Originally Posted by
kirker
1. The only reason I mentioned anything whatsoever about my race or nationality was to point out the unlikelihood that my laptop confiscation was related to Trump's travel ban.
This has nothing to do with Trump so let's stay out of politics and the OMNI/PR (which is where threads go to slowly die in a painful way).
Originally Posted by
kirker
2. One of the main points of my post was to try to determine which entity -- QR, HIA security, or the TSA -- is the responsible party here in terms of a) who physically has my laptop right now (sounds like HIA has it) and b) which one of the three, if any, could be relied upon to return it.
Didn't they tell you?
Originally Posted by
kirker
3. I mistakenly omitted it from my OP, but the QR gate agent specifically noted that there's been a significant increase in tensions between QR reps and Hamad security as of late.
This isn't the case here. Having to show that electronics work is a very common security rule. AFAIK the rule started out at a time where explosives were hidden in electronics.
Originally Posted by
kirker
What I was not aware of was the fact that this rule also applies to laptops.
Laptops are electronics. You know that, right?
Originally Posted by
kirker
to power-on a large and expensive device like a laptop, or subsequently refused to allow a laptop on board.
Again. Every electronic device is subjected to this rule. There's no exemption for large and/or expensive devices.
Originally Posted by
kirker
Laptops cannot be employed for this purpose, nor has anyone (AFAIK) ever attempted such a thing.
How about Pan Am 103? A bomb was hidden in a cassette player (The investigators concluded that after West German police forces seized a nearly identical bomb that hadn't yet be used).
A laptop would probably be similar in size and could be used for similar purposes. If you get the density right, there's probably not way from telling it apart from the internal batteries. Powering up and testing usability of the device is one way to limit the risk.
Originally Posted by
kirker
Further, there's a significant degree of difference between confiscating something like an inexpensive digital camera -- which is an inconvenience, but also not necessarily a major loss -- and a full-blown computer with thousands of files on it
I bet that my camera is worth more than your laptop. I usually have 3 or 4 lenses in my carry-on and a camera body with thousands of pictures on it.
Just because something is expensive or has lots of files on it, doesn't exonerate it from safety rules (even if you disagree on the usefulness of these rules)
Originally Posted by
kirker
My bad for spending so much of my travel time working with NGOs in Laos trying to disarm ...
Now you're just showing off and I'm starting to get why this security check went so horribly wrong for you. With such an attitude, it was obvious that you wouldn't get far with Middle Eastern security guys.
Originally Posted by
kirker
... while the Apple Store repaired my computer!
Just for the sake of being complete and showing off my nerd skills. You probably could've get the laptop going again. Holding down the command button while booting up allows you to start in recovery mode and at the very least reinstall the OS completely.
Only problems the recovery mode can't solve is a) HDD/SSD failures and b) hardware failures that prevent the laptop from booting to the "gong".
Re: the documents on the laptop, I recommend getting a cheap external HDD to do backups. These disks are very inexpensive and invaluable the day you have to use them.
Originally Posted by
kirker
Well, as others pointed out on the thread, the enhanced-inspection order apparently came from the U.S., which means my Global Entry status is directly relevant.
Compare that to this
Originally Posted by Wikipedia or any other website (common sense included)
Global Entry is a program of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to receive expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States.
GE is an immigration program. TSA doesn't do immigration. Security checks have nothing to do with immigration.
And other programs that allow expedited clearance at security checkpoints (e.g. TSA Pre )
do not exempt from complying with security rules.
Originally Posted by
kirker
TSA doesn't ever inspect my laptop inside the US, so why on earth would they order a foreign airport to do so outside of it
That they haven't done it yet, doesn't mean that they won't do it.
In the last 25 years I haven't been stopped for speeding. If you think that that implies that I haven't been speeding during that time I have bad news for you.
Originally Posted by
kirker
particularly given my pre-clearance as a low-threat traveler?
1) What has your pre-clearance to do with HIA security checks?
2) Your pre-clearance does not exempt you for abiding to security rules.
Originally Posted by
kirker
coats/jackets.) Logically, if I'm not suspect, my devices shouldn't be suspect, either.
In other words : Someone with TSA Pre carrying a firearm through security shouldn't be suspect because he has pre-clearance?
Originally Posted by
kirker
Would it be possible in theory to enlist the help of a third party -- while I don't personally know anyone in Doha, I have friends who do -- to retrieve the laptop from HIA? Does anyone have any positive stories to relate about HIA or QR staff? Once again, any device you could provide would be much appreciated.
That's probably up to the staff in HIA to decide. IMO it should be possible to give a friend or a person you trust a proxy by which you authorise them to retrieve your laptop (be sure to include the S/N and details of the computer) along with a copy of your passport and a proof of property (e.g. the receipt you received by Apple or the reseller that sold you the device).
I would however try getting in contact with whoever effectively has your laptop first and make your they will accept such a procedure.
PS: Don't take my post as offensive. It isn't supposed to be. I'm just trying to clarify the situation regarding the electronics rules to avoid further inconvenience. I do sincerely hope that you get reunited with your laptop. Having 50,000 pictures, 200 hrs of music, very important data and emails on my laptop I do feel your pain of having it taken away.