The latest Trump travel madness? A device ban. And not just a device ban! But a device ban for certain flights, from certain countries, for certain devices. It's insane. But we're gonna unpack it for you. Here's the deal:
What flights are affected?
So, first off: domestic travel inside the United Statesand international flights originating from the United Statesare notaffected.
Nothing's changed about what you can take on those flights, so carry on (literally).
The new rules apply to 10 specific international airports—"certain last point of departure airports to the United States"—according to the Department of Homeland Security. Those airports areL:
Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman, Jordan
Cairo International Airport (CAI) in Cairo, Egypt
Ataturk International Airport (IST) in Istanbul, Turkey
King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Kuwait International Airport (KWI) in Farwaniya, Kuwait
Mohammed V Airport (CMN) in Casablanca, Morocco
Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar
Dubai International Airport (DXB) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
It gets even crazier. The new rules apply to nine specific airlines, so even if you're a U.S. citizen flying back from a vacation or business trip, if you're on these airlines, out of the above airports, the ban still applies to you.
Those airlines are:
Royal Jordanian
Egypt Air
Turkish Airlines
Saudia Airlines
Kuwait Airways
Royal Air Maroc
Qatar Airways
Emirates Airlines
Etihad Airways
The 10 airports flagged were picked based on gathered intelligence. The DHS says that the airports affected could change, including U.S. airports, depending on that intelligence. The DHS also notes that even if your flight doesn't originate from one of these airports and is just connecting through one of those airports, you'll still need to check those devices.
The UK has followed the U.S.'s lead, and also instituted their own similar ban with a lot of overlap. But there are a few minor differences, including airlines and airports affected, as well as the devices that are forbidden. You can check out details of thatparticular ban here.
What devices are affected?
This one's relatively easy: any electronic device bigger than a smartphone. So, no Kindles, no iPads, no Nintendo Switch. Sorry.
The official list of devices that can't be taken on these flights:
Laptops
Tablets
E-Readers
Cameras
Portable DVD players
Electronic game units larger than a smartphone
Travel printers/scanners
The DHS acknowledges that smart phones can come in different sizes (like the iPhone Plus) but those are allowed—they're still just smartphones—and, if you're not sure, you should check with your airlines.
Wait, you can put your laptop in checked baggage?
Yep. The TSA says on its own website that laptops (well, technically "expensive, fragile electronics items") can be stowed in either checked or carry-on luggage. But the agency actually recommends typically putting it in your carry-on.
While the main impetus for taking your laptop in your carry-on is to keep it from getting damaged, given the rough trip checked baggage can take, there are other risks, too, like luggage getting lost, or rerouted to the wrong destination (to say nothing of the threat of theft).
SEE ALSO:How to get through border security without giving up your dataIf you're worried about having to do this—especially if you feel vulnerable to searches traveling through through these airports—an easy way to limit your worry is by taking a wiped laptop (like a Chromebook) with you on the trip. Sure, it still faces risks of damage and loss, but if that happens, especially in the case of loss or theft, there's (hopefully) no sensitive data that can fall into the wrong hands.
If you absolutely haveto travel with data, you'll have to up your game considerably. Consider uploading your data to a thumb drive or even a small external hard drive (as long as those are still allowed) and backing your data up to your phone, or to the cloud (which you've totally protected with the appropriate steps, right).
Why the new restrictions?
The DHS acknowledged specific threats that inspired this round of new restrictions. The department acknowledged the 2015 Egypt airplane explosion, the 2016 attempted bombing of a Somalian plane, and airport attacks in Brussels and Istanbul (one of the 10 affected airports) as reasons for the new rules.
But the DHS also said a new specific threat is also responsible:
Q3: Is there a specific or credible threat to aviation?
A3: We have reason to be concerned about attempts by terrorist groups to circumvent aviation security and terrorist groups continue to target aviation interests. Implementing additional security measures enhances our ability to mitigate further attempts against the overseas aviation industry.
Q4: Did new intelligence drive a decision to modify security procedures?
A4:Yes, intelligence is one aspect of every security-related decision. The record of terrorist attempts to destroy aircraft in flight is longstanding and well-known. We continually re-assess old intelligence and collect new intelligence.
And that continual reassessment is why the DHS said that the airports involved, including U.A. airports, are subject to change as that intelligence changes or becomes available.
The affected airlines were notified of these changes by 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday and have been given 96 hours to comply.
UPDATE Mar. 21 5:18 p.m. PT:
CNN reported Tuesday afternoon that recent intelligence suggested an al Qaeda affiliate was working on techniques for hiding explosives in batteries and battery compartments of electronic devices, prompting the ban. The report cited an unnamed U.S. official.
British and U.S. officials meanwhile told the Associated Press that the new decision was based on longstanding concerns rather than a specific threat.
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