Just when you didn’t think flying could get any worse, it
very well may.
By Naydeane May
It
is possible in the near future your electronic life is going to be more
difficult when you fly the not so friendly skies.
The
Department of Homeland Security announced that they are thinking about
expanding the electronics ban to more than 371 airports.
The idea is to extend the ban to Europe, Africa,
and maybe some domestic airports. So far no other country has an
electronic ban, however Britain is talking about one.
Homeland Security secretary John Kelly
told a House of Representatives panel that they are looking at an additional 71
airports.
CNBC reported that Kelly will be
attending a conference next week in Malta “to present what we think are
the minimum increased security standards … and present those to people to say
if you meet these standards we will not ban large electronics.” Homeland
security refused to say which were the 71 airports under consideration.
So what will happen if the airports do
not cooperate with the US? They will be put on an “affected airports”
list.
I don’t know about you, but I do not
like the idea of checking my laptop. If the baggage people steal perfume,
clothing, and whatever else, the laptops will be like going to a fire sale for
them.
Homeland Security recommends wrapping
your bag in plastic so you know if someone went into it. Homeland
Security also says they will not be taking data off of any of the checked
units.
The
bigger issue is the batteries in checked laptops. What happens if laptops are
broken? Who pays? I can vision my poor Acer with a cracked screen.
Homeland Security says that it could
implement a domestic electronic ban if there are threats.
Additionally,
to enhance your flying pleasure, the TSA has begun to insist that people
take stuff out of their checked baggage.
Apparently
it is too hard to see what is inside when the bags are stuffed full. This
side diversion is currently being tested in 10 domestic airports and most likely could expand to all
of them.