Tighter security for flights to the USA

Wammer

More info here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28193654

GingerBob_3

Yet more info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_theater

Goldiegirl

alanrowell wrote: »

Indeed, as unless you have security checks at the gate you can't ensure that a non-US bound passenger doesn't pass something to a US bound passenger.

Therefore at every airport terminal where there are direct US flights everyone will have to be checked, not just the US bound ones.

The question therefore is - I've just come off a long haul flight on my way to a connecting flight at Heathrow, the batteries on all of my devices are flat from airborne use and the chargers are in checked luggage - what will happen?

If you can't power up your devices, they'll be confiscated.

That's what Shepard Smith on Fox News said, so it must be true.

Either don't use your devices on the previous flight, or keep your chargers with you!

dzug1

alanrowell wrote: »

ones.

The question therefore is - I've just come off a long haul flight on my way to a connecting flight at Heathrow, the batteries on all of my devices are flat from airborne use and the chargers are in checked luggage - what will happen?

Carrying your chargers in hand luggage is the obvious solution

fifeken

Goldiegirl wrote: »

If you can't power up your devices, they'll be confiscated.

That's what Shepard Smith on Fox News said, so it must be true.

Incorrect according to the link in post #32.

If they still arrive at the security point with a powerless device, they will be directed to a nearby retailer that might be able to provide a recharging cable, and told of the location of airport charging points.
If the traveller is still unable to power on their machine, it will be suggested they make use of MailandFly - an existing service offered by the firm Bagport, which is based at Heathrow's security control.
It allows passengers to pay for banned hand baggage to either be shipped to them separately or be stored at one of the firm's warehouses for up to 42 days.

worldtraveller

Customers on flights from the UK to the US must be able to comply if asked with the following requests:

Customers may be asked to turn on any electronic or battery powered devices such as telephones, tablets, e-books and laptops in front of security teams and/or demonstrate the item’s functionality.

If, when asked to do so, you are unable to demonstrate that your device has power you will not be allowed to fly on your planned service.

Please do all you can to ensure that items you bring with you are fully powered before you arrive at the airport.

Please do not bring any broken devices in your hand luggage to the airport as you will not be able to fly as planned.

Transfer customers flying to the US via the UK:

If you are flying to the US as a transfer customer, especially those on long journeys, please make sure that you not deplete power in your devices while on the first part of your journey.

There will be very limited charging points at airports.

Customers are still able to use their electronic devices on board subject to the normal operating rules. Read our guide on how you can use your electronic items on board.

The safety and security our customers remains our top priority at all times and we continue to work very closely with governments and airports around the world.

We thank you for your patience and understanding in helping us to comply with the additional regulations.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

What electronic devices are covered by this change of security regulations?
All electronic devices and mains powered electrical items such as tablets, telephones, e-books, laptops are included in these additional searches. If the security teams ask you to remove the item from its case or turn the device on you will be required to do so.

What happens if I don’t have any power left in my electronic device?
If you are unable to power up your electronic device you will not be allowed to fly. If it does not power up then it cannot be placed in your hand or hold luggage. Please do all you can to ensure that any electronic device you have is fully powered before you arrive at the airport. There will be very limited facilities at airports to charge electronic items.

I am transferring through London on a flight and then onto the US, what happens if my electronic device has run out of battery power by the time I arrive?
All electronic devices must have power and if you are unable to power up your item you will not be allowed to fly. Please use your electrical and electronic devices sparingly if you are going to fly on a long journey before getting to London and then transferring onto a US destination.

If my electronic device doesn’t have any power, will I be allowed to rebook?
If your device doesn’t power up when you are requested to do so, you will not be allowed to fly to the US on your original service. Our customer services team will look after the rebooking of your travel arrangements.

Will all customers on US flights be subject to the additional security measures?
All customers flying to the US must be prepared to have their electronic items searched and they must have sufficient power to be used.

I have just purchased a new electronic item from an airport shop, can I carry it on board if it has no power?
Customers must be prepared to demonstrate that the item has power. The item and its packaging may also be examined by security teams at the boarding gate. Please do all you can to ensure that any new electronic items you purchase at the airport have power before you reach the boarding gate.

Will there be extra charging points at the airport?
There will be some extra charging points, but customers need to ensure that their own devices have enough power at all times. Please do all you can to ensure that your electronic devices are fully powered before arriving at the airport.

Can I use my device on board?
Customers can use their devices on board. Our normal guidelines of using electronic devices in Flight Safe mode continue. Read our guide on how you can use your electronic items on board.

I no longer wish to travel, can I change my flight?
We expect to operate a full schedule of flights to and from the US and therefore normal ticket rules apply.

Can I use a mobile boarding pass as normal?
Yes, customers will still be able to use their mobile devices as boarding passes. Please ensure that any electronic devices, you have your mobile boarding pass on, have sufficient battery life and power before arriving at the airport.

I am flying to a destination outside of the US, what will I be required to do?
We comply with all the required security regulation on each country we fly to. We will continue to conduct additional random security processes on a wide range of destinations.

British Airways

photome

Do these checks apply on the return from the US, when many peoples phones etc may well be flat.

I usually take a mobile to the USA fully charged and only turn it on for short periods and rarely use it and never charge it so in my case it may well be flat on the return, of course I can take a charger and keep it charged but just asking

iltisman

I assume all these restrictions apply to cabin baggage so non powered devices can still go into hold baggage. I take some stuff that is powered by mains and 12 volts from cars etc.

ferf1223

we have a Power Monkey and a Juice Cube...we always have them charged and in our carry ons for unexpected power failures...we live in fear of losing our travel media sources and it sounds with this we'll need to be sure we don't deviate from normal protocols.

Some IFE systems now have a USB port...I assume (but have never tried) that you could charge via that if you had a USB cable on board?

After years of travelling to the US with several power converters and swapping out charging cables all the time one of our friends on the Vegas thread mentioned that she takes a UK power strip with a converter and plugs that in at the hotel and voila, charging station. Such a simple idea but had never occurred to us...and now everything gets charged the night before we leave, so hopefully we won't be caught out by this.

worldtraveller

photome wrote: »

Do these checks apply on the return from the US, when many peoples phones etc may well be flat.

I usually take a mobile to the USA fully charged and only turn it on for short periods and rarely use it and never charge it so in my case it may well be flat on the return, of course I can take a charger and keep it charged but just asking

To my knowledge, no. The TSA said on Sunday that these restrictions would only apply to some overseas airports, although the Department of Homeland Security said that they would continue to evaluate whether the increased security will be applied to US domestic flights (and presumably international).

However, I think it would be unwise to turn up for ANY flight right now, especially to, or from, or within the U.S.,. with an uncharged electronic device, as situations can change with no notice whatsoever. I was in the U.S. the day the liquid ban came into effect and the first I knew about it was when I arrived at the airport in Charlotte at 6.30 AM and the staff had only just been advised and were sticking up photocopied DHS warnings all over the airport. Even then, these "power-up" checks have always been done from time-to-time, so, even without the additional restrictions over there now, should you be checked and have no power, I would suggest that you would almost certainly have to go through additional security checks at the very least.