If you thought airport security couldn’t get any tougher -– think again. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) just made it more difficult for people flying into the United States from certain international airports. The TSA is requiring these passengers to power-up their electronic devices prior to boarding the plane.
As if taking off our shoes, placing all liquids in clear plastic bags, and closely measuring our carry-on essentials down to 3 oz. wasn’t enough, international travelers now must make sure their phones are fully charged before arriving at the airport. New reports suggests that there are bombs that can pass airport security and can be triggered using a mobile phone, such as the Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, or these phones can be the bomb itself. By requiring passengers to power up their devices, authorities will be checking to make sure phones are bomb-free.
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TSA says that mobile phones will be confiscated if they cannot power up, but British Airways, has taken further steps and says that it will bar passengers from flying. This can be a problem for people with connecting flights to the U.S., who have used their phones as music or video players for the duration of the flight. Phones die all the time and now this may prohibit passengers from making it to their destination on time — if at all.
These new security measures will not be in place in all international airports, but the TSA has not revealed which ones will be impacted by the new regulation. Everyone should purchase a backup charger now when flying since a dead phone may result in not being able to board a U.S.-bound plane.