Posted on 12/26/2009 3:21:22 PM PST by Glenn
Before I begin, let me just state that TSA has yet to confirm any of this on its website, so the details aren’t entirely clear at the moment. That said, there are several indications that orders have been issued to cease the use of electronics during international flights. Yes, that means no laptops, no iPods, no Kindles, no CD players, no portable DVD players, no Nintendo DSes — nothing that requires any sort of power on these flights. If this is true, it’s absolutely awful news.
Obviously, this is all in reaction to the Nigerian man who attempted to bring down a plane coming into the U.S. And the TSA is going to do whatever it thinks is necessary to prevent further attacks of a similar nature. But the simple fact is that if the TSA was really this seriously worried about electronic devices, they could have banned them anytime since the attacks on September 11, 2001. Instead, they’re doing it more than 8 years later after a man apparently lit some sort of mixture of powder and liquid in his lap. How that relates to electronics, I’m not sure. This just reeks of a “well, we have to do something” move.
Again, all the details aren’t known yet, and it’s entirely possible that this is just a temporary measure that will be in place during a heightened security time following the attempted attack. Other reports suggest this will only affect planes coming into the U.S. Of course, if you leave the U.S. to go on an international trip, you’re very likely going to have to come back, so this will affect you.
So far, all the TSA is official saying is this:
Passengers flying from international locations to U.S. destinations may notice additional security measures in place. These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere. Due to the busy holiday travel season, both domestic and international travelers should allot extra time for check-in.”
Those other security measures apparently include not being allowed to get up in the final hour of a flight (so, no bathroom), being limited to one carry-on bag, and not being allowed to have anything on your lap in this final hour.
We’ll update this post when the official policy becomes more clear, but given the previous policies of no liquids, taking off your shoes, etc, it wouldn’t be entirely shocking for a no electronics rule of some sort to be commonplace. And it comes at a time when air travel was becoming almost becoming bearable thanks to WiFi on a growing number of flights (though domestic for now). Instead, it looks like we’ll have to revert back to the old standards: Books, magazines, and newspapers for these flights. If I were the print media companies, I’d jack up the prices in airports immediately. They may have just found a business model that will save them: Fear.
I stand by my statement earlier: If they take electronics away from us on plane, I’d much prefer to be put into a state of hibernation on the flights like in Avatar. That’s about the only thing that will make those cattle cars tolerable at that point.
I hope they are wrong on this bit.
He used a FREAKING SYRINGE!!!
Let’s outlaw syringes on airplanes... and while we’re at it, let’s outlaw stupidity in the TSA.
“.....nothing that requires any sort of power on these flights. “
— — —
Apparently the TSA has developed a new jet engine.
Dammit. How am I supposed to listen to my collection of Obama speeches if I can't use my iPod on the plane?
I have to agree that outlawing all electronic devices in carry-on luggage is something I could live with.
he should have been strangled to death on the spot , if not for what he was trying to do , then for the inconvenience
caused to others in the future. He should have not left that plane walking
Why don’t we just eliminate all the islamofascit terrorists so we no longer need the TSA?
Why don’t we just eliminate all the islamofascit terrorists so we no longer need the TSA?
Then to make sure no radical Amish go postal, we forbid electonic devices.
Clearly, you don’t have to travel with a laptop. Would you check your laptop then???
Because you can trust TSA to leave your thousand-dollar laptop in your suitcase, which they search when you are not present?
If you love airport and airline security, be sure to thank a Muslim! Taking your shoes off, no liquids, no electronics, being searched, having your suitcase rifled... all is because of Islamic terrorism. So please, please be sure to thank a Muslim.
My words exactly. Every time I remove my shoes and belt, I turn to the east and thank the muslims for letting me still be free!!!!!
NO GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE, AND THAT MEANS THE F^*^*G PRESIDENT, SHOULD BE ALLOW TO FLY ANYTHING BUT COACH ON A SCHEDULED AIRLINE. No AF1. No Gulfstreams. Nothing. No phones. No electronics.
ML/NJ
ML/NJ
>My words exactly. Every time I remove my shoes and belt, I turn to the east and thank the muslims for letting me still be free!!!!!
What’s wrong with you?? I love hearing a TSA ‘agent” yelling at my face everyTIme to ‘PLACE THE LAPTOP IN THE TRAY....IN THE TRAY...I REPEAT, IN THE TRAY!!”
POST #4 LOLOLOLOLOLOL
“...just eliminate all the islamofascit terrorists...”
Now that would be too easy, make too much sense and not perpetuate make work organizations and fiefdoms for the political class. When we start forcing politicians to the same conditions as everyone without exception, such as flying commercial, monthly drug testing and strip searches at airports this insanity will cease.
What about diabetic’s needing an injection?
Put them on their own airlines - CON AIR.....
It would be easy if the airlines would give everybody a BLT as the got on the airplane.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.