Per the DailyMail, new TSA rules state that your phones and laptops must be charged for international US bound flights.
The article states, “The US has declared that it will not allow mobile phones – especially iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy – onto US bound planes from some airports in Europe, the Middle East and Africa if the devices are not charged.
The new measure, which is bound to cause chaotic scenes at airports around the globe, is part of the US Transportation Security Administration’s effort to boost surveillance amid concerns that terrorists are plotting to blow up an airliner.
As part of the increased scrutiny at certain airports, security agents may ask travelers to turn on their electronic devices at checkpoints and if they do not have power, the devices will not be allowed on planes, the TSA said.”
The reason is for added security, that they are afraid that al Qaeda has figured to turn smartphones into bombs and this is just an added measure.
Travelers bound for the US may be asked to turn on their devices at the security checkpoint, and may not be allowed through if the device won’t turn on and will be asked to check them in their checked baggage or be denied boarding all together.
Again, this is for international US bound flights only at this time and the TSA has not said which international airports will be checking. What are your thoughts on this new initiative?
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Just read a USAToday report that shows, so far, there hasn’t been too long of a delay with this new initiative. While many people will find this new security measure to be pishposh, it is my belief most people will already have their electronic devices fully charged. Heaven forbid your iPad isn’t charged on your flight from Paris to Miami.
If they were truly concerned about smartphones and the like being used as bombs, wouldn’t the smart thing be to check for explosive residue and demand that devices be turned off and put in checked luggage or given to airline flight staff where it can not be accessed during the flight.
Just got off a flight from London to Houston today on British Airways. They made this announcement several times before we boarded the flight. I was not stopped for secondary “US-bound planes security” so don’t know if security in London was actually enforcing this.
Dang, better be sure to bring your international plugs!
Just left rome and in Frankfurt now going Lufthansa to atlanta. Didn’t have any thing asked about powering on the 6 devices I had with me (traveling with four kids) so doesn’t seem that they are doing it in Frankfurt.