Heading To Sochi? TSA Bans New Products For Russia-Bound Flights
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — There's another security crackdown for air travelers heading to the Winter Olympics.
The TSA has banned all liquids, gels and aerosols - including toothpaste - in carry-on luggage for Russia-bound flights.
KCAL9's Serene Branson reports Delta Airlines has put out special restrictions and instructions for anyone headed to Russia.
The decision comes after intelligence revealed terrorists may have found ways to hide explosives in toothpaste tubes or cosmetics.
Explosives engineer Sidney Alford demonstrated for CNN the extensive damage a bomb inside a tube of toothpaste tube could do when placed inside a car, blowing out its doors and windows.
Travelers at LAX were understanding of the extra precautions.
"It could be dangerous, and you never know," Jennifer Jee, from Orange County, said.
"I don't think they're overreacting," traveler Sean Kissinger added.
Russian officials say they have installed a ring of steel around the Olympic village but some counter-terrorism experts say that won't prevent attacks elsewhere, like airports.
Still, Delta says any passenger traveling on its airline or through a partner airline over the next couple of weeks will not be allowed to check in online or at a kiosk.
Travelers will instead be required to check in personally with the Delta representative.
