Delayed 24 Hours at CDG because of a Plastic Fork in Carry-On
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Delayed 24 Hours at CDG because of a Plastic Fork in Carry-On
Last week I had a tight connection in Paris. We were running through the airport to catch our flight. Of course, in the wonderful system they have there you have to go through security again even though you are just connecting.
French security became really concerned when a plastic fork showed up in my carry-on. After an exhaustive 10-minute search they confiscated a plastic fork like this:
http://www.rei.com/product/751962
Yes, that's as far as I know, all that they were concerned about, it is the only thing they confiscated. Anyone else had a plastic fork confiscated over there?
After the delay at security, we ran to catch our flight, but it was too late. You have to take a bus from the gate to actually board the plane - and though it was still at the gate, the doors were already closed. We were stuck in Paris for 24 hours because of this. Anyone know what's up with the grave concerns from French security about plastic forks? Incidently, we were given metal forks for our meals on the Air France flight.
French security became really concerned when a plastic fork showed up in my carry-on. After an exhaustive 10-minute search they confiscated a plastic fork like this:
http://www.rei.com/product/751962
Yes, that's as far as I know, all that they were concerned about, it is the only thing they confiscated. Anyone else had a plastic fork confiscated over there?
After the delay at security, we ran to catch our flight, but it was too late. You have to take a bus from the gate to actually board the plane - and though it was still at the gate, the doors were already closed. We were stuck in Paris for 24 hours because of this. Anyone know what's up with the grave concerns from French security about plastic forks? Incidently, we were given metal forks for our meals on the Air France flight.
#2
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The authorities have picked up "chatter" that some plastic forks are explosive. This is an al Qaeda plot to bring down 132 airliners simultaneously. Don't you want to be safe?
Bruce
Bruce
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
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I sorry this happened to you. I hope you made the best of the extra day in Paris.
The root cause of the problem was your tight connection. If you miss your flight because of a 10 minute delay (regardless of the reason why) then you it really is your fault. Next time have more time or be less unlucky.
The root cause of the problem was your tight connection. If you miss your flight because of a 10 minute delay (regardless of the reason why) then you it really is your fault. Next time have more time or be less unlucky.
#5
Suspended
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,953
I sorry this happened to you. I hope you made the best of the extra day in Paris.
The root cause of the problem was your tight connection. If you miss your flight because of a 10 minute delay (regardless of the reason why) then you it really is your fault. Next time have more time or be less unlucky.
The root cause of the problem was your tight connection. If you miss your flight because of a 10 minute delay (regardless of the reason why) then you it really is your fault. Next time have more time or be less unlucky.
Saying it's his fault is like saying it's the rape victim's fault because of the way she was dressed.
The problem is stupidity foisted upon travelers in the name of security.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Avoid CDG whenever possible, things are improving there but it's never going to be as simple to transfer as it is in AMS. Of course a tight connection in any airport is going to be a risk but any airport with a multi-terminal layout like CDG is going to take longer to transfer than a single terminal like AMS. Also at CDG for the moment there's a significant chance of being bussed as there's no enough capacity at the gates at AMS you're only likely to be bussed on KLM Cityhopper (regional jets and props - if your aircraft is a Fokker it's cityhopper) and a few other regional jet services. You'd be very unlucky not to get a stand on a 737 or bigger.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
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Excuse me, but you have no idea why the OP had a tight connection. Did you ever think that it could be because his first flight was delayed?
Saying it's his fault is like saying it's the rape victim's fault because of the way she was dressed.
The problem is stupidity foisted upon travelers in the name of security.
Saying it's his fault is like saying it's the rape victim's fault because of the way she was dressed.
The problem is stupidity foisted upon travelers in the name of security.
Again, a 10 minute delay happen at any airport for any of a bunch of reasons.
And you really need to think about what you reply before you click post. Comparing a flight delay to rape is offensive to many.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Posts: 2,578
Avoid CDG whenever possible, things are improving there but it's never going to be as simple to transfer as it is in AMS. Of course a tight connection in any airport is going to be a risk but any airport with a multi-terminal layout like CDG is going to take longer to transfer than a single terminal like AMS. Also at CDG for the moment there's a significant chance of being bussed as there's no enough capacity at the gates at AMS you're only likely to be bussed on KLM Cityhopper (regional jets and props - if your aircraft is a Fokker it's cityhopper) and a few other regional jet services. You'd be very unlucky not to get a stand on a 737 or bigger.
#11
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Even if the fork was metal, brass or made of kryptonite, I highly doubt anyone with a functioning brain would conclude it was a security risk - perhaps those poor silly screeners would have gone into cerebral meltdown if they know how many metal forks were scattered about the aircraft all around them, on the ground and in the air.
Oh, the horror!
#12
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,481
plastic is a bit misleading ... it was Lexan ... maybe they are giving more attention to sharp hard plastics (assuming they can they even distinguish on the xray)... just a guess
not saying they are right and not saying they are wrong ... but I probably won't be packing any sharp lexan objects in my carryon ...
not saying they are right and not saying they are wrong ... but I probably won't be packing any sharp lexan objects in my carryon ...
#13
Join Date: May 2005
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If hardness is a concern I would expect the TSA et al. to start confiscating diamonds.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,481
hope you didnt think I was trying to justify ... just making a wild speculative guess ... which is what airport security is all about these days, right?
In the end pretty much anything can be used as a weapon ... just ask Ricky Jay
http://www.amazon.com/Cards-As-Weapo.../dp/0446387568