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Travelers' Electronics At US Airports To Get Enhanced Screening, TSA Says (arstechnica.com)

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Aviation security officials will begin enhanced screening measures of passengers' electronics at US airports, the Transportation Security Administration announced Wednesday. Travelers must remove electronics larger than a mobile phone from their carry-on bags and "place them in a bin with nothing on top or below, similar to how laptops have been screened for years. This simple step helps TSA officers obtain a clearer X-ray image," the TSA announced amid growing fears that electronic devices can pose as homemade bombs. The TSA was quick to point out that the revised security measures do not apply to passengers enrolled in the TSA Precheck program.

"Whether you're flying to, from, or within the United States, TSA is committed to raising the baseline for aviation security by strengthening the overall security of our commercial aviation network to keep flying as a safe option for everyone," TSA Acting Administrator Huban A. Gowadia said. "It is critical for TSA to constantly enhance and adjust security screening procedures to stay ahead of evolving threats and keep passengers safe. By separating personal electronic items such as laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles for screening, TSA officers can more closely focus on resolving alarms and stopping terror threats."

5 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. two class society by jmccue · · Score: 3, Interesting

    So you you pay extra money you get special privileges in what use to be a freedom (travel). So much for the US Revolution and the Declaration of Independence

  2. Great by bickerdyke · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So it's juggling with 5 more plastic bins one handed while the other hand tries to hold pants up because your belt is in one of them.

    I'd like to apologize to the people behind me but it's in our both interest that I put belt and shoes on before I start moving again.

    I don't care about having to spread out the contents of my luggage or having to strip down, but having to do so in a queue is a terrible idea! NOT EVERYONE CAN TIE THEIR SHOELACES WHILE STANDING ON ONE LEG. Espescially not while pressured to move from the guy behind you. A simple bench to help you put on your shoes again would work wonders. Then a little space to pack or unpack your stuff or little trolleys to move your stack of bins away from the x-ray quickly....

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    bickerdyke
  3. Re:enhanced by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, they're talking about electronics. I imagine that "enhanced screening" means that they take your 14" laptop and return a 17" one to you.

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20
  4. Security Theater by Linsaran · · Score: 3, Informative

    Practically everything the TSA does is security theater anyways, this is just another one of a long list of not really effective things they do to make a big show and make everyone 'feel' safer.

    I'd rather they spend that money on things that work, or on almost literally anything else.

    --
    In a bit of shameless internet panhandling, I accept Litecoin Donations at Lbd2oH9QsthD1GfuUXPyka12YxvWJYnBVf
  5. Re:This isn't new at some airports. by youngone · · Score: 3, Funny

    I flew into the UK through Heathrow last year, and didn't even see an x-ray machine.
    No-one asked me to remove my belt or shoes either, so I don't know where that came from.
    I did have to place my laptop into a tray for the x-ray machine in Melbourne earlier this year however. While I was waiting I heard an American ask one of the security guys if she needed to remove her shoes. He looked at her like she was drunk and said, "No, why would you do that"?