The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced earlier this month that powerless electronic devices will not be allowed on-board airplanes flying to the US.
This reminds me when I had my first flight experience when I was a kid. I had to donate my scissors to the garbage before entering the gate at the airport. I should say I learned my airport-packing lesson at the cost of a pair of scissors; I hope that nobody takes this lesson at the cost of their battery-low smartphone.
After the September 11 attacks, many airports worldwide have escalated their security level. In the U.S., in November 2001, the 107th Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, followed by the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Prior to 9/11, all U.S. airport security services were carried out by contract private companies. After 9/11, the TSA was taken place to strengthen the security of the nation’s transportation systems. The TSA took full control of this urgent makeover, including the recruiting, training and deploying of security officers at most airports, and providing luggage screening for any explosives.
As for that reason, by 2006, we were already familiar with the long list of items such as liquids, gels, aerosols or bottles that carried restrictions on quantity allowed, acceptable packaging and required screening.
These days, our U.S. air travel experience is completely different from that of the past. Increased security at airport can invade personal privacy, with outwear strip downs, removal of shoes and belts, body scans, and occasional pat downs.
It is taxpayers like us who will be picking up the bill for these services. For TSA’s screening service and equipment, we now pay ‘$2.50 September 11th Security Fee’ per journey, which totalled as $2 billion in taxes and fees to the TSA last year.
The customer experience is evidently lowered: Airlines had the lowest rating of American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) in June this year, by a private survey. Also, demand for air travel has been declined within the following few years of 9/11, discovered by the Impact of Post-9/11 Airport Security Measures.
Despite all the inconvenience, it doesn’t seem that the U.S. air travel experience will be improved any time soon due to strengthened security screening.
US officials are now eyeing at the possibility of high-tech bombs placed in mobile telephones after they collected information that the bomb-makers from the Al-Qaida operatives in Syria and Yemen have been collaboratively developing explosives.
For direct US-bound flights from Africa, Europe and the Middle East, this electronics screening is already under practice. It is mostly Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices that gain the most attention from US officials at the security checks.
The screening is now being expanded to a limited number of domestic travelers as well to turn on their laptops, phones and other electronic devices. However, the TSA did not reveal the selection of travelers publicly.
Once the electronic device selected for screening does not turn on, the passenger will not be permitted to board and may also undergo additional screening.
This means that you shouldn’t deplete your batteries by playing too much with your phone, laptop or tablet, even if you are on a transfer flight. I would advise to carry all your chargers with you to ensure your electronics don’t end up in the trashcan.
Leave a Reply