles are over? Not if you are transiting through Iceland they aren’t.

Upon exiting the plane, you must wait in line. Everyone’s hand luggage, which has just been on a plane, is subjected to scanning. Computers, which have just been on the plane, must be presented. Drinks, which have been bought on the plane (after previous drinks were confiscated at JFK) must be handed over. Remember, this 30-minute wait happens immediately upon exiting the plane, before EEA customs.

After JFK security, there is absolutely no way that any of the stuff they are so carefully checking could be a bomb or a weapon. And why on earth would any terrorist be trying to smuggle a bomb OFF a US-originating plane into Iceland, of all places?

This is the second time this has happened to me, and I couldn’t resist asking a Icelandic official why we had to queue for this rigorous check when there was no way anyone could be carrying anything remotely illegal. “The reason is because it’s the rules” he replied.

Next time I am tempted to pay the extra 200 dollars and fly direct.

[Susie]

Hi

Are they completley mad? or maybe they suspect the cabin crew of passing a bomb to you to take off the plane? makes no sense at all and no wonder the airport taxes are so high


Ice Air used to put on a trip to a blue lagoon, did they offer you that trip and if so was it free of charge?

[SimonSays]

Hi. I can't figure it out either. Something about "entering the EU". But it seems crazy.

The best thing about Icelandair is it is cheap to get to mainland Europe from JFK, BWI and Boston. I rarely pay more than $750 for a return trip. It's possible to have a stopover in Iceland, but there are no freebies , and quite frankly the airport hassle would put anyone off staying any longer than necessary!

[Grumpy]

madness, absolute madness

[anniefromessex]

Paranoid or what. This used to happen at OIA - as soon as you picked up your luggage off the plane just after the rigors of immigration, they would then make you put your luggage back on a x-ray machine, Christ you had just picked it up off a plane. Wait for it, you then had to hand it back in but after a long walk you then had to be subjected to another search, ie hand luggage. That has stopped now thank God, but now they put up barriers so you go directly to the train - these people are so afraid of their own shadows it is unbelievable. How would they have dealt with the threat of Ireland all the years we had to deal with it - they would have been quivering wrecks - it is laughable really. And people still want to live here?!!!!!!! Oh, by the way, they were the ones supplying arms to the Irish!!

Love Anniexxx

[InnVic]

I know its crazy...we flew to Phoenix. Left lighters at home and took a BOX of matches for the pre flight ciggie.....at the security check in we handed over the box but were told that if we'd brought a BOOK of matches that would have been okay...so what?... you can't light your shoe bomb with a match from a book but you could from a box??? Can anyone explain this??

[anniefromessex]

Brains up their proverbial!!

Love Anniexx

[byjove]

Had a friend last year, went through all the checks. When on board the AA plane to UK bought some face cream duty free. Got to Gatwick, to get her conecting plane to Yorkshire. Face cream was found, confiscated and she was arrested! In Gatwick!!!!!!! She JUST made her connecting flight back home. I mean COME ON! It was bought ON THE PLANE!!!!! So unless American Airlines are selling ready made bombs, I fail to see why she was arrested.

[anniefromessex]

The whole world is going mad. As always though it is the innocent who suffer for the bad apples. I remember Ted and my Dad used to have season tickets to West Ham (avid supporters), they would leave home in plenty of time to go into a pub once they got there, only for 1 pint, but because of the yobs they closed the pubs - guess who suffers again - the innocent!!!! I think its about time everybody took a stand against these people who spoil it for the masses, but because of the do gooders in the world you are not allowed to do anything to these people, they put it down to potty training or whatever, give them a slap on the wrist and then send them on their merry way to cause more mayhem!!

Love Anniexxx

[byjove]

Its more like not being breast fed turned 'em into big t##'s.

heheheheh

[tillyberry13]

hi it crazy