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The threat may be real, but....:

TSA is behind times again!

jackb_guppy writes:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/06/us/tsa-security-measures/

The TSA is tightening security again... years late and with a method that proves nothing! Turn on your computer or phone or leave it behind! The laptop must be a bomb, if you cannot power it on! LOL

This is the easiest to by pass... Laptop with extra drive or power bay. Fill it. Power space is good for it too. Use a few buttons to meet the stupid test. I remember in the 90's when you had to plug it to show the boot screen. Yes, just the boot screen! Made the whole system available, but you need to use the power brick, to prove it was not fake too!

TSA about to require passengers to power up electronic devices when asked during screening

caseih writes:

Allegedly in response to an unspecified terrorist threat, the TSA has issued a directive requiring passengers on US-bound flights to prove to security personnel that their electronic devices power on and function. Devices which cannot power up will not be allowed onboard. So if you're travelling to the US you had better make sure your batteries are charged up. I imagine it won't take too many people having to abandon their expensive but dead smart phones before there will be an uproar. I am guessing this new directive is intended to prevent bombs from being smuggled on board in a laptop chassis. If security personnel really are unable with present x-ray technology to discern a normal-looking laptop from a bomb then we have serious problems.