On her flight back to Penn State, the last thing avid flip-flop wearer Heather Binning expected was for her Rainbow brand flips-flops to be scanned for explosive devices.

For many returning out-of-state students, everyday necessities are suspect to terrorist activity at airport security check-ins all over the country.

A month has passed since 24 terrorists were arrested for an alleged plot to explode as many as a dozen planes over the Pacific Ocean using liquid explosives, and Penn State students are still feeling the heat from the new airport security regulations that followed.

Check-in delays varied with each student and each airport.Binning (sophomore-human development and family studies), from Tucson, Ariz., encountered few problems, though she said she noticed several signs stating certain items were prohibited from being taken on flights.

At this time no liquids are allowed on planes including water, drinks and various toiletries. Electronics are allowed, but must be scanned with all other carry-on luggage.

Binning's roommate, Emma McHugh (sophomore-hotel, restaurant and institutional management), of Seattle, was forced to stand in what she called "the longest line ever" for a single security gate.

Brett Feldman (freshman-marketing) from Boca Raton, Fla., noticed many new regulations in the airport.

"If you buy a bottled beverage," Feldman said, "they take off the cap at the register."

Water and other beverages were not allowed on the plane even if they had been purchased after check-in.

Feldman's bags were also rechecked for liquids just before he boarded his flight.

Despite tighter regulations and time delays, many out-of-state students are still willing to fly to get to school.

"Maybe it takes a little extra time," said Jamie Tissue (junior-Spanish) of Tulsa, Okla., "but I would rather take seven hours out of my day to fly and get there fast than 20 hours [to drive]."

As for the heightened security, students have mixed feelings. Craig Dauman (junior-landscape architecture) from Orange County, Calif., felt the extra security was better.

"They [had] more directions, so things [went] more smoothly," Dauman said.

Feldman, on the other hand, said he feels that the new airline security makes flying more difficult.

"Sometimes the heightened alert of security is a detriment in terms of flying," he said. "It's more of an invasion of personal space."

Overall, students said safety and the sense of security were necessary.

"I'd rather be safe than sorry," McHugh said.