TSA will check to see if your device turns on for international, U.S.-bound flights

Black TSA lady thought that my guilty gucci cologne was contraband. Didn't know how to measure ounces. Stupid lady.

Yeah, stupid black people. :roll eyes You're an idiot.

Stupidity and race have nothing to do with each other. You must be stupid to not know that. Thanks for being the ignorant guy in the comments section.

With such a screen name I would expect such a comment. Ever heard of kamikaze missions during world war 2

Yet, he's right. TSA is a colossal waste of money.

At least they're attempting to keep us safe.  There are other government agencies I'd axe before the TSA.  Let's start with the United States Postal Service.  It is no longer needed.  But, go ahead and take your pick. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_federal_agencies  

"they're attempting to keep us safe" Then, it is not enough. I recommend making people travel naked, strapped to the seat and with black bags on the head. It is the only way to be (almost) sure. If this fails, the next step is summary execution of all passengers before boarding. That must be secure enough, probably.

Nope. Dead mans switch.

While the post office may need restructuring, it is delivers the one form of communication that does not need redundancies and can evade security concerns that comes with electronic communication.

US Mail is not without security concerns. Ask any old timer who has had their Social Security check stolen from their mailbox. USPS is no longer needed and everyone knows it. They did a great job for a long time, so it is kind of sad to see them go, but you can't or shouldn't stop progress.

Nooo USPS deliver most of my car parts cheaper than FedEx or UPS

Huh? You know that our taxes don't pay for the postal service right? If they earn their own keep, you can't really call them a waste of money. Also, I love the postal service, cheap shipping ftw.

They lost billions of dollars last year. Who do you think is going to cover that shortfall?

Not taxpayers. They don't receive any money from tax dollars for operating expenses, all of it comes from postal service revenue. Like any other business, they have a line of credit and borrow money. They are quite a bit in the hole, but our tax dollars don't pay for that any more than they do any private company. The reason they are losing money is because they have to follow rules set in place by congress (pre-funding health/retirement plans, delivering 6 days a week), yet are not funded by the government but cannot make their own decisions. Revenue from actual deliveries has increased by quite a bit and proposed changes could very well return the postal service to profitability (additional revenue streams, mail 5 days a week), but congress has to approve, unlike a private company. I see the point you're trying to make, and I agree there are agencies that are a waste of money, but your example is misleading.

You might be correct to date, but I can almost guarantee that the taxpayers are the ones that are going to pay these retirements benefits for 20-30 years. Postal employees are government employees. Additionally, any credit they currently have will not carry them much further. Ultimately, taxpayers are going to be on the hook. Anyway, I'm sure you can find another agency or two on the list that we can defund today and no one would notice.

At first I thought you were just misinformed, but you can't just speculate and try to make your example seem valid. I am absolutely correct in what I said, and bringing in a future that you speculate on doesn't change anything. And even if it did, getting rid of them now wouldn't change anything if tax payers have to pay for it in the future, which nullifies your entire premise of the example. Like I said, I agree that there are agencies that are a waste of money, but you really shouldn't talk about agencies without proper research (some of them mean the world to a lot of people).
 

OK, fine. Then spin the USPS off into its own company removed from all government control. Keep existing employees as federal employees and let them keep the benefits they were promised, but any new employees will be employees of the new private company. The government no longer needs to be involved in any capacity in this business. And yes, I do speculate that at some point the taxpayers will be bailing out the USPS if nothing is done. Keeping a government agency for the sake of its employees and contractors is not what we as taxpayers expect for our money. These jobs are not welfare. We expect something for the money we are forced to give.

Listen to yourself man. Reactive thinking is not the way to go. You can't just make major changes like that in a heartbeat, these things take time. And these jobs are the livelihood of many people; this isn't welfare, they are doing their jobs as told to them when they were hired, USPS can't just not hold up their end of the deal because it doesn't work for you. These people were promised things as government employees, even if they are not paid by the government. You’re thinking like all the armchair analyst commenters on these tech sites that proclaim doom and gloom for successful companies on a daily basis, and have no idea how the inner workings of a company operate. If they run out of money/credit, they would probably file for some form of chapter 11, just like any private company. And rest assured the USPS is proposing changes to increase its profitability. Did you actually do any research on this? Seriously, no one at USPS is using your tax money; it's so ridiculous to me that you're still complaining about a situation that doesn't exist. There are plenty of legitimate gripes with our government, and I would likely agree with you on them, but this is certainly not one of them.
 

I certainly hope you're right.

They are also required to pre-pay for the health care of all FUTURE retirees due to a mandate set in 2006. I think it was around 5.5 billion dollars over 10 years. USPS DOES NOT receive taxpayer funds, yet they are managed by politicians that want to see them destroyed. I think they are doing pretty well, considering.

Too bad the guy above you doesn't seem to want to understand that.
 

Travelling to the USA just feels like way too much drama. I'll spend my tourist dollars elsewhere.

Uh huh. If you are coming here in the first place, I doubt TSA checks are going to stop you. And if you aren't coming here, then I doubt TSA checks are deterring you.

They do for a lot of people including myself.

Depends, I won't even fly internally anymore. Six trips I've driven so far that I used to fly before TSA. If it comes down to it, I'll even check a train schedule first unless they've turned that to crap too.

Wouldn't trains have security too?

Do you believe they give a damn about national things.. they are just concerned about the information they can gather from around the globe

Because of TSA overstepping and some other "antiterror/arbitrary detention" laws, I would only go to USA if I really must. To be fair, I have similar concerns with other countries too, such as Dubai or some central and south american countries.

All this silliness has stopped me from flying to US. Just decided to do vacation in France. And I drove there. Can't be bothered to fly, even in Europe, if I can avoid.

No one is talking about the back scatter full body x-ray. God dam going through that machine is demeaning. They see your penis.

If they want to see it, then I say enjoy! (And call me later, lol.)

I find standing in a box with my hands held in the air like a criminal more demeaning than the resulting #dickpic. If they would just scan me while I am sitting eating my Sbarro itd be a lot better for me.

only demeaning if its small

LOL

Lol

You say that like its a bad thing. xD Actually, they have a pre-set model just for that reason. No bodypart(s) are seen.

So, you are being treated like a criminal, but, hey, an electronic image of your penis is safe from the eyes of some tired and busy security officer! (and just until someone finds a way to exchange his penis for a grenade, jaja :-P)

Why "jaja"? Does "haha" not translate to other languages? Not trying to be rude just I see ppl saying "jaja" as if laughing yet I've never heard someone in person laugh like "jajaja that was hilarious"... Help me understand it boggles my mind!

Friendly advice: travel more. And I don't mean as a tourist, to take photos. I mean travel to get to know other cultures, languages and ways of life. You will understand many things. Also, notice that "H" is just next to "J" on the keyboard. Think about it. :)

I actually travel quite a bit but I'm Canadian there's not many Jose's around here

People who speak Spanish write jaja because j in Spanish is pronounced like h in English. Have you ever eaten a jalapeno or met someone named Jose? :-)

Your oppinion of them is far too kind

They once took away my radar detector for the car, without telling me. More like stealing!

Aren't they illegal? You're lucky they didn't fine you too

They are legal. Only illegal in Washington DC and VA

Ah right... in Australia they're completely illegal in all States except Western Australia. The police actively use Radar Detector Detectors (RDD) and will prosecute anyone found with one.

Tim Howard can block more terrorists than the TSA

lol +1

Agreed. We should be considering other forms of highly successful screening used in much more volatile and violent parts of the world.

Doesn't make too much sense.

Just makes sense if they use it to check ur personal details on the phone and put some spyware on ur phone

But what if you don't have an android phone? =D

Sounds like they have heard some chatter of a potential threat and are trying to get out in front of it.

I thought they stopped with the shoe thing..

They still do it for CAN-US flights

If you have Pre-Check, yes.

They did, but not really. Except when the damn thing goes off for a random check they ask you why you left your shoes on. It's just a trick to make you have to speak. I alwatys take my shoes off regardless to avoid talking to them.

They never have a truly consistent set of rules or implementations, even between airports, which is something they publicize and say is a strategy. But then when you don't psychically know they want something different from you than last week, they treat you like a jerk at best.

MURICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The TSA can be a right bunch of morons, however I'm willing to do whatever is required to ensure a safe flight. I just hope the requirements and checks are for everyone - equally.

So if it would come to that, you'd agree to get completely naked, pack all your stuff one-by-one into a TSA-issued backpack, and also your non-carry-on luggage would be scanned deep, repackaged without your approval, etc.?

Actually isnt their an airline that has nude flights?

That's the problem, the TSA doesn't make flights any safer, they just create the illusion of safety. I've flown a bunch this past month and everytime they had random security procedures: some got assigned to the pre-check line (even if you hadn't prechecked) and some for the full security line. This randomness does nothing but confirm how the normal procedure does absolutely nothing to guarantee safety. If it were actually effective, they would not randomize it. The whole process is a recognition that it's all for show.

I don't agree with you. You can't say with certainty that TSA doesn't make flights safer. What would you prefer. Letting people run muck taking what ever they want on the plane. Next thing you know we will be smoking cigarettes on planes again.

Sure, I stretched it too much saying they don't make flights safer at all. Truth is much of what they do actually make flights safer, but all the common security practices for passengers in airports mostly don't do anything that brings any tangible benefit. There's a reason why they have started randomizing controls, because those procedures bring little benefit if at all.

Oh I'm sure that keeping all those smokers off planes will keep you safe. TSA doesn't keep you safe, you think it does because everyone was so scared post 9/11 that we signed our rights away. There was an instance where a kid made a bomb out of things you buy in shops after the check point. Those people standing at check points going through your stuff don't even think they're helping, they're doing it for the paycheck nothing more and if they happen to see something nice in your bag you better hope it doesn't get "lost" because they could use a nice case of cameras or lenses, hell I know someone who "lost" $800+ of make up. If someone wanted to highjack a plane they would have thought of ways to avoid the TSA all together.

Can't say for certain TSA doesn't make flights safer? Is that the standard we're operating on? Because I'm pretty sure you can't be certain only letting planes fly on Tuesday doesn't make them safer. TSA is public policy with huge implications for both individuals and the country as a whole. I'm pretty sure we should have some reason to think the things we do on that level are effective, if we are going to continue to do them.

Hahaha... OK buddy. I'm assuming you also think that 100% of what your government tells you is true and fully legal. Keep living in fairyland, must be nice. Edit: I'm assuming you mean these TSA practices are useful. I might have missed irony though.

You didnt miss irony, there was none. It all comes down to "should." I said we should have some reason to think they are effective, in response to a person who said we should do them just because there's some vanishing chance they work. I meant that we should only do something if its effective (at the very least.) I did not mean that the very fact we are doing it gives us cause to believe it effective--which I can see how it could have read that way I guess.

Thing is, the checks only get more intrusive, but not better prepared at all. We did not progress forward in the past 13 years since the 9/11 scare, but we're almost at the point where the TSA has the rights to violate you anally just because you "look funny". But let's take a step back and look at EU airports. Even though they are in different countries, the same rules apply, same security checks, and it is quite rare that there's anything unacceptable in the bags (okay once I left my charger in there, the lady at the x-ray machine saw it, told me to unpack it next time, then sent me off to my plane smiling). The stupidest thing, thouh, is the one with fluids. Why am I not allowed to take more than 100ml onboard? My deodorants usually are 150ml, perfumes are 122ml, so why this shit? So that we can't bring any drinking water with us, and rather buy the expensive shit at the airport? (irony intended, I DO know that this is the goal of this rule).

*run amok :)

Yes. If an unknown number of passengers are carrying their legal concealed pistols, any hijacker would think twice.

Spot on.  While TSA procedures have made it so people can't (easily) get on the pane with boxcutters and guns, it's only a surface-level precaution.  For those who realy WANT to cause damage/destruction/fear/whatever, it really doesn't take much planning or creativity to circumvent these precaustions, and they do little to address other means of terrorism.

Exactly, that was my point: actual crazy people trying to do damage won't be stopped by this kind of thing. I mean, consider this new device power up rule: a terrorist could use a Macbook, have it dual boot and just boot to the Mac partition when screened by TSA. Unlike in Windows, where you see all partitions in most of the boot sequences, in Mac it'll directly load the primary partition unless you press OPTION. Thus, a terrorist could boot into what seems like a normal Mac partition and then later boot into whatever other partition he has crazy stuff in, and that's just using a consumer tech product that you can purchase anywhere, who knows what advances stuff these a**holes might actually be using. That's why this new rule = useless.

I doubt the TSA is going to audit the contents of these devices. I don't think this new rule is to look at what's on the device, it's to make sure it's an actual device and not just a shell holding explosives.

That's what I thought at first, but considering we all have to scan our laptops anyway, wouldn't any explosive show up in the xray thing? That's why the turning-on thing doesn't make sense to me.

I see your point and agree. It just doesn't make sense, time wise, that they're going to be able to look at the contents of all these devices.

No, C4 looks alot like a battery under an XRay.

Please tell me that's a joke, because if it's true, that means security personell have been letting millions of passengers board planes with what looks like explosives. Don't see how that could make anyone feel better.

There are machines sniffing for explosives and also check fore residues.

Sure they use scanners for explosives, they can even have dogs trained to sniff for explosives or a TSA agent visually inspect a device for explosives; unfortunately, even if an explosive is detected, due to popular usage and market forces, explosive material is detected, recognized, and allowed onto US & US-bound commercial planes constantly. The material is within the devices they are purposefully targeting at the moment because people are learning about more and more each day of the dangerous situations that can be initiated by faulting the basic components of a given device. Look at Youtube and all the different ways to acquire Lithium batteries generally out of standard usage due to the risk of explosion; then notice how people can create a battery rigged for an explosion with little required for detonation. No one is going to be hiding a dual bootable HDD in a mac to circumnavigate the high wits of the TSA, then secretly boot into some program that detonates all passengers' devices' batteries via Bluetooth whilst simultaneously transmits through wifi for the emergency exit to blow open so when the terrorist hastily dives out the plane during the chaos, they will be able to orchestrate unimpeded their perfect escape using a simple, yet highly stylish, pair of MC Hammer's terrorist-funded/developed parachute pants. Speculation of why they are looking and what they are looking for can go wild, but it's most likely low tech, easily producible /cancelable explosive devices - an improperly charged lithium battery that might appear to properly fit inside a given device could easily pass security and cripple a plane an hour later; how do you mitigate the risk? Have people charge their devices, then get them to show their device has a power source that is not rigged or likely a danger by just asking for their device(s) to be powered on. All this espionage /spyware/pornography viewing bs is the height of absurdity. If you're so afraid of that activity, just don't come to (or leave with the intentions of coming back to) a sovereign nation that dictates the standards necessary for a foreign-inbound commercial airliner to land passengers with intentions beyond shopping the duty-free shops and then going back aboard a plane headed for another nation whose security policies don't have the apparent high-pornography upload risk. In this case, what they're asking for is reasonable; yes, other stuff that has been implemented is questionable, but this is not invasive as people are screaming it is...

The article states that the electronic devices may be actually physically used as a bomb. Therefore a walkman or some old hardware device which has a large enough housing can be converted into a mini bomb of sorts. Take a large handheld video recorder and strip the insides and replace it with "circuit" looking nonsense that actually is a bomb and no one would be wiser. This precaution makes sense BC tech isn't something that just by looking at it be neutralized. The article doesn't mention software as being the cause of these precautions

As I commented on the previous post, that's what I thought at first, but considering we all have to scan our laptops anyway, wouldn't any explosive show up in the xray thing? That's why the turning-on thing doesn't make sense to me.

C4, plastic explosives and liquid explosives can be made to look like a battery under an x-ray.

As I mentioned in the other comment, I hope that's a joke, otherwise it means security personell have been letting millions of passengers board planes with what looks like explosives for decades. That kind of policy is hardly reassuring to anyone.

Nope not a joke.

So why does that mean we shouldn't try to prevent it? Just to avoid scaring people? So if there is a chance that stuff has been getting through we would just let it keep happening?

Sorry but that is just a stupid opinion. Lie the TSA is going to become IT experts. It's just to make sure the decide powers on and isn't a bomb or other device. the TSA it's one level of defense. Remember, there are local police that also patrol, so it's not just the TSA heading the airports.

Like I mentioned in the previous 2 posts, but considering we all have to scan our laptops anyway, wouldn't any explosive show up in the xray thing? That's why the turning-on thing doesn't make sense to me. Plus, if the TSA are so worried about laptops and computers being used for dangerous purposes, I damn well expect them to be IT experts, otherwise it's just a moron looking at a computer and understanding nothing about what he sees... which makes no one safer.

Exactly.

It's funny that you think you're safe. If only you knew how many vulnerabilities there are at airports. Security is a joke. War is peace,
Ignorance is strength,
Freedom is slavery. -Orwell Posted via Windows Phone Central App

Checks are for everyone, equally. Absolutely! Just as long as you don't have a beard and look middle-Eastern / Indian / Pakistani.    

As stupid as it gets... I had several situations traveling internationally where I ran out of battery before my last leg back to the US. It happens. So unless they provide me with a power outlet at the security checkpoint and have the patience to wait until my phone comes back to life, this measure is ridiculous...

Agreed

Agreed!!  the only way they can really do this.. most peoples phones are not at 100% especially travelling.. mine never is.. 

Well said

Or YOU could just plan ahead and not be a total douche and inconvenience the other travelers in line behind you.... I swear, the second you ask someone to plan ahead they get all up in arms.... What?? You mean I actually have to plan ahead when flying internationally?!!?!?!?!?!???

Well, I travel Internationally for about 50% of my work time. You WILL run out of battery at some point. For the occasional tourist planning for the one trip a year is great. For people on the go, planning happens when you change the flight heading to Rome for the one Heading to New York because a meeting changed.

I carry a 13,000 mAh Anker battery with me which ensure my phone will NEVER run out when I travel. It will keep my phone going for days without the need to plug in to a charger.

Yup..and for the last few years every international flight I've had has had a USB charging port in the headrest in front of me or down under the seat.

Hahah, you are so goddamn brainwashed if you think this is acceptable.

No kidding.

Erasure25, you don't fly much, do you

Flying is no right, its a privilege, & if they feel this will leave other passengers safer, so be it. I can't complain for flying on their planes.

Says who? TSA? Flying is not a privilege. That's the biggest bs I've ever heard in my life.

Flying IS a privilege. Just like driving is a privilege. Both can be taken away with due cause. Seems like the BS is all yours.

Might want to tell that to the company who sends me on travels on planes every week. It is a commodity and for most frequent travelers it is a annoying necessity...

Uhm, some companies send their employees on deliveries with company owned cars. Guess what happens if the privilege of driving (e.g., having your state issues license revoked) is taken away? You probably lose your job or get re-assigned. So your example proves nothing.

Walking must be a privilege too then because that can be taken away from you quite easily. Flying and driving is a necessity.

You are not required to utilize a private company's multimillion dollar aircraft to walk. You use your own two feet. Driving, as well, utilizes YOUR car. If you're on a public road YOU paid tax dollars for, it IS a right in a sense. Flying, in every essence, is a privilege, unless its YOUR plane.

Of course flying is privelege not a right. Look up the Bill of Rights and show us where it mentions flying. I recall not too long ago being in a courtroom in the US where a judge took away someone's driver's license and told him "Driving is a privilege, not a right". Same goes for flying. Don't want to play by the airline/airport rules? Simple, don't fly. It's your right to choose.  

And the fact that I cam power on a device means that it is impossible to hide explosives in it? As I said: Plain stupid. On top of that they x-ray the device anyway

Actually, up until the last couple of years the bill of rights does not give us rights, it lists restrictions on our government.
Obviously our government has matured to a point where they no longer require any restrictions.

Your completely and total understanding of the Bill of Rights must be the document's name.

Absolutely everything that is not especified in your cute "Bill of Rights" is supposed to be a privilege then? My sides are flotating past Venus right now.

Amen. There is a whole lot of things in the world right now where people confuse the difference between right and privilege.

Wrong! Traveling, regardless of the used vector, is a right... in democratic Countries.

Nope. Travel with in your own country is a right. How you travel may or may not be. You do not have the right to get on a plane or drive a car. You must take a test to revive a license to drive said car on anything other than private land. Cant pass the test or do something dumb to lose the license you cant drive. That is a privilege not a right. Same goes for a plane. Take a taxi or an airlines plane that is someone else's property that you are paying for the privilege to use, don't follow their rules or pay their fee you can't get in the taxi or in the plane. Again privilege not a right. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness those are rights.

Nope. The goverment can take your right for liberty away, if you can't behave. In *some* countries you can even loose the right for life. And happiness, well, flying used to make me happy.

What if my battery is at 20% capacity, because it's already 3 years old? It will show its fully charged of course.... Makes no sense, but I'm not surprised.

Doesn't make much sense Until you're at 35.000 feet I know the feeling.

Fully charged seems an odd requirement, being able to power on should be enough. Yay for longer lines due to people not being prepared for things the entire time they are in line!

They probably just say fully charged so it won't be empty. But even that seems like a little too much for me, unless they have a power source there.

Won't help a lick

Really really stupid.. so if I have no power with my $600 phone they are just going to take it!!??  I am all for security but omg this is just too much!!  

You can just use these things called plugs to charge them while at the airport. Most airports have plugs available.

Do they also have cables available? i would also rather not just plug my usb port into US soil plugs

This isn't freedom, this is fear!

Right to the point! Since 9/11 everything we do seems to be based on fear and panic rather than on rational thinking and logic...

The terrorists have won!!!!! Their reason to exist is to cause terror. It seems to be working!!! Security is one thing, but if it based on fear, which it seems it is in the U.S., then it takes away any freedom whatsoever. Land of the free?? Yeah right!!!!

actually not the terrorists have won but the US government

Terrorists are still laughting at how easily they won at the whole terror thing. Remove your eyeballs to check if there's any kind of explosive behind, citizen.

Really? Fully charged? They better hold my flight of I have to wait until my battery is 100%...

The source article says nothing about being "fully" charged, just that it has to power up. WP Central should probably edit this article

As a TSA officer (I like to thank you guys for hate-spewing about our jobs), this article doesn't make sense. Since when did other countries have TSA? I thought TSA company was only for flights leaving the U.S.?

Well, let me tell you about your agency then. At international airports with flights heading to the US, one has to go through additional security checkpoints with, you guessed it: TSA personal.

#TrueStory

I flied 3 times to the US and never went through those stupid checks.

TSA can require airline security procedures for any flights that want to land in the US. Any country can do that (for example, I flew to Israel recently and they require that all passnegers will be in their seats 30 minutes before landing, no moving around). It's up to airlines to enforce. If they don't, they could lost the right to land in the US (although I'm sure that will be a long process and only if purposely ignoring these guidelines). The decision itself is as stupid as most TSA guidelines. 

When did TSA become officers?  Is this another form of control?  You guys are screeners, by definition.  There has been legislature to stop the attempted use of the word "Officer."  Your inability to properly define your position instills even less confidence in my ability to believe in the legitimacy of your job.
 

Look I could argue with you about the semantics about my job title. The fact is the define us as officers with a badge. I just work the job and enforce the rules, I dont make them. The reason they probably call us officers is because we all was sworn in.

I know you just doing your jobs....a couple of years ago i was picked for a thorough check....they found residue of explosives on my hands. Lol as a military instructor just coming from field training what do you expect. That joke cost me about three hours....and not even a cup of coffee. Six months later i had a couple of us militairy officers in my class for a exchange project ( partnership for peace ) well one of the first things i said was....your ass is mine....felt good though :)

They said the same 80 years ago in Germany :)

This is retarded. Most of the flights I've been on were at least 15 hours of flight + another 6 hours of waiting for my connecting flight. How the hell am I supposed to keep it fully charged? Most airports are notorious for not having power sockets for passengers.

I'm pretty sure the checkpoint is when you go through security before you get to the gate. So if you don't have your phone charged before you even enter through security, no go. Makes sense.

fully charged makes no sense at all. like yeah, i will bomb you away with my 50% charged phone.

Majority of European airports have checkpoints everywhere. When you land into European airport and have a connecting flight to US, you will go through security checkpoint even if you don't go through passport control. This is why this rule makes zero sense.

What do they mean by fully charged? 100%? 90%? 80%? What about those of us with a 1520? A 50% battery could easily last the duration of the flight.

Nevermind, apparently this Chuong H Nguyen misinterpreted the NBC News article. It doesn't state anywhere that the phone must be fully charged. It simply states charged up so that a security agent is able to see the phone turned on upon request. Not a big deal. Most people have at least some charge so they can communicate once they get off the plane. We used to have to show the phone to a security agent before 9/11 and then it was changed to have the phones run through the x-rays instead.

They better be careful! With all of these security enhancements at the airports, people may one day decide to just stop flying and transport other ways

I rather do miss the 70-something day trips across the Atlantic...lol =P

Nah, just stop flying to the USA lol

Does anyone know how to post a comment in YouTube ??? , I don't know :(

Are you seriously asking this question here ? Posted via Windows Phone Central App

Lmao.

Try to post a comment on YouTube smart guy

From your phone

next level fake and factitious security.

If the increased screening only covers EMEA flights, won't terrorists just take an indirect flight via a different route?

This is not new ... They have been doing it here in Saudi Arabia for years now ... Alongside the shoes & belts.

What about Asia, Central & South America ?

I've never understood this "precaution" for any electronic device.  I can't imagine a bomb-like device could cause that much damage when it's packed into something that small.  (Yeah, yeah, it COULD cause enough damage to decompress the plane, blah blah blah, BUT...)  Even if you HAD fit a bomb inside a larger device like a laptop, it would cause MORE damage detonating it INSIDE the terminal while it was "tested".  While a plane holds 250-ish people, there are AT LEAST that many people within 100ft waiting in line at the security checkpoints for multiple destinations (never mind the people who have already been screened and checked in).  Add to that the number of security personelle inside the blast radius at the checkpoint, the damage to the airport itself, and the chaos it would cause redirecting/grounding every flight in the area, and "testing" a device becomes a greater security RISK than letting them go!

Do yourself a favor, research the subject and then let the agents explain it to you when they come and pick you up... =P

Precisely what I want to know.

It's terrorism, any explosion anywhere, big it small creates terror, which is the point. Also, do some research buddy. You would be amazed at how much damage a small amount of the correct substance can do

I think it's spelled Al-Qaida
 

It's not Al-Qaeda? I'm confused... =s

Just searched wiki, turns out it can be spelled differently :o   Al-Qaeda (/ælˈkaɪdə/ al-KY-də; Arabic: القاعدة‎ al-qāʿidah, Arabic: [ælqɑːʕɪdɐ], translation: "The Base" and alternatively spelled al-Qaida and sometimes al-Qa'ida)

I'm from South Africa. We do not blow up other nations, so no one wants to blow us up. This is an American problem, apparently created by America.

Racist

Yeah such a peaceful area of the globe! Spam the entire planet, hijack ships, kidnap people, and killing people because their gay. But you don't blow people up, just shoot them in the head and kidnap small children.... Sounds quite peaceful...

Don't forget the white farmers, not so long ago....but I believe the poster means to say that south Africa doesn't interfere with the cat and mouse game of terror and terrorist.... The real terror is to let people live in fear....since 9/11 USA does everything and all under the name of terrorism....NSA etc etc...always wanting the best for the world and USA. In a country where almost every one can buy a gun and allowed to wear it. First clean out your own house then talk about your neighbours house. Multimillion dollars to the war industry and poverty in the backyard.... How long does it takes to bring a country on there knees when economics drops down. Bombs are not the weapons of the real terrorist....real terrorist uses politics just look at Europe all torn down by crazy ideas of even more crazier politician. Taxes are rising and poverty is growing. About 75 years ago one man created a black page on human history, the reason why people followed him was poverty, no jobs and no food.....history repeats it self, it only takes one man. But I believe I am going way of topic here. ;)

Great logic: I can power on my device = all safe. Not being able to power it on = dangerous. Not to mention that the device is being x-rayed anyway.

So if you all start a change.org petition and the measure is repealed, and then someone blows up a plane with your mom on it with a cellphone...

Thankfully the TSA has no jurisdiction outside of the US. American paranoia being forced down the throats of those of us who live in other countries.

Because, yeah, a 30 second computer boot or 1 second phone power on is SUCH an inconvenience.

I would be pretty annoyed if my phone happened to be out of battery when I was going through security and they took it off me. They need to have chargers/cables on hand to allow people to plug it in and turn it on if there phone is out of battery. 

I agree with this. But most people will charge while at the airport.
That reminds me. Have you all seen that portable Qi charger from Nokia? So awesome.

Could you please send me a link didnt see it. Thanks

This is new? I remember back in the mid 90s I had a CD Walkman that I was required to power on our else it wasn't allowed. Maybe it just wasn't required for international flights but definitely domestic within the US.

Everytime I read these kind of articles, I think of "Team America world Police". The US is such a weird place....

Funny idea. When I fly to the US from Europe, the TSA has no say in security checks. No shoes are taken off, liquid amounts are less strict (no Ziploc bags needed) small knives are regularly overlooked and they will certainly not be checking whether my electronics turn on. Security checkpoints at European airports are for all passengers travelling internationally. They will certainly not introduce separate checkpoints for US-bound flights. Ridiculous!

What? Yours must be the exception. ALL flights to the US follow special security protocols. When was the last time you flew?

The flights I take from Schiphol to the US have a second security check at the gate. TSA agents and rescanning based on US rules.

Absolutely not true. I have passed through many European airports and all of them have a separate TSA checkpoint at the gate for U.S. bound flights.

I am loving the entertaining comments. Who would of thought a TSA article would be so dramatic.

Who would have...

Relax people. I'm sure the multibillion-dollar national security budget will provide the airports with some $20 chargers. Especially with thousands of people that complain as much as you do going through the airports everyday. If they don't have them on day one, after a few days of people complaining Obama will head over to Radio Shack and pickup some chargers. 

My phone is never fully charged. What the hell are they thinking? Or is it just bad journalism?

Does it literally have to be "fully" charged? Or just enough to be able to turn on?

I think it has to be charged enough to get through the process

People, read the NBC sited article. It says nothing of "fully charged". Just that it turns on. Plus, it says "may" check.

I expected WP Central to be accurate...

WPCentral was once accurate, but they are becoming more and more like WMPoweruser

Oh wow this insane at least I know what to expect now

"When it coming to India?"

Lol.
"US only, as always!"

LMAO

Meh

Hilarious. What if I have an electronic device that doesn't have its own power source, like a mouse or some gaming peripherals? Or maybe a small mixer table? Those are still electronic devices, that needs to be connected to a computer/power socket. Even a portable phone charger is an electric device. Plain stupid.

This latest check seems a little pointless. What if the bomb inside the terrorist's device is programmed to detonate/initiate countdown after accessing a disguised app?

And wouldn't they find a bomb inside the phone in this case? Seems pointless indeed

Ha, you're right! What the smart terrorist would do, then, is have the phone set to go off when the agent turned it on! Jeez, this whole thing is goofy; I long for the "free-wheeling" laws of the '80's and '90's.

Wow, seems complex. Though I wouldn't care much about this

TSA is a waste of money... If they want to do something all they have to do is work around security... There are all kinds of people that bypass the screening... If this was to work no one should bypass the screening otherwise this is a huge waste of time and money period!

So if my phone is out of battery, I'm screwed?

The TSA MUST be abolished as their mere existence is a blatant violation of the fourth amendment of the constitution and the right to travel as defined in the articles of confederation. As Benjamin Franklin said, those who give up privacy in the name of security deserve neither.

The interesting part is that the terrorists attacks that happened on 9/11 were all performed on domestic flights....

Not only that, but they took over the planes with frigging box cutters and nothing that would go boom.

Explain to me what stops somebody coming into the USA and taking an internal flight and doing the same thing?

Hahahahah I like this point of view, so true!

You should read my post too lol

LMFAO.... Wow, they never fail Posted via Windows Phone Central App

They used to do this years ago right after 9/11. Now they think its a good idea? Who's running that outfit anyway?

In the words of an old Stranglers song... "Stay in your homes, stay in your homes. Be off the streets by nightfall." Paranoid craziness........

So tell me. If I'm a terrorist and that my tablet is a disguised bomb. That means that when I will be prompted to power on my tablet the whole place could explode??? Wow, knowing that will make us all nervous while waiting in line next to a kamikaze!

One time I asked a TSA person why they needed to see my id with my boarding pass. They told me to see if people where on a no fly list. The TSA dude was standing at a podium with no computer. So I said, oh so you have this list memorized? He never answered back. So pointless.

I've never been asked for my ID when passing through security at an American or Canadian airport. This only happens if someone has already passed through security with the same ticket (which happens a lot due to mis-printing) and they also ask for ID or a passport whern boarding the aircraft. Obviously a passport is required when going through customs. In Europe I was asked for my passport at numerous checkpoints throughout the airport.

Safety is the first priority. Hooah to this decision.

So now I bet since if you have zero battery, you are screwed, they will start conveinantly having pay charge stations.  Watch.  

Also, this step will not catch anything that can't be caught by the xray. They are just chipping away at our privacy intent on slowly turning us into Nazi Germany. It is only a matter of time before the IRS tries to get tea partiers killed because they have different political views.

There's one reason this doesn't make sense that no-one has really picked up on... the flights have to be in-bound to the US - from another country where the TSA has no presence, no ability to check if this rule has been enforced for those passengers, and not really any authority in those countries to enforce it.
And considering that the security checkpoint in international terminals is a catch-all (rather than a security checkpoint for each individual destination), most airport security staff aren't going to check the boarding pass of each passenger to see if they're heading to the US and then ask to prove that their phone, tablet, laptop (and anything else) power on. So really, another security measure put in place with no real thought.

Exactly what I was thinking. Airport security isn't destination specific, so how can addition restrictions such as these be enforced?

Wow.  So if your battery dies you have to cancel your vacation.  They think this is security?  TSA is stupid.

How is TSA going to do that? TSA is within the US and US territory? And security outside of the US is commonly manage by private security company? Remember is not what you say, is how you say it.

TSA is a system of control. Its not designed to keep anyone safe. It's designed to instill fear and compliancy to authority, because the demands of authority will get more and outrageous and they don't want anyone to challenge them when a potbellied TSA perv decides the cute blonde needs a strip search.

This is dumb. If this is a case than all a threat would have to do is have a functional device that is still a bomb and then it would work.

al Quada? you mean the CIA. How stupid.

I don't get all the indignation.  I understand the irritation around the inconvenience of it, but it doesn't take looking back too far to see examples of people getting their plans upended and creating a tizzy due to terrorist warnings. http://www.kpbs.org/news/2014/jun/10/western-countries-issue-warnings-kenyan-tourism/ Do recall these warnings were issued before any major attacks in Kenya...they weren't reactionary. http://www.click2houston.com/news/At-least-22-people-killed-in-Kenya-attacks/26813732 Believe it or not often times the information they get is credible, and they are on the lookout for specific targets/weapons.  I have no problem sucking it up and dealing with the added inconvenience of proving my phone turns on.  Look on the bright side - they'll need to put a ton of additional charging stations all over the airport to deal with this.  Otherwise do as some have said and invest $20 in a portable charger ;-)

I am all for security at airports and the TSA for the most part is a deterrent. None at all would surely put innocent passengers at risk from the bad guys. My problem with the TSA is their attitude and the way they conduct themselves. On a number of occasions I have seen questionable behavior towards travelers from the TSA. The problem is, who watches the watchers, some people see authority and instantly assume they have no rights. Posted via Windows Phone Central App

I totally agree with you. Alot of them do have bad attitudes but that's common with any job dealing with the public. It pisses me of all the time when i travel and there are people in front of me who can't seem to follow simple rules and instructions. So i can totally understand why alot of them are in bad moods. It's like having to repeat yourself to a child that just won't listen ALL DAY. I'd be in a bad mood too lol

I think that WinPhone owners should be exempt from this rule. Nobody knows that Windows Phones even exist. The chance that terrorists will buy and use Nokia Lumia is big ZERO. Especially after that terrible first Lumia 930 commercial

*Al-Qaeda. 2nd paragraph

Seems pointless... Why would a terrorist planning to blow up him- or herself on a plane, and capable of getting an effective explosive into a can the size of a mobile phone, NOT make it have a functional display? As ridiculous as the shoe thing; why bother hiding 20 ml of explosive liquid in your shoes when you can carry ten 100 ml bottles in your carry-on luggage? And what's with asking passengers if they're planning any terrorist activities during their stay in the US on those pamphlets they require you to fill out? Are they actually expecting any would-be terrorist to be honest?!? These extra "security features" are an illusion; they don't make our travels any safer - they're just a nuisance to millions of ordinary people.

This is one is those times I am glad to live in South America with is minimal "Muslim terrorism OMG!!!" problems

Never met a Jose sorry I'm Canadian not much Spanish up here.

I don't see how if a phone that doesn't turn on is a problem

The phones' internal parts could be replaced be with something dangerous, like explosives maybe?

The TSA tramples a persons personal rights all under the guise of safety... It's time they just called it a day and employed racist tactics. It's a sad truth because really only one race and religion has been bombing and hijacking planes... Politically correct? Nope. More effective than status quo? You betcha.

If terrorists are smart enough to put a bomb into a cellphone they are as well smart enough to read the news and adapt: they just need to add a dumb "hello world" screen to their bombs. Not too effective measure.

So if your battery is dead or your phone won't boot, the TSA gets a free device?
That will go over really well. I can see the outrage and police showing up already.
Posted via Windows Phone Central App