Originally Posted by
lexi
Press Office
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Press Release
May 17, 2017
Contact: DHS Press Office, 202-282-8010
JOINT STATEMENT BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND DHS ON AVIATION SECURITY COOPERATION
BRUSSELS – Today, European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, and European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, hosted a delegation from the United States in Brussels, led by Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, to discuss issues related to aviation security and safety.
At the meeting, both sides exchanged information on the serious evolving threats to aviation security and approaches to confronting such threats. Participants provided insight into existing aviation security standards and detection capabilities as well as recent security enhancements on both sides of the Atlantic related to large electronic devices placed in checked baggage.
The United States and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely together on aviation security generally, including meeting next week in Washington D.C. to further assess shared risks and solutions for protecting airline passengers, whilst ensuring the smooth functioning of global air travel.
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The way I am reading this release is that they haven't come to a final agreement yet. But there is a lot you can glean from this simple statement.
1) Its a joint statement meaning both sides agreed to the contents.
2) Nothing has been finalized.
3) They have agreed that what ever comes from this will apply equally to both the EU and the US.
4) The hang up is in the checking of large numbers of large electronic devices.
What I gather from this is that the US went in and said a phone only, the EU said bull.... More information was shared and both sides agreed that something more than a phone was reasonable, but less than if you can carry you can bring it. This leans more towards the idea that the regulation will be some in cabin electronics likely phone and a laptop, but also allowing for some amount of carriage of the items in the hold.
The fact that they are meeting again next week in DC means that we won't likely see new rules for at least another week. However, it does indicated that there will be restrictions coming. The longer this drags out the better it is for us. However, the cynic in me thinks that maybe the EU folks wanted one last trip to the US with their laptops before the ban hits.
The other thing that I like seeing in the release is the "whilst ensuring the smooth functioning of global air travel."