Dont fly Emirates/Etihad/Turkish/etc...
... fly US companies!!
This ban hits strongly some of the main hubs of some very competitive and commercially aggressive airlines....
I wonder if this is a "security" measure - or a masked commercial one.
Airplane bomb fears spark America's laptop, tablet carry-on ban
Fears of terrorists smuggling bombs disguised as laptops onto airplanes has triggered a fresh crackdown on carry-on luggage. From today, passengers are banned from flying into the US from specific overseas airports if their carry-on luggage contains any devices larger than a mobile phone. The clampdown – introduced by American …
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 10:56 GMT smudge
Re: Dont fly Emirates/Etihad/Turkish/etc...
... fly US companies!!
I've just checked - very quickly and informally - and as far as I can see, there are no US airlines using these airports. I'm surprised - I guess I always thought that any route would have airlines from at least the two end-point countries flying on it. It seems not.
US to Saudi or UAE must be popular business routes? Or am I assuming that there is trade when there isn't that much?
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 13:50 GMT Eddy Ito
Re: Dont fly Emirates/Etihad/Turkish/etc...
I think you'll find that most flights are done on a code share basis to leverage the larger common hubs. While American, Jetblue, et al. may not operate the flight they might sell the ticket and ultimately you'll get on the operating partners plane.
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 14:04 GMT Phil O'Sophical
Re: Dont fly Emirates/Etihad/Turkish/etc...
US to Saudi or UAE must be popular business routes? Or am I assuming that there is trade when there isn't that much?
They're very popular connecting points for airlines flying between India and the US. It's one way to limit H1-B visas, I suppose.
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 13:10 GMT Anonymous Coward
This could really hit Macbook Pro w/touchbar sales...
Sounds like it's to gain access to devices to tamper/modify/image-backup laptops/computers while they aren't in your possession, so they can removed from hold luggage and examined, systematically without question. You could always carry the internal hard disk/SSD in carry on luggage (I assume carrying an 2.5"/M.2 SSD is acceptable), unless you own the latest Apple Macbook Pro /w touchbar, of course.
Sounds like it worth covering all ports/access screws with tamper proof stickers during flight too, for any device put in the hold, if you work on anything Government related.
It's always worth turning off Wifi on devices before going through Airport security, as this is a strategic "pinch point" where the phone/device can attach to a rogue hotspot. Hence, if you are asked to switch the device on to show it works, make sure the device is set to Airport mode/Wifi off, to prevent over air infection.
Getting to the point where you have just the boot drive to the OS and data elsewhere encrypted, preferably off-device. I wonder if Apple is still thinking that soldering the SSD to the motherboard was a good "security choice".
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 15:49 GMT Phil W
Re: This could really hit Macbook Pro w/touchbar sales...
"Sounds like it's to gain access to devices to tamper/modify/image-backup laptops/computers while they aren't in your possession"
Nah, you might have a point if it weren't for the fact that US Customs have been allowed to inspect the data contents of devices for a while now, so I'm not sure this is really related to that.
To be honest I can kind of see the point in this measure, not saying I agree with it necessarily but I understand it.
Sure an iPad Air (and phones hence why they're allowed) may not have a lot of space inside to be rigged as an explosive or whatever, but digital cameras especially DSLRs with a substantial lens? Or a beefy external HDD?
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 18:08 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: This could really hit Macbook Pro w/touchbar sales...
Look through the lenses, they use to be transparent. Still, a lens is not an electronic device, especially pure mechanical manual ones. Also, if reports are true, the Russian plane destroyed over Sinai was due to explosive in a drink can, not an electronic device. Thereby, any container should be forbidden. And if an airport security is compromised, anything can be brought on board. And if it explodes in the luggage deck, it's really no better.
I can't see how attacks in airports before the check-in impact the security of flights. As if in Florida you can't be shoot in the luggage claim area by a passenger with a gun...
-
Friday 24th March 2017 17:39 GMT d3vy
Re: This could really hit Macbook Pro w/touchbar sales...
"DSLRs with a substantial lens? Or a beefy external HDD?"
But you can still take a beefy HDD.
You can still take any number of things large enough to conceal a device.. you can also take a number of things NOT large enough to conceal a bomb each containing a component to make one.
This measure will stop nothing.
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 20:30 GMT BillG
Re: This could really hit Macbook Pro w/touchbar sales...
Sounds like it worth covering all ports/access screws with tamper proof stickers during flight too, for any device put in the hold,
Brilliant. Why didn't I think of that? I just looked at several listings on eBay for customized tamper-proof stickers.
Or how about an independent circuit that turns on the laptop's screen cam when the cover is lifted?
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 21:58 GMT hammarbtyp
Re: Dont fly Emirates/Etihad/Turkish/etc...
As the washington post explains, this is less likely to be security related and more likely to be a trade war masquerading as a security matter.
Welcome to the new world
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 10:26 GMT Mage
or stowed in the hold
I read this earlier on BBC.
I'm baffled. Why does a bomb disguised as a laptop be safer in the baggage hold than cabin?
I thought this was why, ages ago, that after x-ray, all electronic stuff has to be powered up and demonstrated.
This sounds irrational. What's to stop some other source airport being used. Real "intel" or the same "security theater" we have had for years, not just a Trump Tweet?
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 10:39 GMT regregular
Re: or stowed in the hold
The way I read this paragraph:
>> Now senior US Homeland Security officials, who asked not to be named, have told The Register the rules follow evaluated intelligence that suggests terrorists are targeting flights with electronic devices. Specific details about any possible threats were not provided.
"Targeting with electronic devices" could mean a lot of things. Like trying to figure out ways to meddle with relevant on-board system by either using vulnerabilities or modified devices that emit ridiculous electromagnetic radiation.
I don't think that they are referring to devices modified with a plastic explosive charge instead of a battery.
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 11:58 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: or stowed in the hold
> "Targeting with electronic devices" could mean a lot of things. Like trying to figure out ways to meddle with relevant on-board system by either using vulnerabilities or modified devices that emit ridiculous electromagnetic radiation.
I agree with you 100%. The only problem is that there is no need to fly to the US in order to test out this kind of device. Any route with the same kind of aircraft would work equally well.
-
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 12:52 GMT Kane
Re: or stowed in the hold
"Dimethylmercury wouldn't be able to kill people if it was in the hold...."
For those of us who don't have a working knowledge of chemistry, would you mind furnishing us with further details instead of trailing off with your ellipses, old chap? I would rather not start googling this phrase while I'm at work, if it's all the same to you.
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 16:24 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: or stowed in the hold
It's a hideous, volatile organomercury compound which is a potent neurotoxin. It's one of those compounds that can penetrate the skin, blood-brain barrier and latex gloves so combined with its high vapour pressure, it is far too dangerous for everyday use.
Relevance to this scenario - not sure, but horrible stuff.
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 12:55 GMT PatientOne
Re: or stowed in the hold
"Why does a bomb disguised as a laptop be safer in the baggage hold than cabin?"
So it's not available to a terrorist as a threat. It's in the hold isn't anywhere near as threatening as it being in the terrorist's hands.
It also has to go through baggage handling... where it can be lost, dropped, kicked around, stolen, found, thrown around a bit more, put on plane to another country, left in some forgotten corner, and eventually, months later, returned to the owner in one or more pieces.
Well, that's what seems to happen to other forms of baggage at times...
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 14:01 GMT Anonymous Coward
"where it can be lost, dropped, kicked around, stolen, found, thrown around a bit more"
Sometimes a bomb firing off in the luggage would create less damages than airport handling personnel... sometimes I'm tempted to put a sticker on it "Bomb inside, handle with care" to obtain a better handling...
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 14:52 GMT Peter X
Re: or stowed in the hold
where it can be lost, dropped, kicked around, stolen, found, thrown around a bit more
This bit was my immediate concern; when that lady's headphones exploded on a recent flight, I believe an article that covered it, mentioned another incident where a device's battery was crushed/punctured by - if my memory serves correctly - a seat mechanism being moved.
Regardless the cause, surely if people have to stuff these devices into baggage... particularly this week, when they might only be made aware of this requirement whilst in the airport, there's surely a *GREATER* risk that the batteries in these devices may be crushed/punctured, and potentially result in a fire/smoke related air crash?
If they *really* cared, if they *really* had intel. suggesting these devices could be disgused as a bomb or hacked/modified into a bomb, then surely the sensible thing to do is not allow any electronic device on board and *only* allow things such as USB flash drives/SD-cards to people to transfer data... albeit, I suppose you could argue they could use the internet for that!
This all smells like a Trump Theatre Production to me. Statistically, at least one plane will crash somewhere this year, and my money is on Trump tweeting some absolute BS about it immediately after, proving once again (to his supporters), what a great** president he is.
** (leans closer to the mike)... NOPE.
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 13:08 GMT Dan 55
Re: or stowed in the hold
It doesn't have to be rational, in fact the more irrational the better. When people are arguing about whatever random shit that Trump's done today, it means they're not arguing about the FBI investigating links to Russia or his family getting security clearance or who's got fired now or whatever it is this time.
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 13:59 GMT Eddy Ito
Re: or stowed in the hold
Perhaps it's the larger batteries? If it's in the cabin, there might be a way to mutilate the battery to initiate a conflagration that is very difficult to put out. It's one thing to douse a mobile but a 17" gaming rig, I don't know.
edit: Of course it doesn't stop one from carrying just a battery in their carry on bag so it's probably not that.
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 18:42 GMT Cynic_999
Re: or stowed in the hold
"
If it's in the cabin, there might be a way to mutilate the battery to initiate a conflagration that is very difficult to put out.
"
It would be even worse in the hold, because the fire would be well alight before enough smoke got out of the luggage bin to trigger a smoke alarm, and then a delay until someone climbed down into the hold to tackled the blaze. In the cabin it would probably be noticed just about immediately.
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 20:16 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: or stowed in the hold
Ahh great, so now someone would have to hide the explosive bit in the hold then use a mobile, which will be under the allowed size, as the trigger. It would be easier now than it ever was ever to knock something up that fits inside a phone case with the multitude of SBCs / wifi boards etc available, or can probably even be done just using the wireless hardware already provided in all phones these days, I don't know I never thought about it until I read this.
You can bet that airport security will not waste time pulling a laptop out of hold, tracing the owner and asking them to power it on - it looks like a battery and it's probably powered off so no threat there. Nobody would see that most of the battery has been swapped for something with a different kind of 'stored energy' and the remaining bit has just enough power to do a RTC power-on and start a countdown, or wait for a wireless signal - the person with the 'safe' mobile would never be to far away in the cabin to trigger it.
So how is it safer to put stuff in the hold? I think it is actually a great deal less safe. Not as safe? Much more unsafe? More risky. You get the point.
And this stupid stuff about 'undisclosed threats'. FFS, just publish the damn threats and it might make potential terrorists re-think their ideas, instead of keeping it all quiet and making the rest of us suffer these stupid rules ... unless there is not really any threat and the reason is a 'business decision'?
This is the price we pay for getting involved in matters that are nothing to do with us. If we had not stuck our nose in other countries business before for whatever the real reason (WMD / oil) then these ficticious terrorists might not be targeting our country. Let them sort their own problems out and stop trying to control the world.
And as if they were not able to spot a pattern before, now they are looking at NK/DPRK with the same thoughts as Iraq / Afghanistan etc before. Damn, government people, get a grip and learn from past actions. These actions might seem like they ended well in the short term, but in the long run we all are better off just leaving them to it, if their people want to stand up then let them, otherwise stay the fuck out.
-
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 17:44 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: or stowed in the hold
I suspect someone has come up with a plausible way to use a bunch of lithium ion batteries to form a makeshift explosive. Given the success Samsung have had lately in their prototypes of such a device.
3 or more like-minded individuals with a (working) laptop battery each, could likely tamper with them in-flight to cause significant thermal runaway if stacked together.
-
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 10:32 GMT Mage
a notice to passengers that specifically mentions Kindles
Crippled Android "Kindle Fire" tablets, or real eInk Kindles?
What possible offensive value is ANY eInk based ereader than a phone?
Another reason to avoid USA. Books on a real eReader make travel nearly bearable. Phones don't have the battery life and too small and inferior screen for reading.
How many phones can manage two films? Some can just about manage one if battery newish.
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 11:00 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: a notice to passengers that specifically mentions Kindles
Many airplanes have now plugs to charge your devices, some larger phones may be bearable (yet I hate them), but really, what threat they're talking about?
If it is an "hacking" one, why cameras are included? They don't look the best device for that - as well as most e-ink readers - a mobile phone would work better anyway. Or "terrorists" should be banned to bring cameras into US to take images of "targets"? Sell/rent them cameras once in the US, to make America great again!
If it is an explosive threat, putting it in the luggage compartment makes it less dangerous?
Or maybe the real reason is most of Trump administration can't actually use any device more complex than a phone to tweet, and they don't want to look dull on long range flights?
-
Tuesday 21st March 2017 16:03 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: a notice to passengers that specifically mentions Kindles
(Tongue in cheek icon)
Emirates + others must be running Windows 10 on their in-flight system. And we all know what happens when you plug a Kindle into Windows 10 1607 AU.
Actually, its pretty annoying, as the Paperwhite is the one thing I'll miss if they add this to BA and others.
-
-
Biting the hand that feeds IT
