New aviation security measures

[Janet]

The UK government has announced new aviation security measures in a written ministerial statement on aviation security that was submitted to the House of Commons on 8 July. The measures are in line with US advice issued in response to intelligence of potential terrorist threats from the middle east. It applies to all flights in and out of the UK, including to and from Spain, though the government will not specify which routes are affected.

The government says that travellers may now be required to show that electronic devices in their hand luggage are powered up or they face not being allowed to bring the device onto the aircraft. Such travellers themselves then could face additional screening. Passengers flying into or out of the UK are therefore advised to make sure that electronic devices being carried in their hand luggage are charged before they travel.

Anyone whose electronic devices aren't charged will have the option of paying for a courier service to send the device to a given address. JA

[Nova]

So if the authorities are not sufficiently satisfied about the safety of the device to allow it on a flight, they will courier the potential bomb to any address of your choosing?  That sounds like as effective a terrorism strategy as blowing up a plane....

[Janet]

I think it's to the person's home address, but presumably "home" has a different meaning to a would-be suicide bomber ...

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

More security theatre.  How long before the rest of us are required to travel naked with our arms in the air while muslims are allowed to sail through in their burkas and baggy clothes?

[Delderek]

Strange. I always thought they had the right to demand you power up your laptop, and indeed I had to do so years ago. Presumably now extended to smaller devices.

[Michael]

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would travel with an uncharged phone. 

[Nova]

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would travel with an uncharged phone. 

I was delayed 7 hours at Manchester a few years ago due to snow.  Trying to pass the time I ran out the batteries completely on both my netbook and my Nintendo DS and ended up boarding finally with only about 20% left on my phone and two other devices that wouldn't have switched on for love nor money.  Although I woulld always aim to set out with well-charged devices it wouldn't be at all strange if at least one of my devices were run down if there had been any kind of delay.  I can imagine, for example, anyone who takes a National Express coach to the airport could easily use up their tablet's battery on the coach journey before they even got to the airport.  Anything like me they'd take multiple devices so that when one runs out of battery they still have a couple more to entertain them in the hope that one might last through the flight as well 

[Marion]

I had to show them me taking a picture on my camera many years ago when it was old fashioned spools.

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

And sometimes people forget or lose their chargers.

[Guanche]

The thing is. Having been air side at a couple of airports I have a fairly good understanding about whats what in airports. And having been on more than a few, lets say 'security courses' I would say I am more knowledgeable than most, all be it a bit out of date.
So I have to ask why on earth would the known 'Threat' bother with a tiny moblie phone IED or even a laptop when they expect and even wish to die in the explosion. Suffice to say its not what people carry on the aircraft that bothers me but what they put in the hold.

Coupled with that whats so special about an aircraft? There are softer targets that spring to mind.

Sorry I've probably put the forum on some CIA watch list now!!