It looks like the TSA has finally got round to reading XKCD 651. They have quietly banned electronic devices "larger than a phone" from the cabins of all airlines from a list of 13 countries. It isn't clear whether the ban affects electronic devices used by the aircraft's crew, for example the "electronic flight bag" used by the flight crew, which typically include a tablet.
The affected airlines have just 96 hours to comply.
The Department of Homeland Security today announced new carry-on restrictions for flights to the US from eight Middle Eastern countries, confirming reports from yesterday that such a ban would be implemented as soon as this week. The restrictions forbid electronic devices larger than a smartphone from being carried in the cabin of the airplane, including laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, and handheld gaming devices (larger than a smartphone).
Those devices can, however, all be placed into checked baggage. Neither DHS nor the Transportation Security Administration provided a firm rationale for the ban, how it chose which airports would be embroiled in the new security measures, or whether the ban is in any way related to an active terrorist plot. News of the ban first began percolating online yesterday when the Royal Jordanian airline partially disclosed it in a since-deleted tweet, which was framed as a message for passengers.
"Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items," reads a DHS press release put out this morning. "Based on this trend, the Transportation Security Administration, in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies, has determined it is prudent to enhance security, to include airport security procedures for passengers at certain last point of departure airports to the United States."
The action will affect nine airlines in eight countries across 10 airports, senior administration officials confirmed in a press briefing Monday. The list of countries includes Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The list of airlines affected includes Royal Jordanian, Egypt Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates, and Etihad Airways. The order is being issued as a security directive from the TSA. Airlines will have 96 hours to comply or the DHS will work with the FAA to revoke clearance for those airlines to land in the US, officials said.
Source: The Verge
Other outlets covering this story: Ars Technica The Register
(Score: 2) by jelizondo on Tuesday March 21 2017, @11:17PM (4 children)
Just stop visiting uncivilized countries. I’ve been to Western Europe, South Africa, Mexico, South America (*) and the Caribbean. Never had a problem with airport security, customs or inmigration except in the ol’ U.S. of A, reason for which I demoted it from my list of civilized countries.
(*) For some weird reason I could not fathom, if you enter Belize by land you are not allowed to carry any soft drinks; not even the ones you are drinking.
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 21 2017, @11:26PM
... ... ... It can't be that civilized.
In South Africa, around 100 young men die every year from having chunks of flesh cut from their penises, and some are forced to chew on those chunks of flesh.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday March 21 2017, @11:40PM (2 children)
Grew up hearing horror stories of travelers in and out of the Soviet Union... I'm pretty sure the US and Israel are now near the top for worst official paranoia against visitors (not counting bribes here, only official hindrance to casual travel).
All others on the list (except maybe Bhutan) don't parade themselves as democratic heavens while treating everyone like an existential threat.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by zocalo on Wednesday March 22 2017, @12:21AM
UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
(Score: 2) by driverless on Wednesday March 22 2017, @03:13AM
Grew up hearing horror stories of travelers in and out of the Soviet Union...
Post-Soviet Russia is the exact opposite, some of the most lax customs&immigration I've ever experienced. Travelling to the US nowadays most reminds me of what it used to be like going to East Germany. That's serious, no exaggeration.