Last edit by: starflyergold
As of 5 July 2017 personal electronics can again be brought into the cabin on flights to the US. The UK was lifted at the end of July.
Which items are affected?
The US rule is broad and wide-ranging, affecting almost anything that is not a phone.
"Electronic devices larger than a cell phone/smart phone will not be allowed to be carried onboard the aircraft in carry-on luggage or other accessible property." Anything larger will have to go in checked luggage in the hold.
The US DHS gave a list of examples, but said it was not exhaustive:
- Laptops
- Tablets
- E-readers
- Cameras
- Portable DVD players
- Electronic game units larger than a smartphone
- Travel printers/scanners
The rules apply to all flights originating from Turkey to the US or UK, and apply to those who started their journey outside of Turkey and are connecting at IST.
The UK rules are set out here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/a...ghts-to-the-uk.
electronics ban on US/UK bound flights [now lifted]
#61
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
...I use a CPAP too.... the laptop was bad but the CPAP pretty much put flying TK back to the states a 'no go' for me... replacing a stolen or broken CPAP would be a MEGA hassle as it involves medical insurance, doctor prescriptions for it, etc. I have no problem handing it over for the flight as long as I know I'll get it back at the end safe and in working condition.
In any case, kudos to TK for taking what steps they can to mitigate the impact.
#62
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
Just boarded IST-SFO (not connecting).
At check-in they asked about electronics. I said I had a laptop, but that I wanted to check it at the gate, and they were ok with that and let me proceed. No further checks at security as expected (via the direct lounge entrance).
At the gate (219, as is often used for security sensitive flights) they were doing a full security check on almost all passengers - exactly the same as for my flight to TLV a few weeks ago (shoes off, pat down, explosives swab, etc). I actually scored SSSS (extra screening) on my boarding pass and they didn't do anything extra so I presume everyone was getting the full treatment by default. A few people got lesser treatment based on something on their boarding pass (Precheck-ish?) but the number was small.
When they saw I had a laptop in my bag they then took me over to another desk where they were checking them. I had purchased a cheap laptop bag last night for protection, but after some discussion they decided it was better not to use it. Instead they individually wrapped all items (for me, laptop, tablet) in bubblewrap bags, affixed hand-filled "rush" luggage tags, and then put them into a hard-sided suitcase (standard ~30" suitcases, not anything special) which had large Turkish Airlines labels on them.
The person in front of me had a SLR camera and an iPad and got exactly the same treatment.
Other than being slow, the process worked, and I've got at least some confidence my items will get to San Francisco safely. I'll report back after I arrive in SFO as to what they procedure is there...
Apparently there are 20 flights per day that are affected, including both US and UK flight.
At check-in they asked about electronics. I said I had a laptop, but that I wanted to check it at the gate, and they were ok with that and let me proceed. No further checks at security as expected (via the direct lounge entrance).
At the gate (219, as is often used for security sensitive flights) they were doing a full security check on almost all passengers - exactly the same as for my flight to TLV a few weeks ago (shoes off, pat down, explosives swab, etc). I actually scored SSSS (extra screening) on my boarding pass and they didn't do anything extra so I presume everyone was getting the full treatment by default. A few people got lesser treatment based on something on their boarding pass (Precheck-ish?) but the number was small.
When they saw I had a laptop in my bag they then took me over to another desk where they were checking them. I had purchased a cheap laptop bag last night for protection, but after some discussion they decided it was better not to use it. Instead they individually wrapped all items (for me, laptop, tablet) in bubblewrap bags, affixed hand-filled "rush" luggage tags, and then put them into a hard-sided suitcase (standard ~30" suitcases, not anything special) which had large Turkish Airlines labels on them.
The person in front of me had a SLR camera and an iPad and got exactly the same treatment.
Other than being slow, the process worked, and I've got at least some confidence my items will get to San Francisco safely. I'll report back after I arrive in SFO as to what they procedure is there...
Apparently there are 20 flights per day that are affected, including both US and UK flight.
#65
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
#66
#68
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 435
Just boarded IST-SFO (not connecting).
At check-in they asked about electronics. I said I had a laptop, but that I wanted to check it at the gate, and they were ok with that and let me proceed. No further checks at security as expected (via the direct lounge entrance).
At the gate (219, as is often used for security sensitive flights) they were doing a full security check on almost all passengers - exactly the same as for my flight to TLV a few weeks ago (shoes off, pat down, explosives swab, etc). I actually scored SSSS (extra screening) on my boarding pass and they didn't do anything extra so I presume everyone was getting the full treatment by default. A few people got lesser treatment based on something on their boarding pass (Precheck-ish?) but the number was small.
When they saw I had a laptop in my bag they then took me over to another desk where they were checking them. I had purchased a cheap laptop bag last night for protection, but after some discussion they decided it was better not to use it. Instead they individually wrapped all items (for me, laptop, tablet) in bubblewrap bags, affixed hand-filled "rush" luggage tags, and then put them into a hard-sided suitcase (standard ~30" suitcases, not anything special) which had large Turkish Airlines labels on them.
The person in front of me had a SLR camera and an iPad and got exactly the same treatment.
Other than being slow, the process worked, and I've got at least some confidence my items will get to San Francisco safely. I'll report back after I arrive in SFO as to what they procedure is there...
Apparently there are 20 flights per day that are affected, including both US and UK flight.
At check-in they asked about electronics. I said I had a laptop, but that I wanted to check it at the gate, and they were ok with that and let me proceed. No further checks at security as expected (via the direct lounge entrance).
At the gate (219, as is often used for security sensitive flights) they were doing a full security check on almost all passengers - exactly the same as for my flight to TLV a few weeks ago (shoes off, pat down, explosives swab, etc). I actually scored SSSS (extra screening) on my boarding pass and they didn't do anything extra so I presume everyone was getting the full treatment by default. A few people got lesser treatment based on something on their boarding pass (Precheck-ish?) but the number was small.
When they saw I had a laptop in my bag they then took me over to another desk where they were checking them. I had purchased a cheap laptop bag last night for protection, but after some discussion they decided it was better not to use it. Instead they individually wrapped all items (for me, laptop, tablet) in bubblewrap bags, affixed hand-filled "rush" luggage tags, and then put them into a hard-sided suitcase (standard ~30" suitcases, not anything special) which had large Turkish Airlines labels on them.
The person in front of me had a SLR camera and an iPad and got exactly the same treatment.
Other than being slow, the process worked, and I've got at least some confidence my items will get to San Francisco safely. I'll report back after I arrive in SFO as to what they procedure is there...
Apparently there are 20 flights per day that are affected, including both US and UK flight.
#69
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,147
About 30 mins after I had arrived (about 45 after the plane door opened) the baggage carousel started up, and at the same time they rolled out the 2 bags of electronics which then then started unloading onto the floor behind the table. As I was at the start of the line they found my 2 first - made more difficult by the fact that wrapped in bubblewrap bags they all looked almost exactly the same!
After finding them, they confirm the tag on the item against the stub I had, as well as checking my passport to confirm the name matched, and then had me sign the same sheet of paper I'd signed in IST when dropping it.
The worrying part was that they stated that the bags had been opened after they were dropped off, and thus they asked me to also check that the item was actually correct. I couldn't tell if they had actually been opened, and have no way of knowing if they attempted to try and boot my computer or not. (It has an encrypted hard disk, so stops at that prompt almost as soon as it's powered on).
Other than the fact that even over 2 hours after landing my metal-case laptop is still almost too cold to hold, both devices appear to have survived without any issues at all.
#70
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 926
Thanks for the feedback! The process has to many potential flaws where things can go wrong on the arrival side for my liking. Also the case/box/bag currently used doesn't give me confidence against damage or theft. I will be checking-in my stuff to my own luggage...
BTW, compared to QR/EK, TK seems to be better organized, I am in shock
BTW, compared to QR/EK, TK seems to be better organized, I am in shock
#72
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA 1K MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 435
Thank you very much docbert, I'll be in the exact flight home April 8th.
Hope you get some rest and I'll be sure to share my experiences here if anything is better/same/ or worst than your experiences..
Hope you get some rest and I'll be sure to share my experiences here if anything is better/same/ or worst than your experiences..
#74
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: EUG BKK
Programs: Zero Status Nexus
Posts: 432
Wonder how TK will handle the electronics at check in at LOS with an IST connection to SFO? Hope I can carry them onboard in LOS and then gate check them in IST for SFO. Glad to see TK offering a gate solution for the time being. Thanks to all who posted their experiences with this ban.
#75
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 13