Soon Laptops not allowed as carry-on

[explanade]

Speculation is that DHS really wanted this ban. John Kelley was going to visit members of Congress and doing interviews, talking up this threat.

But the Europeans really didn't want electronic devices in the cargo holds. They also demanded that if the US imposed this ban on flights from EU to US, then US would have to do the same from US to the EU.

It may be that US airports aren't ready to do this either.

The other thing is, the companies making these airport scanners say their next generation of CT scanners will detect any booby-trapped laptops. But airports may not upgrade their equipment that fast.

[easysurfer]

I'm sure that probably the majority of laptop users flying are business travelers has something to do with no outright ban yet.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer I'm sure that probably the majority of laptop users flying are business travelers has something to do with no outright ban yet.

There were meetings with European officials a few weeks ago. I think the US is now looking at other options.

In European airport security, all carry on electronics larger than phones, including cameras, tablets and laptops, must be removed from bags and scanned separately. So it takes a while longer to get through security there. Already more thorough than the US.

[Bestwifeever]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 There were meetings with European officials a few weeks ago. I think the US is now looking at other options. In European airport security, all carry on electronics larger than phones, including cameras, tablets and laptops, must be removed from bags and scanned separately. So it takes a while longer to get through security there. Already more thorough than the US.

I had to laugh in Europe when, unlike myself, my three travelling companions ignored several signs and even the laptop/iPad stencil on the security bin and kept these items in their carryons, to then get called aside and have to wait to be handscreened. Of course then I had to wait for them, but I still did my little superior dance about it.

Even so, the scanning process was pretty efficient--much more so than my Chicago airports.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audreyh1 There were meetings with European officials a few weeks ago. I think the US is now looking at other options. In European airport security, all carry on electronics larger than phones, including cameras, tablets and laptops, must be removed from bags and scanned separately. So it takes a while longer to get through security there. Already more thorough than the US.

I don't mind the removed separately and scanned separately as long as there isn't extra attention then just that.

In fact, lugging a laptop case might be the best thing anyhow, to stuff all my belongings (wallet, keys, comb, belt) in before the routine "dress down".

Last time I flew, didn't think away so had to fiddle around with emptying my pockets in front of TSA.

[braumeister]

Just curious: I seem to recall that back when they first started this screening routine, I always had to turn on my laptop to prove it was really a working computer. Wouldn't that be a decent workaround now? Or would it just slow the screening line down too much?

[Totoro]

Interview with Pilot association on the radio here (EU), paraphrasing:

I'd rather have an explosion in the passenger cabin vs. the cargo hold. Easier to put out and handle apparently.

I also remember having to turn on my laptop right after 9/11. I couldn't because the battery was empty. They did a chemical check (with strips and stuff) instead.

[audreyh1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Totoro Interview with Pilot association on the radio here (EU), paraphrasing: I'd rather have an explosion in the passenger cabin vs. the cargo hold. Easier to put out and handle apparently. I also remember having to turn on my laptop right after 9/11. I couldn't because the battery was empty. They did a chemical check (with strips and stuff) instead.

Happened May 30 - laptop fire, fortunately it was in an overhead compartment. Still caused an emergency landing. Laptop Fire Exposes Flaw in Electronics Ban – FlyerTalk - The world's most popular frequent flyer community

[jonat]

I flew just in the last two weeks, and nothing had changed yet when going through a TSA PreCheck line. On our flight out PreCheck wasn't running and they made me take out my iPad and Kindle, but on the way back everything stayed in the bag. When I travel with a laptop, I have a bag that splits open so that the laptop side is flat by itself and I don't have to take it out. (At least as of last October - we'll see what happens in a few weeks when I fly to Germany.)

[Meadbh]

I was in Europe recently. I had an iPhone, an iPad Air2 and a Kindle. I was required to lay them all out flat at every airport security check.

[kcowan]

Thanks. That does not too troublesome.