TravelTalkOnline Forums People Talk SXM People Talk Anyone concerned re: possible laptop/tablet ban

Delta kinda jumped the gun and apologized but rumor mill says this is coming this week...and will apply to returning flights on all airlines from EVERYWHERE to the USA...presently not applicable to domestic flights

ALL electronic devises except cellphones...laptops, tablets, radios, anything with batteries..?headphones, ?cameras not allowed in the cabin. Must be checked

Sign was posted in Cincinnati and has been removed. Date and extent not final yet.

And I'm sure that 'someone' - be it the airlines or the TSA - will step up and guarantee these items will be safe in our checked luggage, right?! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Right. Terrifying that these people making minimum wage would be able to steal my expensive camera or my laptop, containing sensitive information. BS...

I've got a question...when going through security outside the US how do they know where you are going. IF in Paris I could be going ANYWHERE...how do they screen bags that are not checked AND then connect them to someone who is flying to the US. It's usually a disconnect.

Your boarding pass shows your flight number and destination. They check that when you go through security.

Yup, but your bags are mixed in with all others going to many different countries...and they check your boarding pass before you get to the scanner

At the Delta area of the Cincinnati airport, a sign warned passengers that beginning Friday on flights returning to the U.S. any electronic devices other than a cellphone would have to be placed in checked baggage. The airline flies between Cincinnati and Paris.

A Delta spokesman said the sign was posted in error by an employee at the airport. Asked if Delta had anticipated that the in-cabin ban on larger electronics would go into effect this week, the spokesman declined to comment.
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FULL STORY

Yup, sign pic posted in first post

Yep, for flights from Paris - should not affect Caribbean.

Ahhh...good pick up. The article I read originally said all international flights returning to the US but now I see that it is just Europe that might be added added. Delta sign made it more confusing when it said "Fights returning to the US" and didn't specify from Europe.

"Safe in the checked luggage" to me means more than stealing, even with the extra screening some dangerous cargo has been know to pass inspection and even if there is no "bomb" in the cargo hold these laptops have been know to catch fire and even explode on their own - then what?

Prediction: With yesterday's intelligence breech topic being an ISIL plan to compromise these devices, the US and other regions will expedite this practice.

https://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2017/05/13/a-travel-ban-on-notebook-computers-is-imminent/

Yup, that was unbelievable and, if that's the case, I don't really understand how it would be any different for ANY other flight including domestic.

I'll be flying out of Charles de Gaulle to Raleigh in July on a Delta plane but Air France ticket. I have not had any emails about this yet. and my chromebook is always in my carryon

Nothing was decided at the most recent meeting so you are fine so far. We are also flying out of CDG in July also on Delta to BOS

I just copied this check list from the TSA's Official Website (Homeland Security):At the Checkpoint
Remove the 3-1-1 liquids bag and place it in the bin.
Ensure pockets are empty (keys, tissues, currency, wallets, cell phones, etc.) and remove bulky jewelry (valuable items can be placed in carry-on).
Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt.
Remove computers and large electronics from carry-on and place in the bin alone (video game consoles, remote control toys, etc.)
Remember to check the bins and collect all belongings after going through screening.

So I don't think anything is official yet and there was nothing indicating it would change.

Correct. That is why it was reported here that nothing had been decided yet. There is another meeting this week.

...and the info above presently does not apply to TSA pre check which has a different set of guidlines

Expanded laptop ban

Thanks for the link, it was informative as to where the situation is at. It says that the US and Europe are not in favor of this as well. I wonder how much pull Homeland Security has with 2 big nations in opposition? Also, I thought cell phones could be just as destructive as any other electronic device? I'm not going to go in panic mode yet as I think the whole hype is just that and the media tends to blow lots of things out of proportion just to generate more news.

Latest meeting May 31 no decision made...
DHS

On return from SXM in mid-May, my suitcase handles were both broken off my suitcase. I stopped at the American office and reported it. The next day I called the number I was given and after taking care of that problem, asked the fellow I talked with about the ban. He told me he can't see how they would be able to enforce it. He told me they have passengers that fly multiple times a month for business and count on their in-flight time to catch up with business while using their computer. He said they would wouldn't be able to use their laptops in that case. Gonna be interesting to see what comes of this situation. I can see a new business in SXM starting where they rent laptops and other like devices to visitors to the island. Anyone want to join me in a new venture?

For me, the question is do I take my iPad and camera with us on a 9 day land tour of the United Kingdom and risk having them disappear from hold baggage on the return flight July 13. Might be our only time touring there. As good as an iPhone 7 camera is, I'd rather have my trusty Canon with a great telephoto taking pictures of sites such as Stone Henge.

Joe--this is what I personally would do. 1) check my personal insurance to see what my coverage is for these type of things and if necessary, think about adding a rider to come them 2)TAKE THE GOOD CAMERA! 3) If you have the ability to do so from overseas, download pictures to somewhere at home. 4) If the worst happens and you have to check them, take the camera cards and put them in your wallet or your wife's purse. That way, even if the camera goes missing, you at least still have the pictures!

One of our biggest regrets as far as pictures is that, years ago, before we had a digital camera, we went to Tahiti. Took some FANTASTIC film photos -- or what should have been fantastic film photos. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> We went through so many xrays on the way over and back, that the quality of the pictures was greatly degraded, so the pictures were only fair. Great pictures are your BEST way to remember wonderful times.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" />

I have a question about safety...what about the batteries in these devices. I have heard they can catch fire and that is why they shouldn't be checked...anyone worrying about that?

Carol - I'll probably take the camera and pull out the SD card if we have to put it in checked luggage. Not sure what I'll do about my Kindle. I haven't read a real book in several years, instead carrying my trusty Kindle everywhere we go. It's really sad that it may come to this as even as our fearless leaders keep insisting that the terrorists aren't winning. The terrorists won when we had to take off our shoes to pass though security. Little did we know that that was just the first inconvenience related to flying. Remember the days when friends and relatives could walk to the gate to say goodbye? Or when you could go to the airport and meet with someone passing through on their way to another city?

Honestly, a Kindle is cheap, and your books are all maintained in your Amazon account, so no great loss if it's stolen. The photos are a greater loss, and can be backed up in the Cloud if you're concerned. I feel for business persons who use their laptops to work while in flight. They are those who will be most impacted if this ruling comes to pass.

Good way for the airlines to make money. They could rent out laptops just like Alaska Air got rid of TV viewers and music jacks so they can rent out diviplayers.

"The terrorists won when we had to take off our shoes to pass though security."
Correct. All the more reason to have Global Entry even though it doesn't make a difference in SXM on your return. But if they make the changed discussed earlier it might work there too.

Yes, for sure, a Kindle is cheap and nothing there is a big loss if stolen.. Photos are irreplaceable..

They certainly are. When my phone was stolen last year, I lost a lot, but fortunately most of them had been automatically backed up to the Cloud. I didn't even realize that until I got home and found them accidentally.

My concern as well - hubby travels for business & has to take his work laptop with him - he may not use it on the flight, but needs it when he gets to his meetings - my concern is either it getting stolen or broken with the way the baggage handlers throw the luggage around. Also, our daughter is a professional photographer & while she can remove the cards from the camera, I would not trust the TSA & airline employees with access to several thousand dollars worth of camera equipment. Last thing you need is to get to a photo shoot & find your camera equipment either broken or missing!

Seems to have been put on the back burner for now. Latest info from two weeks ago reported that Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly was asked if he would eventually implement the ban and he replied "I might"

Perfect.....

Update..."Stepping back from laptop ban"

6/29 article

I'm taking my laptop tomorrow in my carry-on, and on the return as well.

I hope there won't be any problems! 'Cuz the luggage will already have been checked.

Teetering. It looks like TSA has asked airlines to greatly tighten security. If they do, fine. If they don't... nobody knows.

My thoughts exactly! What about the batteries...I thought this is a fire risk

Not so much the batteries. It's the possibility a terrorist will rig it with a bomb. Can't see the difference of carry on or checked luggage hold with a bomb. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />