New US & UK Laptop/Tablet ban on up to 8 countries

[exceladdict]

Well, this makes the routing for my next 280k redemption different. My last 16 hour DOH>IAH was only bearable because I used it to get rid of 400 emails.

My DSLR is not expensive, but I will not be checking it in. Nor would I my work laptop - items in baggage out of sight seem to always be excluded from travel insurance.

Depending on how long the ban lasts, I am hoping the ME3 offer a secure gate check-in for expensive electronics for premium pax.

 

[clazman]

Is this a ploy to get American companies contracts to take over security at these airports

 

[GarrettM]

This is going to have major ramifications for the ability of people on here to provide quality, up to date, trip reports.

 

[miniyazz]

Well, this makes the routing for my next 280k redemption different. My last 16 hour DOH>IAH was only bearable because I used it to get rid of 400 emails.

My DSLR is not expensive, but I will not be checking it in. Nor would I my work laptop - items in baggage out of sight seem to always be excluded from travel insurance.

Depending on how long the ban lasts, I am hoping the ME3 offer a secure gate check-in for expensive electronics for premium pax.

This is one of the main issues here - expensive electronics are generally specifically recommended to be hand luggage only due to risk of damage, theft etc in hold luggage. I would imagine this will make hold luggage theft a more major issue, as the rewards will be greater so more will risk it.
As mentioned, travel insurance may not cover checked bags and the Warsaw/Montreal compensation schemes are barely adequate to cover typical baggage even before including one or more valuable electronics - e.g. $2,000 laptop, $4,000 camera/lenses not being a stretch.

I would like to see checked baggage compensation increased for affected flights - having a camera nicked is usually only an inconvenience if the cost is covered; a laptop will be a lot more disruptive but in the era of whole device encryption and the option of client-side encrypted cloud storage, it doesn't have to be a deal-breaker. Also most portable 2.5" HDDs or SSDs are physically small enough to be allowed as carry-on luggage which may assist some.

I rarely if ever use my laptop in-flight, but I would be very disappointed to have to forgo it while waiting in airport lounges so hopefully these restrictions don't spread.

 

[Andyzx]

A nice summary of the UK ban and the last comment about EU looking at similar bans as well.

The UK has announced that they too will ban passengers carrying electronic devices when flying from certain Middle-East and North African countries.Downing Street has announced a ban on electronic devices (larger than 16 x 9.3 x 1.5 cm) when flying direct to the UK from either Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia or Saudi Arabia. The unexpected news follows only hours after the US implemented their own ban.
The following airlines are affected by the UK ban:

• British Airways, Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Tunis Air, Saudia, EasyJet, Jet2.com, Monarch, Thomas Cook, Thomson, Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airways, Atlas-Global Airlines, Middle East Airlines,
• Although the UK ban does not include as many countries as the US one, it seems it may be more inconvenient for passengers. Many of the airlines affected by the UK ban are low-cost carriers, where many passengers opt-out of paying extra for check-in luggage. Therefore hand-luggage only travelers will not be able take electronic devices abroad with them, including cameras.

Announcing the restrictions, a No 10 spokesman said: “The safety and security of the travelling public is our highest priority. That is why we keep our aviation security under constant review and put in place measures we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate.”
The affected airlines will have a number of days to enforce the UK restrictions.
Experts warn that it is likely other European countries are considering similar restrictions.

 

[defurax]

... but I will not be checking it in. Nor would I my work laptop - items in baggage out of sight seem to always be excluded from travel insurance.

I have to say I couldn't care less if my work laptop is not insured because it's checked in. Work will simply have to buy another one... My personnal laptop on the other hand I care a bit more
Lots of people have to put expensive electronics in the hold: TV crew, professional photographers, etc.. so it's not that unusual. Don't know what their insurance policies are like.

I guess I'll just put important things on a USB stick or there is always DropBox in case my computer is stolen.

 

[Andyzx]

My concerns include (and as commented by others)

• F and J pax only having hand luggage, now will have checked luggage
• LCC now make lots more from checked luggage, entertainment etc. - maybe time to invest in a few
• Theft of company laptops/devices and data
• QF, Virgin use code shares, and airlines with connections via middle east. You have a rule for Ex Aust and a rule ex connection so the ban will apply from Aust? if checking baggage.
• 16 x 9.3cm wont get you an iPad mini and probably going to exclude some "plus" phones on-board
• Will make my life easier as I now cannot work on the plane, but trip reports wont get done
• Wi-Fi and BYO on-board entertainment is almost gone.
• EU countries bringing in similar bans
• the list continues

I truly hope there was a credible threat that is causing this or its a big stink over a spoilt child who spat the dummy.

Happy flying..

 

[JessicaTam]

What?! Laptops, cameras in checked luggage???....

What?! Checked luggage???

HLO just got that little bit trickier.

 

[serfty]

What?! Checked luggage???

HLO just got that little bit trickier.

Hmmm, not sure a < 16 x 9.3 x 1.5 cm device would fit in your rollaboard anyway ...

 

[TheRealTMA]

Emirates is trying to minimise the potential backlash stemming from the new rules: Emirates: 'Who needs tablets and laptops anyway?'

The problem is that I guess a lot of people, including myself, don't use their laptop to watch movies or listen to music...

Having bags rifled and items stolen TWICE when flying Emirates Australia to Europe, this does not offer much comfort. Now the unwatched baggage handlers can almost be guaranteed to get a few thousand worth of electronics from practically any bag then open in the dark corners of the baggage handling rooms, especially J and F tagged.

 

[Tiki]

Another stupid decision that messes things up for normal travelers. Any evil-doers will simply choose a route via Europe to the USA if this is what they have in mind. Hell, they can simply buy drones and do what they want.

I'm a HLO traveler unless I am coming home after a huge shopping trip and I really don't want my DSLR and cheap laptop being checked. I hope this insanity doesn't spread to Australia and other countries. My DSLR is fairly cheap but I know birders with gear worth in the $10,000's, professional photographers. How can a camera be a threat that can't be inspected at security scanners as is currently done.

 

[Andyzx]

Just got my Aust Smart Traveller update for the UK

The following travel advice has changed or been added.

* United Kingdom
Smartraveller.gov.au - United Kingdom

Current Advice Level:
Exercise normal safety precautions

Latest update:
On 21 March 2017, the UK Government announced enhanced security procedures for passengers travelling from or through certain countries to the UK. The enhancement in security will require that all electronic devices larger than 16cm in length, 9.3cm in width and 1.5cm in depth (or thickness) be placed in checked baggage (See Entry and exit). The level of advice has not changed. We continue to advise Australians to exercise normal safety precautions in the United Kingdom.

The insanity must be real

 

[TheRealTMA]

Just got my Aust Smart Traveller update for the UK



The insanity must be real

Not necessarily but it's definitely contageous.

 

[auskiwiflyer]

This is nothing else than Trumps "America First" approach trying to hit the big Middle Eastern carriers HARD and thus protecting the USA airlines.

I mean seriously;

1. Each computer/ large tablet is already X-RAYED on a tray on it's own, and if desired these could be enhanced to image match pre-loaded x-ray images of device types to take the human eye element out of tampering detection.
2. Laptops are still a risk if not more so (battery fire being undetected) when in checked baggage
3. Since when did a Terrorist a) ever want to blow up a middle eastern (i.e. Muslim) based carrier and b) If they want to, they are smart enough to just launch an attack from a non-Muslim airport.
4. How many people in the USA have ever died from aircraft related terrorism compared to like say ALL OTHER FORMS human activity induced premature death?
5. Looking at history - which is far more likely to have a terror incident involving loss of life - a USA carrier or a Middle Eastern one? Like USA by probably a factor of several thousand.
6. A checked bag xray of a laptop buried in a checked bag is NOT GOING TO BE AS GOOD as an xray of the laptop on it's own in the tray on the belt.

I am disgusted by this move on so many levels. We have to stop this madness.


Wake up media and people that are buying the spin that this is related to an elevated security threat!!!

We should BOYCOTT all the USA carriers and fly only on EK, QR and EY (using checked luggage) to make the point that this is ridiculous and needs to be stopped.

 

[TheRealTMA]

From the Age or SMH today,

"Generally checked in electronics are not covered by travel insurance. Unlike carry-on belongings, laptops or electronic items stored in the hold of an airplane are considered the airline’s responsibility, not your insurer’s, according to Comparetravelinsurance.com.au’s Natalie Ball."​

 

[RooFlyer]

What would the chances be of some pretty pointed calls from Qantas into DFAT on this subject? Can you imagine the stink if Australia imposed the same sort of ban, and included UAE?

SQ and TG must be smacking their chops.

 

[opusman]

What would the chances be of some pretty pointed calls from Qantas into DFAT on this subject? Can you imagine the stink if Australia imposed the same sort of ban, and included UAE?

Australia always rushes to copy everything the US does so it's just a matter of time.

 

[RooFlyer]

This is nothing else than Trumps "America First" approach trying to hit the big Middle Eastern carriers HARD and thus protecting the USA airlines.

I mean seriously;

1. Each computer/ large tablet is already X-RAYED on a tray on it's own, and if desired these could be enhanced to image match pre-loaded x-ray images of device types to take the human eye element out of tampering detection.
2. Laptops are still a risk if not more so (battery fire being undetected) when in checked baggage
3. Since when did a Terrorist a) ever want to blow up a middle eastern (i.e. Muslim) based carrier and b) If they want to, they are smart enough to just launch an attack from a non-Muslim airport.
4. How many people in the USA have ever died from aircraft related terrorism compared to like say ALL OTHER FORMS human activity induced premature death?
5. Looking at history - which is far more likely to have a terror incident involving loss of life - a USA carrier or a Middle Eastern one? Like USA by probably a factor of several thousand.
6. A checked bag xray of a laptop buried in a checked bag is NOT GOING TO BE AS GOOD as an xray of the laptop on it's own in the tray on the belt.

I am disgusted by this move on so many levels. We have to stop this madness.


Wake up media and people that are buying the spin that this is related to an elevated security threat!!!

We should BOYCOTT all the USA carriers and fly only on EK, QR and EY (using checked luggage) to make the point that this is ridiculous and needs to be stopped.

I assume we should also boycott BA and all other British carriers for having implemented a very similar policy? And all EU carriers as well, if the EU also implements a similar ban, as mooted?

That damn Trump - even Europe is prey to his malfeasance!

 

[auskiwiflyer]

I assume we should also boycott BA and all other British carriers for having implemented a very similar policy? And all EU carriers as well, if the EU also implements a similar ban, as mooted?

That damn Trump - even Europe is prey to his malfeasance!

You are missing the part where the UK is just simply copying the USA's actions based on their (USA's) undoubted issuance of a fabricated elevated security threat.

and more importantly,

Can you or anyone refute any of the 6 points I make about how stupid this directive is!!

ESPECIALLY Points 2, 3, and 6

 

[RooFlyer]

You are missing the part where the UK is just simply copying the USA's actions based on their (USA's) undoubted issuance of a fabricated elevated security threat.

Oh, of course. But not exactly 'copying' and I missed the bit where they announced the fabricated security threat.