Please note: Liquid, gel ban for air travel not temporary

Air travel hasn’t been the same since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

First, sharp objects such as knives and box cutters were banned from planes. Then it was lighters and matches. Barefoot trips through metal detectors are routine now, and tearful goodbyes at the gate are a thing of the past.

Some rules have been relaxed after an initial overreaction. You can carry on nail clippers, for example.

But local Transportation Security Administration Director Dereck Starks said the ban on liquids and gels enacted last month still is causing some problems.

“Surprisingly, people aren’t getting the message. Our level of liquids and gels has not fallen off,” said Starks.

He said he thinks it may be that passengers are wrongly assuming the ban was only temporary.

It’s not, although there have been a few modifications and clarifications. Up to 4 ounces of nonprescription liquid medications such as saline solution, eye-care products and KY Jelly are allowed in carry-on luggage, and your gel-filled bra isn’t going to be confiscated.

Up next at Spokane International Airport will be an explosive trace portal, designed to detect whether a passenger is carrying or recently has handled explosives.

The equipment will be installed in December or January, after airport terminal renovations are complete, said Starks.

Here’s how it works: Passengers walk inside and stand there while puffs of air are blown on them. The portal then analyzes the air and tells the passenger when to exit.

Senior driving

AAA and AARP are holding free inspections Wednesday afternoon to help senior citizens make sure their cars fit them.

A 12-point inspection will check things such as whether the driver can reach the pedals, if the mirrors are adjusted properly and whether adaptive devices would help the senior citizen drive better.

Inspections at the AAA Spokane office at 1717 W. Fourth Ave. will take about 20 minutes. Appointments are required. Call: (509) 358-7039.

Child airplane restraints

If lugging a car seat around the airport is getting you down and you don’t want to simply strap your 2-year-old in with the airplane seat belt, “Getting There” has some good news for you.

The Federal Aviation Administration last week approved a harness to keep small children in their airplane seats.

The Child Aviation Restraint System costs about $75 and can be pre-ordered at www.kidsflysafe.com. It’s designed for children between 22 and 44 pounds.

The harness itself weighs just a pound. And with all the other kids stuff to carry on a trip, checking the car seat could be a huge relief.

Fair warning, drivers

The Medical Lake Police Department is patrolling school zones this week.

They will be issuing tickets to speeders and those who violate crosswalk rules.

Slow going

North Spokane

Aubrey L. White Parkway will be closed just west of Spokane’s wastewater treatment plant during work hours today through Wednesday.

Monroe Street is under construction from Francis Avenue to Wall Street. Expect delays.

Flaggers will be directing single-lane traffic most days on state Highway 291 near Rutter Parkway. Expect delays.

Crestline Street is closed from Lincoln Road to Francis Avenue. Lincoln Road is closed from Napa Street to Crestline. Detours are in place. Francis Avenue is narrowed to one lane in each direction at Crestline.

West Dennison-Chattaroy Road is closed to all but local traffic between Highway 395 and Perry Road.

West Plains

Hayford Road is under construction from Highway 2 to Sprague Avenue.

South Spokane

U.S. Highway 195 construction between Rosalia and Plaza will reduce traffic to one lane from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Flaggers and pilot cars will direct traffic.

Cedar Road will be closed today from Cheney-Spokane Road to Eagle Ridge Boulevard. Traffic will be detoured.

Bernard Street is closed from 14th to 29th avenues. Traffic is detoured to Grand Boulevard and Lincoln Street.

Freya Street reconstruction will close traffic to all but local access from Hartson and 11th Avenue and from 22nd and 29th avenues. Other areas may also be closed at times this week. Detours are in place.

Regal Road is under construction from 57th Avenue to the Palouse Highway. Expect delays.

Spokane sweeping

Crews will sweep in the northwest in the areas from Francis to Wellesley between Division and Monroe, and from Gray Court to Wellesley between Division and Monroe; in the northeast from Wellesley to Upriver Drive between Crestline and Havana, between Wellesley and Bruce from Havana and Crestline, and from Francis to Wellesley between Crestline and Nevada; and on the south side, from Fifth to 18th between Southeast Boulevard and Crestline, and from Regal Street to Custer Street between 29th and 48th.

Please move cars off the streets. For more information, call (509) 456-2666.

Spokane Valley

Argonne Road is under construction from 8 p.m.-6 a.m. from Indiana Avenue to Montgomery Avenue. Watch for flaggers.

Adams Road is closed from Fourth Avenue to Eighth Avenue.

Sprague Avenue is closed from Harmony Road to Hodges Road.

Idaho

The south side of Seltice Way in Post Falls will have intermittent lane restrictions from 6 a.m.-5 p.m.