New Airport Security Checks Require Your Electronic Device To Turn On

Make sure it's charged or it'll be confiscated

[engine]

This is an interesting one. I've started a journey with a fully charged device, however, i've also been travelling and the battery on my device has become exhausted. My charger was in the checked luggage so I was unable to recharge the device. That being the case, under the new regulations, I expect my discharged device to be confiscated.

Now i'm going to have to carry chargers, international power adaptors and charge leads in my hand luggage.

A number of airports, including Heathrow, have been ordered to intensify screening of electronic devices.

American transport officials said in a statement that passengers could be asked to switch on devices, and equipment that does not power up would not be allowed on board.New Airport Security Checks Require Your Electronic Device To Turn On [bbc.co.uk]

[Shepherd]

I remember a few years back they were doing that here in the U.S. but they stopped, not sure why though.

[graeme_p]

I assume the US stopped doing it because it is annoying, unreasonable and pointless. So is most of the rest of airport security, but this is even more so.

[lucy24]

I assume the US stopped doing it because it is annoying, unreasonable and pointless.

?
Can anyone point to a single instance in human history where a governmental entity discontinued a practice purely because it was annoying, unreasonable and pointless?

[Marshall]

Yes Congress. They stopped working because they are annoying, unreasonable and pointless.

:)

[engine]

I do find this whole thing rather strange. Surely, any object we take on board could be a threat, and it'll soon require travelling real light.

[Shepherd]

I do find this whole thing rather strange.

My guess is that it is easier to hide/disguise explosive material and an electric detonator in an electronic device than it would be in say a book or clothing.

[graeme_p]

Read some security blogs - there are lots of ways around airport security. Its mostly security theatre - ever wonder why procedures vary so much from country to country that much of what is checked at one end of a long haul flight is not at the other? All a terrorist needs do is board at the other end!

[thecoalman]

Surely, any object we take on board could be a threat,

The phone would have components or resemble components you might want to use in a bomb and the larger components like the battery or screen could be modified with an explosive. Plus nearly everyone has one so it wouldn't be out of the ordinary to have this device and checking each one is very cumbersome.