Heightened security at U.S airports (and overseas?)
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and I told security that and they just went "oh, ok nevermind" and didn't actually check it was dead, but still asked all the others to show it on.
So it's not a new thing as far as i know.
So it's not a new thing as far as i know.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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When I fly to the US, I carry about 5 - 8 personal electronic devices with me, and I suspect many carry a similar number. If every device must be checked for function, this will hold up lines to no end.
Join Date: Oct 2009
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''When I fly to the US, I carry about 5 - 8 personal electronic devices with me''
BRE - nothing personal but if i was in a queue and someone in front put that many personal devices into the tray i might lean forward and politely suggest that he / she consolidates their personal device collection into one ( ok, maybe two) handy gadgets!
BRE - nothing personal but if i was in a queue and someone in front put that many personal devices into the tray i might lean forward and politely suggest that he / she consolidates their personal device collection into one ( ok, maybe two) handy gadgets!
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Not so unusual:
1 work laptop
2 work cellphone
3 personal cellphone
4 e-reader
5 noise cancelling MP3 player (the one invention that makes long distance flying bearable)
6 camera
7 GPS (yes, you can rent a GPS at $15 a day, but those dashtop devices Hertz and Avis will give you are usually ancient, lose their signal too often and sometimes have maps that have not been updated in years)
So I would probably tell you to think again and mind your own business.
1 work laptop
2 work cellphone
3 personal cellphone
4 e-reader
5 noise cancelling MP3 player (the one invention that makes long distance flying bearable)
6 camera
7 GPS (yes, you can rent a GPS at $15 a day, but those dashtop devices Hertz and Avis will give you are usually ancient, lose their signal too often and sometimes have maps that have not been updated in years)
So I would probably tell you to think again and mind your own business.
Capetonian : I have just posted on "Where Are They Now" and apologise for repeat but this might be appropriate. I am now dreading travel anywhere further than the local shops. Reading an article in the Daily Fail about enhanced security, I realise that I currently fit the high risk profile exactly. Being dusky to start with and enjoying roasting myself wherever there was any sun, I have a tendency to go very dark indeed. Following 17 years with GF in Bahrain and now 5 years of retirement bliss in the hot Cyprus sun, I look like a local (still pleasing for the Memsahib & still pulling admiring glances from other chicks................I'll have you know ). BUT, being a Brit & therefore an EU Citizen, fastracking into the USA with the Visa waiver programme, I am not going to proceed terribly fast because I have not been resident in the UK for 22 years; my passport is full of arabic writing; upon questioning I can reveal that I am a retired B767 pilot and, as I stated earlier, I do look very foreign indeed !
I can see why Border Security would want to look at me very carefully but it is now restricting my travel planning thoughts. Can I be bothered with the US entry ? Nah. Not really but it interferes with my Bucket list as I do want to see Graceland and head to Area 52 for my "Greys" T-shirt ! UK entry is also looking tiresome as incoming dusky with a British passport having not been in the UK for at least the last 5 years will be of prime interest to Entry Staff !
All very tiresome but I can, after all this, see their point. If I venture past the local shops and trusted Taverna, I will TRY to be ever so pleasant with those just doing their jobs. But, I am minded to just, simply, not bother.
I can see why Border Security would want to look at me very carefully but it is now restricting my travel planning thoughts. Can I be bothered with the US entry ? Nah. Not really but it interferes with my Bucket list as I do want to see Graceland and head to Area 52 for my "Greys" T-shirt ! UK entry is also looking tiresome as incoming dusky with a British passport having not been in the UK for at least the last 5 years will be of prime interest to Entry Staff !
All very tiresome but I can, after all this, see their point. If I venture past the local shops and trusted Taverna, I will TRY to be ever so pleasant with those just doing their jobs. But, I am minded to just, simply, not bother.
One point that no one is concentrating on . Forget security inside the airport. After Peshawar all you need to take out a 747 or 380 with 400 odd people is a nutcase located strategically outside the airport with a shoulder fired heat seeking missile.
Join Date: Oct 2009
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BRE,
it was meant lightheartedly!
Seriously though , if we are about to enter a world of 'every gadget checked' then do you really have to have that many? I'm speaking generally,not personally, if that's what you have to carry for business then so be it but we've all changed our 'liquid' habits because of security, maybe we will have to change our gadget habits too?.
it was meant lightheartedly!
Seriously though , if we are about to enter a world of 'every gadget checked' then do you really have to have that many? I'm speaking generally,not personally, if that's what you have to carry for business then so be it but we've all changed our 'liquid' habits because of security, maybe we will have to change our gadget habits too?.
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It used to be that they would only make you take out notebooks for separate x-ray. After some initial confusion about ipads the general consensus around the world was that tablets were ok, but I noticed this spring that they were asking for tablets and e-readers to be taken out, too, in Europe, the US and probably also Canada.
And believe me, there were many many people carrying a notebook, an e-reader and a tablet. And that is not counting phones, players, cameras, games consoles which until this week could stay in the bag.
What I was trying to say is that the new reality is that many people are carrying a number of devices, and checking all of these in a timely fashion, or getting people to carry fewer devices, will be a challenge.
Actually, the new requirement to keep all these charged will mean people will start to carry mobile chargers. These things have a Li-ion battery of between 3000 and 20000 mAh capacity, and the casing is ususally flimsier than your typical smartphone or tablet. I don't want to be near when one gets damaged!
And again, it's all about being perceived as doing something about the threat. Anyone who can fit something nasty within an electronic device can probably also fit a smaller battery that will provide power for those critical 5 minutes of the security check. Coming to think of it, all you need is an ink jet printed film of a popular boot screen glued to the back side of the cover glass, some LED backlighting and a jingle chip from a greeting card, both of which can be powered by a button cell. I hate to think that changing the rules will actually result in new threats being designed as a result!
And believe me, there were many many people carrying a notebook, an e-reader and a tablet. And that is not counting phones, players, cameras, games consoles which until this week could stay in the bag.
What I was trying to say is that the new reality is that many people are carrying a number of devices, and checking all of these in a timely fashion, or getting people to carry fewer devices, will be a challenge.
Actually, the new requirement to keep all these charged will mean people will start to carry mobile chargers. These things have a Li-ion battery of between 3000 and 20000 mAh capacity, and the casing is ususally flimsier than your typical smartphone or tablet. I don't want to be near when one gets damaged!
And again, it's all about being perceived as doing something about the threat. Anyone who can fit something nasty within an electronic device can probably also fit a smaller battery that will provide power for those critical 5 minutes of the security check. Coming to think of it, all you need is an ink jet printed film of a popular boot screen glued to the back side of the cover glass, some LED backlighting and a jingle chip from a greeting card, both of which can be powered by a button cell. I hate to think that changing the rules will actually result in new threats being designed as a result!
Last edited by BRE; 7th Jul 2014 at 19:34.
Join Date: Jun 2009
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I have absolutely no clue how the airport security would be able to screen a full A380-800 departing to us and make sure that the have screened all PEDs.
I myself always carry DSLR, Flashgun, iPad, Iphone, Laptop. Will take ages to power them up, one by one. Now multiply this by 60k+ passengers that board an aircraft on a daily basis at Zurich Airport. There is only on security zone cluster for all airlines. Nothing dedicated to US.
This will be a nightmare!
I myself always carry DSLR, Flashgun, iPad, Iphone, Laptop. Will take ages to power them up, one by one. Now multiply this by 60k+ passengers that board an aircraft on a daily basis at Zurich Airport. There is only on security zone cluster for all airlines. Nothing dedicated to US.
This will be a nightmare!
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I flew to Goose Bay from LHR via St Johns about 10 days after 9/11. There did not seem to be any extra checks at LHR but at St Johns, I was asked to switch on my laptop. By then the battery was dead. No problem says security, just plug it in to the socket. Problem UK plug does not fit the Canadian one. I was asked to return to check in and put the laptop through as hold luggage. The check in staff found a box and I thought that would the last I would see of it.....the box arrived, my suitcase didn't!
The return trip was the same but I had some power this time in the laptop. The bloke in front though had to give up his car keys as he couldn't show that it was just a remote as his car was in New York.
The thing that I remember about that trip was being given a plastic knife, metal fork and a glass bottle of wine to drink from a glass. This was just after taking nail files off pax.
The return trip was the same but I had some power this time in the laptop. The bloke in front though had to give up his car keys as he couldn't show that it was just a remote as his car was in New York.
The thing that I remember about that trip was being given a plastic knife, metal fork and a glass bottle of wine to drink from a glass. This was just after taking nail files off pax.
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Speaking about security. I am not allowed to take my nail clip in my hand baggage, but I have no issue in having the swiss army knife with me as the knife blade is no passing 6cm length. Law permits a knife in cabin until 6cm length 
I don't know why my nail clip would harm anyone, while i understand that my swiss army knife could ...
I don't know why my nail clip would harm anyone, while i understand that my swiss army knife could ...
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British Airways has said that its customers face being made to rebook if they are found in possession of an uncharged device.
I retired more than 15 years ago after 40 years as a pilot. I have flown just twice in those past 15 years. I simply can't be bothered with all the hassle.
I wonder how many others don't fly nowadays, not out of fear, but because it is so damn tedious?
Last edited by jackharr; 7th Jul 2014 at 16:08. Reason: grammar
So if the device has to be charged, then that means you dare not use your Kindle, phone, or whatever while delayed awaiting departure in case the battery runs down too far.
A new rule states that if a "device doesn't switch on, you won't be allowed to bring it on to the aircraft"
the BBC understands that passengers flying to the US will be advised to remove relevant chargers from their hold luggage at check-in, so that they can top up carried-on gadgets if necessary. Alternatively, they can opt to place any powered-down kit in their stowed luggage.
this will hold up lines to no end..
So I would probably tell you to think again and mind your own business.
Mrs. ExS was told to remove her passport hanging around her neck in one of those canvas pouches sold precisely for that purpose, because " It constitutes a third piece of hand baggage" which is forbidden - she had her cabin bag and not-very-big purse. ( for once ! )
I told her to place it in the bottom of her cabin bag, and take 5 or 6 minutes retrieving it and replacing it every time it was demanded. This held up the queue nicely.
Should I care ? Tough.
This one concerns me
Going to this much trouble is bothersome to my suspicons about motive
Man Arrested at Detroit Airport With Knife 'Artfully Concealed' in Shoe - NBC News
Man Arrested at Detroit Airport With Knife 'Artfully Concealed' in Shoe - NBC News
A man going through security at the Detroit airport had a knife concealed in the lining of his shoe and was arrested, authorities said.
Airport police took the knife and arrested the man Sunday morning, the Transportation Security Administration said. The TSA did not immediately release the man’s name. The agency described the knife as “artfully concealed.”
Image:Transportation Security Administration TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINIST VIA AP
This July 6 photo provided by the Transportation Security Administration shows a knife concealed inside the bottom lining of a shoe belonging to a passenger at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Mich.
Airport police took the knife and arrested the man Sunday morning, the Transportation Security Administration said. The TSA did not immediately release the man’s name. The agency described the knife as “artfully concealed.”
Image:Transportation Security Administration TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINIST VIA AP
This July 6 photo provided by the Transportation Security Administration shows a knife concealed inside the bottom lining of a shoe belonging to a passenger at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, Mich.
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Dealing with US entry
Gordomac , I can sympathise but just get on with it. There are too many locations in USA for the bucket list to be ignored.
I have a strategy to deal with US Border Control. Many years ago I had a finger amputated on my left hand so I just say to the Border Guard that I cannot present 5 fingers for fingerprint scanning because of a "disability". Once I say that word, it is yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir, while they figure out a workaround. Offending someone with a disability is a career limiting move for these guys.
Just chop a finger off and get on the aircraft.
I have a strategy to deal with US Border Control. Many years ago I had a finger amputated on my left hand so I just say to the Border Guard that I cannot present 5 fingers for fingerprint scanning because of a "disability". Once I say that word, it is yes sir, no sir, 3 bags full sir, while they figure out a workaround. Offending someone with a disability is a career limiting move for these guys.
Just chop a finger off and get on the aircraft.
I guess the sales of instant phone chargers will go through the roof. There are plenty on the market for less than a tenner. But knowing airport shops these will double in price.
