Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Travel&Dining > Travel Safety/Security > Practical Travel Safety and Security Issues
Reload this Page >

Is the TSA allowed to turn on electronics when SSSS'd?

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Is the TSA allowed to turn on electronics when SSSS'd?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 4:04 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 503
Is the TSA allowed to turn on electronics when SSSS'd?

A friend of mine is flying tomorrow and has the dreaded SSSS. Is a screener allowed to turn on electronics when going through his bags??
DL4EVR is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 4:05 pm
  #2  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
Programs: AAdvantage, MileagePlus, SkyMiles
Posts: 4,339
I doubt it, although I'm the wrong person to ask because I haven't experienced SSSS with my laptop yet - only when I don't have my laptop (last minute short trips).

You could suggest to your friend to replace the BP and ask the airline for one without SSSS.
MrAndy1369 is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 4:09 pm
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: CO Plat, Priority Club Plat, HH Diamond, Avis First, Hertz #1Gold
Posts: 720
Originally Posted by DL4EVR
A friend of mine is flying tomorrow and has the dreaded SSSS. Is a screener allowed to turn on electronics when going through his bags??
I was asked to turn on a laptop once - a few weeks after 9/11 and the X-ray screener said he couldn't "see" through it.
vassilipan is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 4:13 pm
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 503
Well, he was more concerned with his camera. On his outbound (where he also got SSSS'd), he says they only opened his laptop and swabbed the keyboard, but did not attempt to turn it on.
DL4EVR is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 4:14 pm
  #5  
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,957
Sure go ahead and turn that laptop on, Mr. TSO. Let me stand back a bit first.

I believe that the SOP says for TSO's not to turn on electronic equipment themselves, but then again that is SSI.
ND Sol is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 6:23 pm
  #6  
Moderator: Coupon Connection & S.P.A.M
50 Countries Visited
5M
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Louisville, KY
Programs: Destination Unknown, TSA Disparager Diamond (LTDD)
Posts: 58,133
If your friend's ticket is refundable, do so.
Spiff is online now  
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 7:48 pm
  #7  
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AS-GoldMVP,Hilton, Hyatt, Hertz
Posts: 915
I have been asked to turn mine on, no big deal......I turn it on they say OK then I shut it down........
Emeraldcity is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 9:27 pm
  #8  
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,487
Originally Posted by DL4EVR
A friend of mine is flying tomorrow and has the dreaded SSSS. Is a screener allowed to turn on electronics when going through his bags??
Is this a new way of checking for banned batteries? Turns on: banned batteries. Doesn't turn on: potential bomb.
ralfp is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2008 | 10:13 pm
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: Virgin, United, Qantas
Posts: 155
Originally Posted by ralfp
Is this a new way of checking for banned batteries? Turns on: banned batteries. Doesn't turn on: potential bomb.
It's the old way - it used to be a requirement that you turn on your computer to prove that the dense lump of material was infact a battery, not a bomb.

Of course, it would have been possible to have a small battery with enough power to run the laptop for a few minutes and the rest as explosive, so I am not sure if it proved anything - maybe that is why they stopped the test.
straygaijin is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2008 | 1:55 am
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 258
So if that is still being used anywhere...the turn on to prove battery thing...and your battery is dead..it is off to Cuba with you grandma.
vesicle is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2008 | 1:40 pm
  #11  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: constantly questioning DHS
Posts: 43
Originally Posted by DL4EVR
A friend of mine is flying tomorrow and has the dreaded SSSS. Is a screener allowed to turn on electronics when going through his bags??
It is not TSA policy to "turn-on" electronics. That being said, of course they can ask you to do so, even if it makes no sense.
jetboyds is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2008 | 1:46 pm
  #12  
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
But they can and will empty your wallet and read *everything* in there.....
Global_Hi_Flyer is offline  
Old Jan 3, 2008 | 3:32 pm
  #13  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: The Sunshine State
Programs: Deltaworst Peon Level, TSA "Layer 21 Club", NW WP RIP
Posts: 11,372
Originally Posted by jetboyds
It is not TSA policy to "turn-on" electronics. That being said, of course they can ask you to do so, even if it makes no sense.
Perhaps one sane person works at TSA, in their employee Occupational Safety department. Who, with a third grade electrical wiring knowledge, realized "the simple and easy way to make a b**b out of a laptop/camera/flashlight/walkman/etc is NOT to use a secret second battery and all this secret double James Bond stuff. The simple way is use the device's real battery and use the factory On-Off switch. Push the switch and instant boom."

So how safe is it for the TSA employee who tells the pax "hold that laptop here in my face where I can see it Real Close and push that "Power" switch?
Flaflyer is offline  
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 7:28 am
  #14  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
Programs: UA, AA, AS, SPG.
Posts: 3,464
Originally Posted by Flaflyer
Perhaps one sane person works at TSA, in their employee Occupational Safety department. Who, with a third grade electrical wiring knowledge, realized "the simple and easy way to make a b**b out of a laptop/camera/flashlight/walkman/etc is NOT to use a secret second battery and all this secret double James Bond stuff. The simple way is use the device's real battery and use the factory On-Off switch. Push the switch and instant boom."

So how safe is it for the TSA employee who tells the pax "hold that laptop here in my face where I can see it Real Close and push that "Power" switch?
Just as safe as eating confiscated pies and donating confiscated toiletries to the homeless.
uva185 is offline  
Old Jan 4, 2008 | 10:59 am
  #15  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
40 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,543
In times past I've been asked to turn on a laptop (which actually could have been a problem as the battery was in *VERY* bad shape. It didn't even get very far into the boot before shutting down for a lack of power. Had the next airport wanted to see it also... Since I always ran it plugged in the battery didn't bother me otherwise.) and I've had an idiot unhappy with my camera because they couldn't see through it--SLR with the lens not mounted.
Loren Pechtel is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.