The US Transportation Security Administration has a new target: mobile phones and other electronics that won’t power up. At certain airports, if your device won’t turn on, it — and maybe you — won’t get on that plane.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the new screening measure will be put in place at certain foreign airports with US-bound direct flights, though the agency wouldn’t say which airports are part of the program.
In the affected airports, devices that won’t turn on will be confiscated, and passengers may be diverted for “additional questioning.” The AP mentions that American intelligence officials have been worried about terrorists finding new ways to bring explosives onto aeroplanes undetected.
In other words: now, in addition to making sure you’re not wearing a belt, your toiletries are under 100mL, anything remotely liquid-like is in a see-through bag, un-holstering your Woody doll’s gun, and leaving your pistol high heels at home, you’ve got to make sure your phone, laptop, or tablet is charged up enough to power-up for the friendly TSA agent. If only Aussies could take the bus to the US instead. [AP]
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