Gadgets Banned on UK Airlines

[dragonsgames]

http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/10/terrorist-plot-results-in-air-ban-of-gadgets/
As you may or may not have heard, this morning Scotland Yard announced 21 people were arrested in connection with a supposed terrorist plot to use liquid explosives onboard. The result was obviously arduous for travelers who suffered suspended flights and long lines -- certainly a better fate than the possible alternative -- but the collateral inconveniences were also rather interesting. Authorities banned bringing aboard liquids, gels, or lotions (aside from medicines and sustenance for small children), as well as effectively scrapping travelers' ability to carry on laptops, cameras, or cellphones until further notice. Pretty severe for those looking to get some work done or pass time on their flight, but anyone lucky enough to get on a plane in England today is probably more relieved than irritated. Just be sure these guys don't lose your luggage, ok?

At least I am in the US. Hope this doesn't come over seas, because I would die without my laptop and PDA on a plane. (speaking of PDA, they didn't mention those, hmm... :D)

[headcronie]

It's only a matter of time. It will happen in the US as well. The sooner the better IMO.

[dragonsgames]

So a 4 hour flight with nothing to do? That would be great... :rolleyes:

[Tam Hanna]

Newspapers? Or, what about printiing out some TamsPalm content =). Or, even cooler, programming on a piece of paper!

[_Em]

You can use the complimentary headphones to listen to the various stations available on the airplane -- they generally include traffic control, the in-flight movie, and sometiimes some elevator music :)

[matrix42]

How about a book, remember those, think you can still buy them in places, there light, and boot up real fast!

[applejosh]

From what I heard on the radio, any electronic device is potentially going to be prohibited. I heard the commentators even mention wristwatches since they can supposedly be used as ignition devices. I don't know if it will come to that, but I've often wondered about various electronics and the "just turn it on" test.

[dragonsgames]

So all the sudden they just want to ban everything?

How about a book, remember those, think you can still buy them in places, there light, and boot up real fast!
What? Books?
Light? Ha, I can fit about 100 on a chip the size of my thumbnail.

[headcronie]

And you can also detonate any bomb type device with your lil pda. You'd better just prepare yourself for being temporarily detached from all of your electronics. :)

[dragonsgames]

I just hope it isn't for long....
(or that it doesn't come to the US)
Couldn't this have happened for years? So why just now are they banning it?

[applejosh]

Well, we never thought about searching shoes until not so long ago, either.

(It takes the government a while to catch up with things. How long after commercial flights began before they thought about checking people for guns?)

[headcronie]

I just hope it isn't for long....
(or that it doesn't come to the US)
Couldn't this have happened for years? So why just now are they banning it?

Haven't you seen todays headlines (non-palm / non-tech). UK foils international terror plot? :eek:

[headcronie]

Nevermind, you posted the news yourself. Why now are they just banning it... cuz they're slow to act. They didn't want to take away personal freedoms. Time's up on them now. They've no choice. The terrorists have forced their hands.

[Joel]

Analog stuff could become popular again... that would be puzzle magazines, real books, hipster PDAs (http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/03/introducing-the-hipster-pda/), and my favorite: the PocketMod (http://pocketmod.com/) site.

[cliemia]

How about a book, remember those, think you can still buy them in places, there light, and boot up real fast!

So I heard on my local radio station that even books will be out, that's right, books. Apparently, they are too easy to hollow out and fill with stuff to get you your 72 virgins.

[Iamaboff]

No liquids will be allowed on board, all luggage will be checked by hand and mothers will have to taste food for their babies at customs to prove that it is really baby food.

[mmurray]

So a 4 hour flight with nothing to do? That would be great... :rolleyes:


What a whole 4 hours :-) Try Melbourne to London - 24 hours with a short break in Singapore. I guess you would have memorized the contents of your wallet pretty well!

This is going to make built in Internet access and personal movies on each seat become a lot more popular.

Michael

[owl]

And you can also detonate any bomb type device with your lil pda. You'd better just prepare yourself for being temporarily detached from all of your electronics. :)
That's bull. You could ignite a bomb with a Zippo, a match or a flintstone. To add some paranoia: Some explosives don't even need a detonator. And what about Cardiac pacemakers or hearing aids? Batteries, electronics.... it's all there.

[Tam Hanna]

If you want some good tech books, you may want to stick to the TamsPalm Team's review list:
http://tamspalm.tamoggemon.com/category/hardware-reviews/book-reviews/

BTW; that reminds me. I should make a reccommendation list out of the reviews and link it to Amazon! Or, what about all of us posting a link to the favourite tech book?

[Cyker]

You can take practically nothing on. You can't even take a pencil.
No water bottles, or in fact any liquids. They made a small exception for baby food/milk, but the mother has to eat/drink it in front of them to prove it's not actually an Exploding Rusk or something ;)

Anything you do carry on has to be in a CLEAR plastic bag - No wallets (These have to go IN the plastic bag), no handbags, no glasses cases, no pouches, no backpacks, no purses (Also in bag).

There is a list of allowed stuff here:
http://www.baa.com/alert_media.html

It's not a lot. I suspect no books or even a deck of cards would be allowed :(
Apparently stuff you buy in the Departure lounge is allowed onboard, but I'm not sure about the scope of that.

They'd probably make you wear plain-white fatigues and bundle up all your clothes into your luggage if they thought they could get away with it.


But Joel - Those PDA links were awesome! I espescially like the Hipster - Ultra-high resolution Ink(tm) display technology (You can't see the pixels!!!), works well in daylight, even supports landscape and reverse-landscape modes!
And it's so fast and responsive - Even my TH55 can't flip between address-book and memopad so fast!! :eek: :D
Has excellent expansion capability, and the usage-life is awesome - Can be used even longer than my TH55!

It's a pity it doesn't have a camera or WiFi 'tho... and I don't think it can play MP3s :(

:D

[dragonsgames]

Guess I'm gonna have to learn some fun things to do with my thumbs... :rolleyes:

[_Em]

That's bull. You could ignite a bomb with a Zippo, a match or a flintstone. To add some paranoia: Some explosives don't even need a detonator. And what about Cardiac pacemakers or hearing aids? Batteries, electronics.... it's all there.

Actually, the kind of explosives you could smuggle onto an airplane wouldn't be set off by a flame or spark -- they generally need an electrical current. I see hearing aids and battery powered headphones as the next things to be banned....

[headcronie]

Quite right. Not to mention, they've already had a ban on all open flames for a few years now. No zippos, lighters, matches etc...

[squeff]

At some point, I think we can expect pretty much everything to be banned, as someone figures out a way to turn it into an explosive. Some day, perhaps, you'll have to remove your clothes and put on an airline-supplied suit, just to make sure that you don't have explosive clothing. And, of course, deep cavity searches. Nose. Ears. Mouth. Other places.

Once the initial "shock" wears off, we'll be back to bringing on electronics. Too many people NEED their laptops, PDAs, and other devices.

And, as for the baby bottles... If I were a suicide terrorist, I'm not sure that I'd object to drinking a little explosive baby milk, as long as I stay alive until I complete my mission. Same for my baby.

And, as for prescription medicines... How hard is it for me to put a prescription label on whatever-the-heck-I want?

[dragonsgames]

Yes, great point. ANYTHING could be a bomb/explode.

[Joel]

...
But Joel - Those PDA links were awesome! I espescially like the Hipster - Ultra-high resolution Ink(tm) display technology (You can't see the pixels!!!), works well in daylight, even supports landscape and reverse-landscape modes!
And it's so fast and responsive - Even my TH55 can't flip between address-book and memopad so fast!! :eek: :D
Has excellent expansion capability, and the usage-life is awesome - Can be used even longer than my TH55!

It's a pity it doesn't have a camera or WiFi 'tho... and I don't think it can play MP3s :(

:D
It can be an image viewer (can also be modified to play short animations). But yeah, no wifi and audio support... but it can take down lyrics! :D

Don't forget that the hipster can also be modified for divers, making it the only waterproof PDA. ;)

[Tam Hanna]

WTF??? No books?

I mean, those guzys are crazy. But nevertheless, one more reason to love the WristPDA...too bad the battery dies after two hours of continuous use

[pinnocchio]

WTF??? No books?

I mean, those guzys are crazy. But nevertheless, one more reason to love the WristPDA...too bad the battery dies after two hours of continuous use

Banned...goes in hold.

ALL electronic devices go in hold.....

The only items you're allowed are:-

Travel Documents
Passport
Baby Food (tasted in front of staff)
Baby wipes (hand searched)
Wallet (nothing electric allowed in it)
Purse (nothing electric allowed in it)

All these items must go in a clear plastic sealed bag.

EVERYTHING ELSE GOES IN YOUR BAGGAGE IN THE HOLD.

I was due to travel to LA from London next week for a conference. I've cancelled the trip as there's no way I'm putting two laptops and a high quality camera all together worth about $10k in my baggage destined for the Baggage Handlers retirement fund.

Oh and by the way the airlines HAVE NOT changed their re-imbursement rules on hold baggage which is calculated by weight not value.

If these rules stay in place it'll have a major impact on transatlantic business IMHO.

[Tam Hanna]

Hi,
full ack here!

What about making the tech follow you with UPS or sth secure like that?

[LupeValenz]

Screw this! I'm not going to be flying and letting my precious electronics get handled by them rush-rush airport personel! next thing you know is that they will ban airplanes all together and make us take buses and ships grrrr.

[dragonsgames]

Have you seen when they put the baggage in the airplane? They THROW IT!!!! Imagine your laptop being THROWN into a plane. :eek:

[cliemia]

I actually had the pleasure of watching a baggage handler break the wheel off of my suitcase from my seat on the airplane by dropping it 4 feet to the ground to free his hands for the next bag on the conveyor belt. Of course, despite my eyewitness account, "we are not responsible for external damage to luggage" blahblahblah was all I got in return.

[ech18]

Hi, Could I just remind eveyone that until a few years ago you wern't allowed walkmans, game consoles or anything battery operated on planes. I'm quite happy to be board for a few hours for my own safety.