U.S. mulls banning most electronics on flights to Europe, United Kingdom

[brooklynite]

Source: CBS News

The U.S. is considering expanding a ban on most carry-on electronic devices larger than a cellphone on U.S.-bound flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and North Africa to "likely" include flights departing the U.S. for Europe and the United Kingdom.

Department of Homeland Security officials are currently still weighing the advantages of expanding the ban against possible disruptions it will cause. Government officials have been meeting with U.S. airlines on a nearly weekly basis and intend to do so again later this week. Officials don't expect an announcement before Wednesday, but say a decision could come in the next few weeks.

DHS officials have maintained since the initial electronics ban was announced in March that the policy was under active discussion and could be expanded.

The Transportation Security Administration told CBS News in a statement, "We have not made any decisions on expanding the electronics ban; however, we are continuously assessing security directives based on intelligence and will make changes when necessary to keep travelers safe."

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-electronics-ban-flights-europe-united-kingdom-possibly-expanding/

[kimbutgar]

1. They really want to destroy our international airline industry travel

I hope the push back from the domestic Airlines is vigorous.

[IronLionZion]

2. Trumpers don't travel?

They want to punish business people and others who travel and use laptops, right? Put them in their place?

Former top TSA officials indicate to CBS News that a laptop ban has been at least discussed for well over a year dating back to an attack on a Somali airliner. The sense then was a total or widespread ban was impractical and would lead to outcry from business travelers who may elect not to travel if they can't work on board.

Further issues include the amount of sensitive personal and professional information stored on laptops and tablets that would be suddenly forced into checked bags and the steep increase in the number of lithium-ion batteries in the cargo hold, which presents its own danger.

They don't feel confident screening stuff leaving the US because?

[Retrograde]

4. The ones who count have their own planes (n/t)

[IronLionZion]

11. There has to be middle class Trumpers in between?

They can't just be coal miners and bankers

[tenorly]

27. Trump and his kleptocrats couldn't care less about their middle-class voters

In fact as sadists, they probably enjoy the idea of screwing them hardest.

[dalton99a]

3. More crazy shit every day

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

5. So remind me of all the planes hijacked

or falling out of the skies because of carry on electronic devices?

This is total horseshit. Like the idiotic ban on liquids, as if it's really that easy to mix chemicals together to create a bomb.

Although, to be brutally honest, if we wanted totally safe flights, passengers would be stripped, cavity searched, and then allowed to don disposable body coverings of some sort. No carry on at all. Each and every piece of checked luggage will be secured inside its very own bomb-proof container. Okay, so this might drive up the cost of tickets just a bit, and will probably tend to slow the check in and boarding process just a bit, but no reason why passengers can't be required to be at the airport eight hours ahead of departure.

Jeez. Pretty soon it will come to this.

[mountain grammy]

6. Exactly!

[Doreen]

7. So first we have a ban on using our phones while in flight

because the government got upset when the "peasants" found out that their loved ones were dying before they did because they called them just before they died on 9/11. NOW, they are going to take away our other devices which there are some people who work on them during their long flights for their jobs. Business class would become a thing of the past because no one could use it. They will now expect people to put their devices in check on and risk some of their crappy workers to man handle the bags and break them or steal them, or have someone who can break into sensitive information on said device. I also assume they will start charging extra for having the "responsibility" for having them in check on even though they will take no better care of them than any other bags that they just throw around. There are a lot of people who also take tablets with them to entertain their children making their and others flying experience a little more pleasant because less whinny children to contend with. What complete assholes.

"Please come fly our unfriendly skies" should be their new motto.

[Calista241]

12. I personally don't mind the ban on phone usage during a flight.

Imagine sitting next to someone blathering on the phone about whatever for 3 hours. Please shoot me.

The ban on other electronics, like laptops and iPads is bullshit though.

[Doreen]

18. I do understand the talking on the phone part except calling if you are about to die.

There are some business people who actually have meetings for work while on the plane and that will hurt their work.

[tammywammy]

19. The FAA banned cell phone calls on airplanes in 1991.

I'm not sure why you're bringing up 9/11.

[Doreen]

20. Oh, my mistake. I just remember how upset some of the

homeland security was when people called their loved ones just before they died. I heard on some newscast that they should not have called. I just thought it was wrong for them to feel that the ones who called should not have. Because of their statements I thought that was why the cell phones were banned from being used.

[Hekate]

8. My iPad Mini has been a treasure for travel, and they want me to let it be stolen out of my bag?

Likewise other people's computers? This is stupid, stupid, stupid.

One guy -- ONE GUY -- was nuts enough to try to light his own shoe on fire and now everybody has to take off their shoes. ONE guy blew up his own crotch and now we ALL have to submit to X-rays and ritual groping.

Our luggage is "randomly" searched -- yeah, sure, and the wrong lock was put back on my bag and I had to have them cut it off with a bolt cutter. I put NOTHING in my checked bag that anyone would want to steal, because I know damn well that stuff gets lifted all the time.

Now they want to take away our business tools, games, books, and children's entertainment? Just shoot me now.

[jmowreader]

9. Oh well...I guess I really didn't want to take a European vacation anyway

[mnhtnbb]

10. I am very glad we have just returned from probably our last European vacation

and that we made the trip when we did.

The crap that we go through now is ridiculous--both my husband (74) and I (66) routinely get groped because
of our hip replacements, and I can tell you the groping is definitely worse than it used to be.

I told my husband--many times on this last two week trip to France--that all I want to do these days is take a bag of
books and go to the beach. We have been fortunate in our 32 years together to have been able to travel quite a bit.
I would have loved to have seen Tahiti, but other than that, can't think of anywhere I haven't been that I will regret
not having gone on my deathbed.

I am done flying. Domestically, too. We have a flight later this month to go to our youngest son's MFA graduation,
and that's it. If I can't get there on the train or driving, I'm not going. I am so sick of airlines and TSA and all the
bullshit.

[Doreen]

21. You think your groping was bad.

My blind friend's dog got fingers stuck up her ass to search for drugs. This was like more than 30 years ago also. I feel for you also because that sucks but if they are willing to do that to a poor guide dog it scares me what they will do to humans.

[politicat]

23. If you're gonna do it, take a month, spend several days on a ship.

Cunard still runs transatlantic routes. Yeah, it's 5-6 days on a ship each way, but if you've got the time, it's a great trip, even in steerage, and the cost is not exorbitant. (I priced it out because I was planning to go to the Waterloo 200 year anniversary and re-enactment in 2015. It was about 10% more expensive by train and ship than air, plus the extra time. I had to cancel the trip when my grandmother had a stroke and I found out she'd made me responsible for her, but the cost was reasonable -- about 4500 to fly and 5000 for the ship.) And no jet lag, because you adjust an hour each day.

Or cross the northern border and fly out of Toronto/Montreal.

But... what's prompting this? It's weird as hell, and it makes no sense. It sounds more like somebody's hearing some chatter and reacting (perhaps ISIS throwing chaff?)

[HughBeaumont]

13. Look for this to happen on domestic flights too . . .

. . . so when their goons assault passengers bloody, it won't be filmed.

"Video or it didn't happen!"

[Initech]

14. How the fuck is that going to make us safer?? Has the TSA gone crazy?

[Baconator]

15. The TSA is the bottom of the security totem pole...

... Like the part buried in the dirt.

That's where you go when you've failed to join every other kind of security organization. Cop, Army, federal etc...

That applies to management as well btw...

They are truly awful and serve as nothing more than visual theater for people to feel 'safer'.

[Turbineguy]

16. The return of ocean liners?

And trains in the US.

[mnhtnbb]

22. The Trump regime has proposed extreme CUTS to Amtrak that would end up

eliminating a couple hundred communities from having any train service. The only train service they are interested in expanding
is the central/north east coast. It's completely backasswards.

We are SO far behind other major countries in train service. So far behind.

[Turbineguy]

24. It was more meant in jest.

Trump has no policy other than creating chaos. It's how you get ratings on reality shows.

[spiderpig]

17. I haven't been in an airport in 8 years

And I worked in the industry for 30, often flying up to 3x a week.

We have reached unimaginable stages of ridiculousness. If I want to be tortured, I'll watch an old Stallone movie.

Meanwhile, I'll stay at home with the dog and watch V for Vendetta. That's where we're headed - fast.

[brooklynite]

25. UPDATE: U.S. to Ban Laptops in All Cabins of Flights From Europe, Officials Say

Daily Beast

The Department of Homeland Security will ban laptops in the cabins of all flights from Europe to the United States, European security officials told The Daily Beast. The announcement is expected Thursday.

Initially a ban on laptops and tablets was applied only to U.S.-bound flights from 10 airports in North Africa and the Middle East. The ban was based on U.S. fears that terrorists have found a way to convert laptops into bombs capable of bringing down an airplane. It is unclear if the European ban will also apply to tablets.

DHS said in a statement to The Daily Beast:

“No final decisions have been made on expanding the restriction on large electronic devices in aircraft cabins; however, it is under consideration. DHS continues to evaluate the threat environment and will make changes when necessary to keep air travelers safe.”

[LisaM]

26. Doesn't bother me in the least.

Maybe this will encourage airlines to put in more TV monitors for individual seats.

[brooklynite]

28. or...they'll just save money by cutting out the wifi.

[LisaM]

30. Does it cost them? The airlines I fly charge for it. $10.

However, most people need to be entertained by some sort of screen these days (I'm find with crossword puzzles, a couple of books, and some drinks), so they might have antsy passengers if they can't bring out a device. The in-flight TV screens often have games on them, too.

[alarimer]

29. Everything will be broken and/or stolen.

It will be a field day for the thieves among baggage handlers.

To say nothing of how badly they throw around the luggage.

This is based on nothing but bullshit.