TSA Prohibiting Powerless Electronic Devices On Flights

By: Ben Schlappig

Updated: July 6, 2014
Published: July 6, 2014

19 comments

Last week, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson directed TSA to implement enhanced security measures at certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States.

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As the traveling public knows, all electronic devices are screened by security officers. During the security examination, officers may also ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. The traveler may also undergo additional screening.

TSA will continue to adjust security measures to ensure that travelers are guaranteed the highest levels of aviation security conducted as conveniently as possible.

So yeah, I guess be sure you charge your electronic devices before going through security on US-bound flights. Interesting…

(Tip of the hat to Tocqueville)

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meegabroad Member

July 8, 2014, 6:46 pm

Just flew LHR-ORD on BA295 and was warned to get to the gate early because of the whole Apple/Samsung inspection kerfuffle. No one was at all interested in my electronics in the first security screening, and I witnessed no further investigations at the gate. There was a guy at the entrance to the jetway that looked ready to inspect, but it was clearly a random inspection kind of thing.

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Ivan Y Diamond

July 8, 2014, 9:32 am

@ everyone -- it seems like this is for international airports only so we can't really blame TSA personnel for this. But the thought that they (international security) can't tell a valid electronic device from a bomb is kind of strange. Guess now before a return journey everyone should add another item to a mental checklist: charge all your devices.

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Hmm Guest

July 7, 2014, 11:29 pm

Looks like those dumbass minimum wage screeners actually can't tell if a device is a bomb or something else. Looks like we have great technology at airports....or is it something more sinister to hike up fees at airports to help the profits of airlines?

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tsasmurf Guest

July 7, 2014, 4:50 pm

@Scott: New device you say? Did you pack it yourself? Look it here, the thing won't turn on. Why I do believe we have a security violation here! I'm a gonna give this one to jenny, my 5th niece. Hopefully a lot of business people and government employees will get there laptops and electronics snatched, and maybe they'll start complaining. This also tells me TSA is unable to determine if something inside an electronics case is a bomb, .i.e they can't detect bombs inside electronics. Nice.

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Gotta Be Kidding Guest

July 7, 2014, 7:22 am

I dropped my laptop on one trip and it broke. But I was able to fix it because I had insurance from square trade. Does this mean that now they will not let me take it home and I would be out a $1,000 laptop. Unbelievable.

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