TSA to start screening electronics more closely
The Transportation Security Administration has announced that they will begin to require passengers at some overseas airports that offer U.S.-bound flights to “power on” their electronic devices prior to boarding the plane.
The TSA says it is requiring some overseas airports to have passengers turn on devices like cellphones and tablets. It says devices that won’t power up won’t be allowed on planes, and those travelers may be subject to additional security screening.
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson recently ordered the TSA to put extra security measures in place at some international airports that have U.S.-bound flights.
This does not mean that the TSA will search your phone, especially after the recent Supreme Court decision on cell phone searches. Though they have extra leverage at ports to do so already. It just means that if your electronic device is off you will undergo tougher security and the device may have to be charged and turned on prior to you getting on the plane. Hopefully before the flights departure time
View from the Wing also covered this article briefly over at BoardingArea along with an important update for those DC-metro area residents who take the metro.
I personally dislike all this hassle, mostly because I hate big government and government regulation of some sorts, but if it is just turning on your cellphone then it shouldn’t be too much of a big deal in the name of safety.
