Security on flights to USA stepped up

[dfdasein]

BBC News - 'Enhanced security' at overseas airports with US flights

[kaikohe76]

Most likely more grief for the normal & totally law abidng pax, much easier for the airport security thugs to go after them & let the real bad boys get on with it.

[Mark in CA]

TSA now requiring passengers at some overseas airports that offer U.S.-bound flights to power on their electronic devices. Devices that won't power up won't be allowed on planes, and those travelers may have to undergo additional screening.

TSA: Some at US-bound airports must turn on phones

[Espada III]

You can just see the confusion on people's faces.........'what? turn the phone on??? I thought it had to be off? Make up your bloody minds!'

[Basil]

Used to be a requirement to demonstrate electronic equipment working. I guess it's just being re-instated.

[PAXboy]

If I recall correctly ... all laptops had to be switched on but the amount of time take for each laptop to boot up - and then shut down, caused delays. As the number of pax with laptops increased, so did the queues. Also, it was obvious to anyone that you could make a PC that booted up and looked normal and could still contain malign substances.

Whilst many laptops are now sitting in 'Pause' or 'Hibernate' and will boot more quickly, they can still contain many things. The supposition must be that some very specific thing is being looked for/prevented.


In this article: BBC News - Heathrow and Manchester issue must-be-charged gadget advice

Heathrow and Manchester airports have told passengers to ensure all electronic devices carried as hand baggage are charged before travel if they are flying to the US.

The move follows a request from the US that "certain overseas airports" implement enhanced security measures.

A new rule states that if a "device doesn't switch on, you won't be allowed to bring it on to the aircraft".

However, it is being applied differently at the two sites.

My emphasis to show the further confusion being extended to the traveller.

[fa2fi]

I remember doing this on a UK domestic about 15 years ago. Just out of interest, you have you £600 ipad. It is dead. Your charger is now in your good luggage or you have lost it. What happens to the pad?

[DaveReidUK]

What happens to the pad?

That's entirely up to you. Your iPad isn't going anywhere. It's too late to check it in the hold (and there are conflicting reports as to whether dead devices are even allowed in checked baggage).

So you either fly without it, or you miss your flight while you seek out another charger.

[fa2fi]

No doubt the airports will move their pay for charging stations closer to security to give people a boost of electricity to get through screening.

[west lakes]

What happens to the pad?

Covered in some depth in the BBC article in a section headed
Powerless Phones

I guess folk are too busy to bother to read it!

[500N]

Fa2fi

It means people will have to get organised and keep the charger with them.
Not too difficult for most people with half a brain.

[Wannabe Flyer]

I read somewhere that the inherent threat seems to be in iPhones and Samsung Galaxy.....does this mean Blackberry is making a come back

[ExXB]

Originally Posted by west lakes

I guess folk are too busy to bother to read it!

West lakes, there are lots of reasons why some don't like to click through to links posted on forums like this. Not least that you never know where it's going to take you. It is so easy to spoof a url address. http://www.bbc.com/this really isn't the BBC it's PPRuNe/

Of course everyone trusts other PPRuNers, but ...

I wish people would post a summary (not a cut and paste) rather than just post a link.

[NRU74]

I left Manchester this afternoon having gone thru' 'Security' with no requirement at any stage to switch on my phones or my ipad.
There appeared to be no questioning by the Baggage Inspection staff as to what one's destination was.
My phones were in my hand baggage (i've got more than one because I've got French Sim Cards and don't use my UK phone in France)
Has anyone experienced US bound pax being checked in a more intensive manner than EU bound pax ?

[Hartington]

NRU794. I think you'll find the extra security is done at the gate. That's what BA did when I flew to New York last week from Heathrow.

[Jarvy]

A quick out and back to Boston last week, no sign of any change in security. Didn't see anyone being asked to turn on anything.

[ExXB]

Went through GVA and LCY last couple of days during times that US flights would be boarding (and with a single security checkpoint for all passengers) and saw nothing different. They may be doing this at the gate, but ...

[Mark in CA]

The Air France (US) web site has had this message on its home page for some time now

FLASH INFO: New security measures on flights to the United States and Canada from Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport

and it links to this notice:

Air France Operations News - Air France

which seems to now include flights to Canada.

[Skipness One Echo]

NRU794. I think you'll find the extra security is done at the gate. That's what BA did when I flew to New York last week from Heathrow.

Unless they have an xray or a pat down at the gate, what's to stop me, in the certain knowledge my iPhone is my own and flat, lying and just walking past them?

[Laarbruch72]

The fact that if you're selected for extra screening, it will include both your person and your belongings / devices.