Originally Posted by
tornado163
Does this effect all electronic devices? On a recent trip to the UK, I nearly bought an old video game console at a retro game store since it was a very good price. I didn't have the power converter on me, would have configured it when I got to the US. So if I do that on my next trip, my console would be confiscated because I didn't have the power cables to turn it on? Or because I didn't have a TV to attach the console to? I wouldn't trust it in checked baggage because it's valuable and I want to keep it with me.
So are we at the point where we need to Fedex our belongings to ourselves before fly?
This is all a strong-arm marketing ploy to force airports worldwide to buy new devices from a TSA-backed company (with a former DHS employee on the Board, surprise, surprise).
TSA has very recently announced that they have a company ready to supply devices (at a special jacked-up extortionate price just for taxpayers here and abroad, plus no doubt a premium for quicker delivery) that is designed to screen electronic devices for traces of explosives and drugs.
This is manna from heaven for this TSA-backed company - these devices will not only be installed at all checkpoints, they'll have to be installed in all baggage screening areas.
Non-US countries do not HAVE to buy these devices, of course, but if any of their flights go directly to or fly over the US, their only other alternative is to manually power up all phones, laptops and tablets, whether they are in carry-on or checked bags.
Seriously...what do you think they're going to do?