ND Sol

I know that at the beginning of last month there was a "concern" that terrorists may try to disguises explosives as everyday electronic devices. Supposedly then (according to a couple of e-mail newsletters that I have received, including one as recently as today), the Department of Homeland Security decreed that all electronic equipment must be removed from bags and laid flat in checkpoint security bins for X-ray inspection. The list includes mobile phones, PDAs, MP3 players and digital cameras.

I searched this forum and the TSA site, but didn't find anything about this. I haven't seen it in action at the airports I have been to. Is this really the case?

And, btw, why does the TSA say that corkscrews are permitted in carry-ons while large signs at DEN state that they are a prohibited item? Perhaps that is another topic.

FWAAA

Welcome to FlyerTalk.

The signs were printed when the corkscrews were forbidden (Idiot Norm Mineta is to thank for that one) and became outdated when Jackass Loy relented and permitted corkscrews again. But don't expect any new signs.

I've had mixed experience with electronics (I carry a lot of electronic junk). Some airports are more excited about non-terrorists carrying electronics than others.

ND Sol

Thanks for the info and the welcome.

It would seem that it wouldn't be too difficult to black-out "corkscrews" on the prohibited list signs, but that is too easy and consistent. I'm still amused that I can bring a corkscrew on board, but not my little pocket knife.

The "all electronic equipment out" rule is one that I would think would be posted to the TSA site. Oh well.

I also "like" the glass enclosures at DEN that people have to stand in and wait for their secondary screening. From up above it looks like a calf in the chute waiting for the gate to open in the calf-roping contest. How demeaning.

CATSA Screener

Beats having some moron bypass a flimsy stanchion barricade and then trigger a mass re-screening.

studentff

In my personal (and therefore limited) experience, I have not seen this. I carry a lot of electronics (laptop. three batteries, charger, cd-drive, floppy, walkman, digital camera w/ spare battery and charger, cell phone with charger, slr camera with 3 lenses, clock, flashlight, GPS, and probably more that I am forgetting). I have just taken my laptop out and never been hassled about the rest.

However, they have taken to EDT-swabbing the laptop nearly all the time. This morning at LAX, the guy mumbled something about "secondary," and I had to ask if he was going to secondary me or the laptop. Turns out it was just the laptop. Better it than me.

Jenbel

My laptop was swabbed quite a lot during my last US/Canada trip but that was the only electrical thing that was interesting to them.

ND Sol

I would have to respectfully disagree. I think that there are other alternatives to cattle-like treatment that is many times imposed.

sluggoaafa

Corkscrews are allowed, as long as they don't have the knife cutter on them. Nail clippers are allowed, as long as they don't have the file attached to them.

The other stuff that is or is not allowed can be quit rediculous!

Electronic Devices...well, it changes daily, so just keep checking the TSA site.

Sluggo

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Gordon 'Sluggo' Valentine
AA Furloughed Flight Attendant

FWAAA

Correct about the corkscrews, but WRONG about the nail files. Nail files (attached to nail clippers or by themselves) were put on the permitted item list at the same time as corkscrews, last year.

screenerx

Nail Clippers are allowed, unless they have a knife built in (Go to any knife store and you'll see what they look like). We've had people call the knife on the clippers nail files many times.

Everything should be allowed on, other then:
1) Guns and Ammunation (Other then checked)
2) Knives of a certain lenght (other then checked)
3) Bio Hazard matieral (neither carryon or checked)
4) Long objects that could be used as a weapon (Bats, Hockey sticks, Pool Cues...) But canes should be allowed.
5) Objects that about as large as a big knife that come to a sharp tip.


I know there are a few other but cant think of them right now.

Dromomaniac

This list seems very reasonable. I agree that small knives should be allowed, once again. It is too inconvenient to not be allowed to carry a small utility/pocket knife.

CATSA Screener

Yeah, this is the part that would allow us to do something about our proverbial human-head packed in luggage