Heathrow and Manchester issue must-be-charged gadget advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Tris20
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 04:36:14 pm
content: Heathrow and Manchester airports have told passengers to ensure all electronic devices carried as hand baggage are charged before travel if they are flying to the US.The move follows a request from the US that "certain overseas airports" implement enhanced security measures.A new rule states that if a "device doesn't switch on, you won't be allowed to bring it on to the aircraft".http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28193654What the fuck?What kind of a threat does a discharged device pose? Perhaps this is a case of "if the screen lights up it can't be a weapon"?Regardless, If I were in charge of flight security I'd be more concerned about this:

author: cyr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 04:57:40 pm
content: I guess the logic is that if it turns on it's a real device and not an empty case with a bomb in it?

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 05:12:30 pm
content: Most airport security is redundant and serves only as a deterrent rather than a way to catch people in the act.This is no different to usual.Just have a smaller battery that will turn on the device for a short time, and fill the rest of the space with explosives. If I can think of it, I'm sure terrorists can, too.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 05:30:19 pm
content: Last time I travelled to Japan they had that rule when entering Japan and this way before 9/11

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 06:43:19 pm
content: It makes it easier to copy the the gadget's content while "inspecting" it, or to plant a virus or some spy software on it. Imagine you have to do this, and you always run into the problem that the damned gadgeds just don't turn on. That can really ruin your day.

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 08:49:33 pm
content: Because you can't stick a bomb inside a functioning laptop ?more security theatre

author: Sionyn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 09:23:09 pm
content: what about the lithium batteryit wouldn't take much to turn the lithium in a laptop into a weapon. There's a lot in there and lithium is quite reactive.Put it in water - instant hydrogen.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 10:02:36 pm
content: this is america thinking they own the world againif they would remove my phone or something then i would send them the bill

author: Richard Crowley
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 10:54:07 pm
content: Quote from: Sionyn on July 07, 2014, 09:23:09 pmDon't let McGyuver on your flight!

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 11:29:11 pm
content: Well, I was traveling from Russia once and was asked to power on my laptop. The problem is - the battery was dead, like really dead, it was 4 year old laptop and battery was not working at all and was there to plug the hole. So I pressed the Power button and nothing happened, I pressed again, and nothing happened. After that I was told to go though and not delay the lineThis was back in 2011, so I think it was local Russian initiative.BTW, the laptop still works, it just has to be plugged in all the time.

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 12:01:44 am
content: I would be more worried that they have a small amount of gallium to be put in the plane to spill on ascent - no explosives need.SeeThis is the same reason that you are not supposed to take mercury thermometers on board or in your luggage.

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 05:16:03 am
content: Quote from: 8086 on July 07, 2014, 05:12:30 pmThat's too advanced idea for a TSA official.

author: LukeW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 05:22:44 am
content: Quote from: Sionyn on July 07, 2014, 09:23:09 pm

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 05:32:56 am
content: Quote from: 8086 on July 07, 2014, 05:12:30 pmThe drug smugglers probably thought of it way before you or the terrorists did!

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 05:37:06 am
content: or, replace it with a tiny SBC like a beagleboard... even more room!

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 01:19:23 pm
content: the annoying thing is, manchester like most airports screen all passengers as they enter departures with no further screening after. This means the rules will have to be applied to everyone regardless of the destination

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 02:46:33 pm
content: Quote from: 8086 on July 07, 2014, 05:12:30 pmhttp://laserpointerforums.com/f67/fake-ultrafire-18650-s-72833.htmlI've seen other examples of this too. Funny how he had white powder inside his batteries.Just imagine how those batteries look like in x-ray machine.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 08:57:29 pm
content: Quote from: vk6zgo on July 08, 2014, 05:32:56 amThe "power on" procedure is very common in Brazil and its neighbours where they are looking for drugs (legal and illegal) smuggled inside electronic devices.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 10:19:17 am
content: slightly updated story:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28223150wont be a problem i dont think for most devices as i would have my phone and tab on anyway, be interested to see how it applies to other stuff like portable USB chargers etc

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 11:23:09 pm
content: Does seem a strange rule indeed.I remembered this story in the news some time back:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahya_Ayyash

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 09:00:46 am
content: the daft thing is as reported yesterday on the uk radio, this is because there is a threat that the battery has been replaced with an explosive device....erm, the regular battery IS an explosive device!

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:27:22 am
content: I feel that just by reading this thread i might be picked on when i next go overseas....still even for the low tech way, what is stopping someone from replacing the batteries with unprotected hobbyist cells, and tacking on some tiny micro to the controller board to short out the cellls at a high altitude, ship 20KG of laptops with modified batteries in your checked in luggage, and you could likely blow quite a hole in any planes luggage compartment,

author: Yago
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 10:45:12 am
content: Quote from: Rerouter on July 10, 2014, 10:27:22 amAh, but we all tick the box that swears we won't be making anything nasty with our electronics! :p