General Brian Kelly, the Secretary of Homeland Security spoke before a Senate committee today and stated "that the current electronics ban may be expanded; to include more airports, and perhaps more countries. He made that statement adding that the decision is based on ‘real threat[s].’

"It's real. I think it's getting realer, so to speak," Kelly said. "We may take measures in the not-too-distant future to expand the number of airports." as reported by CNN

As the intelligence community reports 'credible threats' the question comes to mind if this ban will not go on forever, just like removing shoes in the regular TSA security lines at airports?

so are the QC 25-35 headphones allowed or not ? :)

Well I'm definitely glad I'not flying to the US/UK anytime soon.

I think someone mentioned on EK forum they are not allowed and were taken away from him at the gate. But then headsets are not on the list, so I would just go ahead and try to take them...

Just did TK9, IST to LAX and checked my laptop at gate. Picked it up at destination without a hitch, the whole thing really wasn't a big deal.

Question

1) I know camera is not allowed on board, but can you remove the SD card from camera prior to handing over and guard it with you? I presume they are not that neurotic to ban you from your SD card?

2) Also, is external HD or pen drive allowed to be taken on board?

SD cards: no problem
external HD should be fine as long as it's a modern small thing and not one of the monstrosities we used to have 15 years ago.

either way, they now seem to handle the gate-checking procedure with an absolute minimum of inconvenience.

great, thank you!

The new J headphones. Not as good as the Denons I suppose, but still decent for mid-haul U.K. flights. Nice work TK, I am in a good mood just having scored my 2nd op-up in recent memory :D

Attachment 30551

I flew Bangkok to Manchester a couple of days ago. I kept my laptop and iPad for the BKK - IST leg, and then gave them up at the gate in IST when boarding the MAN flight. TK wrapped them in bubble wrap and had three hard-shelled suitcases in which they packed all electronics. In MAN there was a stand close to the luggage belt with a notice to pick up electronics. TK staff had the three suitcases there before the luggage came - and for once in MAN, that came out extremely quickly. Picked up cases, picked up laptop and iPad - minimum fuss, no delay.

Apart from having to go to gate a bit earlier for UK flights in IST, and queue for a few minutes to get the electronics wrapped and packed; and apart from not having them to use on the IST - MAN flight - a good excuse to watch some of the wide range of entertainment TK actually offers - this really wasn't a problem at all. TK certainly seem to be doing their best to implement an efficient process and ensure safety of electronics.

However, one thing to note is that some power banks were being confiscated in IST, which is apparently a new ruling which came in a week earlier. Given that certain airlines and airports (e.g. Beijing) already do this, or do different things in the case of power banks, I don't carry power banks at all on international flights now. I think there are some types which are permitted, and some which aren't. But may be safest just not to take them at all on planes, and certainly on TK.

Thank you for your posting your experience, I was about to cancel my LOS-IST-SFO TK one way. Was concerned about the security of electronics at LOS, so from your experience, my electronics should be in my possession till the IST departure gate.

This is very helpful - thanks to all of you. I have a question:

When you hand over your laptop, are they taking them in slim cases or only "naked"?

I don't know about Powerbanks. A few days ago the security person made a big stink about my power bank and made a similar claim. I challenged him and then his supervisor (her) to show me where such a regulation existed. After 2 minutes they agreed with themselves (in Turkish which I understood) that they had no such written order, and then asked me to put it in my carry-on under the proviso that I could carry it- but not use it. So I do not think the powerbank thing is actually real, just something that has morphed among them.

They put them in very thick bubble wrap envelopes, those go into hard sided suitcases. It felt okay and safe to me.

Presuming by powerbank you mean a battery, why wouldn't it be?

It's an electronic device, so as long as it's larger than a cell-phone, I don't see why it wouldn't be covered...