US Restricts Electronic Devices On Planes

[JulieSharp]

By Sky News US Team | Sky News – 5 minutes ago

US officials say they will not allow uncharged electronic devices onto US-bound airplanes at some overseas airports.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the new measure on Sunday.
It is part of the agency's efforts to bolster airport security amid concerns of a plot by Islamic extremists

The TSA said that passengers at certain foreign airports - it is not clear which ones - may be asked during security screening to turn on their electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablet or laptop computers.

If they do not have power the devices will not be allowed on planes, said the agency.

 

[chmurf]

I hope TSA in the US will not go by this rule

many of us europeans fly indirect.

Tablets have a limited battery life. Now we might tell our kids they can't watch a movie on their tablet out of fear the battery might be depleted at the layover airport ?
(I know it's US Bound only right now, just thinking about future)

 

[oceanscape]

I'm flying in a week. I hope they introduce this rule. Safety first.

We'll just make sure all our gadgets are charged up; not a big deal.

 

[chmurf]

I'm flying in a week. I hope they introduce this rule. Safety first.

We'll just make sure all our gadgets are charged up; not a big deal.

especially some devices :

American authorities have singled out Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets for extra security checks.

They would apply to US-bound direct flights from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the officials said.

 

[stantoneileen]

Safety first ! We have to stay ahead of the bad guys. They e not doing this to inconvenience people

 

[chocolateMinnie]

personally could last two weeks without phones, camera and kindle. No brainer. Couldn't live without my kids!!! If the USA is banning electronics then we have to assume they know what they are doing and they get my support 100%

 

[SerpentQueenClaire]

When I was a kid (and as I'm only 30 this year it's not going back a long way), we survived without kindles, mobiles and iPads to entertain us. Give the kids a paperback, puzzle books and a notepad and let then entertain themselves! So sad that we all rely so heavily on technology now.

 

[Tink2312]

When I was a kid (and as I'm only 30 this year it's not going back a long way), we survived without kindles, mobiles and iPads to entertain us. Give the kids a paperback, puzzle books and a notepad and let then entertain themselves! So sad that we all rely so heavily on technology now.

Agreed. Add in a pack of playing cards though or Top Trumps and maybe a quiz book

Like others have said, safety first. I'd rather this than the alternative.

 

[mackay_j]

When I was a kid (and as I'm only 30 this year it's not going back a long way), we survived without kindles, mobiles and iPads to entertain us. Give the kids a paperback, puzzle books and a notepad and let then entertain themselves! So sad that we all rely so heavily on technology now.

I used to think like that - Until I had a kid who has serious medical conditions. having her phone has allowed her freedom that I would have found hard to give. Her front screen saver has info to contact us if she is unconscious - Having said that we can easily travel with them switched off as long as she has it for when she and her younger sis are in parks without us (they are 21 and 17 so stay in later than we do as I has MS and a full day is too much for me). Getting her a phone when she was 12 gave us all a glimpse of normality. So I don't knock them

 

[flortlebap]

I hope TSA in the US will not go by this rule

many of us europeans fly indirect.

Tablets have a limited battery life. Now we might tell our kids they can't watch a movie on their tablet out of fear the battery might be depleted at the layover airport ?
(I know it's US Bound only right now, just thinking about future)

You can get universal pocket chargers pretty cheap these days. If you switch the devices off during the last hour of the first flight and spend a bit of time charging each it would mean you could at least switch them on to avoid them being confiscated.

 

[BudgieMama]

Relieved we're flying direct, as I won't touch my tablet before we board to keep the charge for the journey.

But I don't know that they've thought through what they do with people whose devices have run out of charge. It could happen very innocently (as chmurf suggests), and seems to me another reminder that the "bad guys" have already won, sadly.

 

[disneyholic family]

funny, they've been doing this for years in Germany.
About 12 years ago, i flew home from meetings in Dusseldorf, via Frankfurt.

Going through security in Frankfurt, the security guy (in full uniform holding a machine gun - and looked exactly like...well...anyway) said something to me in very brusk german. I just looked at him with the expression on my face that said, "seriously? do i look german?....anyway, he then repeated it in english - "turn on your computer".
no big deal. i was happy to do it. (and i noticed they were asking everyone to turn on their laptops).

 

[disneyholic family]

i wonder if they're going to do this in reverse - on the flights leaving the US.
I often buy an apple product or two, that are in their sealed boxes in my carry on. hmmm..

 

[ChipnDaleRule]

When I was a kid (and as I'm only 30 this year it's not going back a long way), we survived without kindles, mobiles and iPads to entertain us. Give the kids a paperback, puzzle books and a notepad and let then entertain themselves! So sad that we all rely so heavily on technology now.

100% agree. It's sad to think a 9 hr flight without a gadget could send someone into a frenzy, but also understand how much of a life saver they are too macky_j
Question though, if a gadget is put in the hold, and the bag gets screened does that bag get opened and gadget then get turned on and off by security? Also do all suitcases get xrayed ?

 

[Julia Ann]

Relieved we're flying direct, as I won't touch my tablet before we board to keep the charge for the journey.

But I don't know that they've thought through what they do with people whose devices have run out of charge. It could happen very innocently (as chmurf suggests), and seems to me another reminder that the "bad guys" have already won, sadly.

Be a good idea if they have a "charge" point at security to just plug your device into to switch it on, should it have lost charge whilst waiting 3 hours in the airport waiting for flight, but i agree that safety first and with this knowledge we can ensure we comply.

 

[BudgieMama]

Be a good idea if they have a "charge" point at security to just plug your device into to switch it on, should it have lost charge whilst waiting 3 hours in the airport waiting for flight, but i agree that safety first and with this knowledge we can ensure we comply.

That would be a great idea!

 

[Dimplenose]

No complaints about extra security measures from me. I just find it ironic that I have only recently dragged myself into the 21st century and bought a tablet, using it on flights was one of the reasons I got it.

The BBC news site http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28193654 is reporting that Heathrow officials are recommending passengers carry their charging cable in hand luggage.

 

[lgp1]

i wonder if they're going to do this in reverse - on the flights leaving the US.
I often buy an apple product or two, that are in their sealed boxes in my carry on. hmmm..

According to Simon Calder on the afternoon news it is only on flights into the US and not flights leaving the US

 

[JulieSharp]

On six o'clock news - BA Extra Warning - if your electronic devices in your hand luggage are not charged up you will NOT be able to travel.

If you are on a connecting flight the same applies. IMO BA should supply a charger before the security checks.

 

[Claire L]

To be honest who puts their chargers in their hold luggage? Also I think you will be asked to show the item works at the gate not at security as it is only US flights that are going to be subject to such scrutiny and to check everyone at security to see where they are flying will cause too much congestion. Just means getting to the gate earlier I guess.