New US flight security targets soda, hair gel

NEW YORK, Aug 10 (Reuters) Tossing out cans of soda and discarding mascara and hair gel, passengers at US airports today dealt with tight new security measures prompted by news of a foiled plot to bomb flights to the United States.

The US government raised the security alert on passenger planes to its highest level for the first time, invoking a red or ''severe'' threat level for commercial flights from Britain.

''I don't like flying on the best of days,'' said Sophie Bartholomew, 30, traveling with her 9-week-old daughter, Chloe, and her husband, Jason. She was allowed to take baby formula on board but was told by officials at New York's John F Kennedy Airport that one of the parents might have to taste it.

More police were visible patrolling JFK than usual, some carrying rifles or leading sniffer dogs.

The US Homeland Security Department barred passengers from carrying liquids, including drinks, hair gels and lotions, on planes after officials said the foiled plot involved a liquid chemical device.

''My initial reaction was kind of uncertainty but I figure today was the safest time to fly,'' said Shannon Miller, a 29-year-old teacher from Boston who was flying to London.

Abraham Levin, 18, also flying to London, discarded a can of Red Bull from his carry-on luggage. ''I trust this because it is American security. There are thousands of planes that fly every day so I'm not worried,'' he said.

Kip Hawley, assistant secretary of Transportation Security Administration, said it normally takes around four weeks to roll out changes to security procedures.

''This one came about in a little bit more than four hours in the middle of last night and so this was a surprise to many of us and as such is difficult to implement,'' he said.

At Boston's Logan Airport, Stephanie Diaz, 16, of Providence, Rhode Island, said: ''I didn't know about all this until I got here. Now I have to throw out all my hair gel.'' Cathy White was waiting with her dachshund Ginger to check in to a flight to Colorado: ''My granddaughter was desperate to see the dog, so we called last night and they told us it would be OK to take her on the plane. I hope it still is,'' she said.

At JFK's Delta Air Lines terminal, hundreds of people stood in line at the domestic departure gate. ''Now I'll have to buy all new make-up,'' one woman complained.

Washington's Dulles International Airport was crowded and hectic. ''It would have been nice if somebody had told us before we got here,'' said one male traveler.

At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport trash cans quickly filled with toothpaste, shampoo and lotions. Inspectors hand searched each bag, tossing aside items such as mascara and lip gloss. Screeners made exceptions for baby formula and prescription medications bearing the name of the passenger.

Some passengers expressed resignation.

''At my age you don't worry about much,'' said Ruth Dewey, 83, from Sleepy Hollow, New York, flying to San Francisco. ''I just took out my shampoo and put it with my checked luggage.'' REUTERS MQA RAI2253