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Phone Dead? It May Not Fly to the US Under New TSA Rules

If you’re planning on flying to the US from Europe, Africa, or the Middle East – it would probably be wise to make sure your iPhone has enough juice to at least power up. The Transportation Se...
Phone Dead? It May Not Fly to the US Under New TSA Rules
Written by Josh Wolford
  • If you’re planning on flying to the US from Europe, Africa, or the Middle East – it would probably be wise to make sure your iPhone has enough juice to at least power up.

    The Transportation Security Administration has just announced new security measures that affect travelers on direct flights to the United States from certain overseas airports. In an effort to stop potential explosive devices from making their way onboard aircraft, the TSA is banning “powerless” devices – meaning your dead iPhone.

    From the TSA:

    As the traveling public knows, all electronic devices are screened by security officers. During the security examination, officers may also ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones. Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. The traveler may also undergo additional screening.

    So, if you can’t demonstrate that your smartphone can turn on, it’s not coming with you.

    “DHS continually assesses the global threat environment and reevaluates the measures we take to promote aviation security. As part of this ongoing process, I have directed TSA to implement enhanced security measures in the coming days at certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States. We will work to ensure these necessary steps pose as few disruptions to travelers as possible. We are sharing recent and relevant information with our foreign allies and are consulting the aviation industry. These communications are an important part of our commitment to providing our security partners with situational awareness about the current environment and protecting the traveling public. Aviation security includes a number of measures, both seen and unseen, informed by an evolving environment. As always, we will continue to adjust security measures to promote aviation security without unnecessary disruptions to the traveling public,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson in a statement.

    These enhanced security measures come amid worries that “Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamist Nusra Front, al Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, are plotting to blow up an airliner,” according to NBC News.

    Reports indicate that smartphones aren’t the only powerless devices that will receive an extra bit of scrutiny in the coming days. You’ll likely have to demonstrate that you can power up your laptops and tablets as well.

    Image via TSA, Instagram

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