TSA aka airport gestapo changes a rule

[seaboy4hire]

By Roger Yu, USA TODAY

As if Apple's iPad needs more endorsers.

 

In a break that gadget-loving road warriors will welcome, the Transportation Security Administration clarified in its blog last week that the new, slim computer wouldn't have to be removed from carry-on baggage by travelers at security checkpoints.

 

Ordinarily, travelers are required to remove laptops from their bags at checkpoints. But the iPad is a half-inch thick and is free of internal parts and accessories that can block images when laptops go through the screening machines.

 

Other electronic items smaller than the standard-size laptop — Kindle, Sony Reader and small netbook computers — also can stay in the bag, the TSA says. Screeners can use their discretion, though, and still may ask travelers to remove devices.

 

"It's important to remember, however, that our officers are trained to look for anomalies to help keep air travel safe, and if something needs a closer look, it will receive secondary screening," the agency says. "The key to avoiding bag searches is keeping the clutter down."

 

The TSA also recommends checkpoint-friendly bags, which have a separate laptop flap that can be unfolded flat on the machine belt.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-04-12-airportcheckin12_ST_N.htm#uslPageReturn

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Loving that I no longer have to take the netbook out of its case any more.

 

Hugs,

Greg

[+ deej]

Don't count on the TSA guys at the gate to know the difference between a laptop and a netbook.

[imrthr]

 

snip snip

 

Transportation Security Administration clarified in its blog last week that the new, slim computer wouldn't have to be removed from carry-on baggage by travelers at security checkpoints.

 

Ordinarily, travelers are required to remove laptops from their bags at checkpoints. But the iPad is a half-inch thick and is free of internal parts and accessories that can block images when laptops go through the screening machines.

 

snip snip

 

 

"It's important to remember, however, that our officers are trained to look for anomalies to help keep air travel safe, and if something needs a closer look, it will receive secondary screening," the agency says. "The key to avoiding bag searches is keeping the clutter down."

 

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Loving that I no longer have to take the netbook out of its case any more.

 

Hugs,

Greg

 

 

You see from the article that even though the netbook does not have to be screened separately, TSA has discretion and can inspect anything they want to see, including a netbook.

 

I travel a lot and carry a netbook. Each and every time I went through security, I was told the netbook must be separately screened despite a rule to the contrary and the rule cited in your article. The rule was written early last year but clarified by TSA only last week. I no longer leave the item in the carry-on bag.

 

In short, TSA can do just about anything it wants. Only if and when they get abusive does it pay to protest. Anything else, such as wanting to separately screen your notebook is not worth the associated aggravation to protest.

[whipped guy]

I went through TSA screening at La Guardia in NYC yesterday. I placed my laptop in the bin... fortunately covered with a clear plastic bag so it would not get scratched. When it emerged out of the "tunnel" someones shoes were on top of it... so much for the screening process... Now I would think that it would look like a super duper wired pair of explosive shoes when viewed by their trained experts... but evidentially not! ... and thank the gods I had it covered with plastic!