New security arrangements for flying.

[FridgeMagnet]

I remember being asked to turn on a calculator and type some stuff when I was a kid, flying to South Africa in the 80s. I can't remember why I actually had a calculator on me.

They obviously won't be doing this very often - it's just for specific flights, and even then I doubt they'll check more than a few people, just like random searches at the moment. Given that pretty much everybody has at least one electronic device nowadays it would take forever otherwise.

 

[weltweit]

It isn't an effective method to exclude explosives. Any clever terrorist will ensure there is enough battery to turn the device on for the check leaving space enough for adequate explosive.

oh and pogofish mode:
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/enhanced-security-at-overseas-airports-with-us-flights.325278/

 

[EastEnder]

Back when I was young & adventurous I would fly to the US on sky diving holidays. On the flight over there & back I would always take my parachute with me as hand luggage (didn't trust baggage handlers with something so crucial!). All I needed was an info card to hand to security types that had an example X-ray image of a parachute, along with blurb explaining how it didn't pose a threat, etc. That was over 15 years ago. I can only imagine what they'd say these days if you tried the same thing...

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

It isn't an effective method to exclude explosives. Any clever terrorist will ensure there is enough battery to turn the device on for the check leaving space enough for adequate explosive.

oh and pogofish mode:
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/enhanced-security-at-overseas-airports-with-us-flights.325278/

but that's for US flights, it's been extended now

 

[xenon]

It isn't an effective method to exclude explosives. Any clever terrorist will ensure there is enough battery to turn the device on for the check leaving space enough for adequate explosive.

oh and pogofish mode:
http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/enhanced-security-at-overseas-airports-with-us-flights.325278/

I think it's partly that they just want you to prove it is a mobile phone by turning it on. i.e. not some electrnoinc slab knocked up in a workshop. And yeah the battery pack seems the most obvious place to try and put explosive in a real phone.

Also these checks have to be done at the gate. So you can't use your phone during all that teadious hanging around in the departure lounge? Assuming it has to be 100% charged. Is 95 OK, 70? Can you take your portable charger into the cabin?

 

[xenon]

Back when I was young & adventurous I would fly to the US on sky diving holidays. On the flight over there & back I would always take my parachute with me as hand luggage (didn't trust baggage handlers with something so crucial!). All I needed was an info card to hand to security types that had an example X-ray image of a parachute, along with blurb explaining how it didn't pose a threat, etc. That was over 15 years ago. I can only imagine what they'd say these days if you tried the same thing...

They'd make you use it to prove it was real.

 

[Fez909]

So if this mythical phone bomb did exist, instead of blowing up a plane, it will just blow up the border security agents and any passengers who happen to be queueing nearby? Nice.

 

[ffsear]

So if this mythical phone bomb did exist, instead of blowing up a plane, it will just blow up the border security agents and any passengers who happen to be queueing nearby? Nice.

It would do bugger all damage. They like planes because they are pressurized and a small bomb can kill everyone

 

[xenon]

So if this mythical phone bomb did exist, instead of blowing up a plane, it will just blow up the border security agents and any passengers who happen to be queueing nearby? Nice.

If it's that or risk a plane blowing up over a city.

 

[Fez909]

If it's that or risk a plane blowing up over a city.

If it's a credible risk then they should be taking the appropriate actions to protect innocent passengers and security workers. Having bombs explode next to you to save other people's lives elsewhere is not something you sign up for when you buy an aeroplane ticket.

Of course it's not a credible risk, as any fule no.

Just more bullshit like the liquid bullshit.

 

[Greebo]

If it's that or risk a plane blowing up over a city.

Agreed - particularly if it exploded before the plane had used most of its fuel.

 

[Buddy Bradley]