A sign of things to come?

[Workingman]

The UK and US have decided to ban some electronic devices from cabin baggage on some airlines and from some countries on inbound flights The ban includes: laptops; e-readers; tablets; dvd players; and smartphones over a certain size - though why smaller smartphones are exempt is a bit of a mystery.

All of the airlines are State carriers from Moslem countries, as well as UK carriers to those countries when returning.

Another mystery is Why? and Why now?

Something is going on and we are not being told what it is. If I was due to be going to any of the countries concerned I would be hitting the "Cancel" button, at least until a clear indication for the new rules was given.

[JoM]

I'd be doing the same Frank, although in all honesty I wouldn't have booked to go to any of those places anyway. It's all very mysterious- and worrying. It definitely feels like there's something we're not being told.

The whole smartphone thing is odd. Why are smaller ones, which would have the same capabilities (and indeed the same capabilities as a laptop or tablet), allowed while larger ones have to be checked in? That makes no sense whatsoever.

And on a different security note. Will insurance companies cover loss or damage to valuable technology which has been checked in?

[AliasAggers]

There must be some reason for this action, and I'm quite happy to accept the decision they have made.
(not that I'm likely to travel by air). They must have a good reason for it. Modern technology provides
many opportunities for anyone to interfere with electronic devices, and we should be glad that someone
is taking action to prevent such activities.

[Suff]

The whole smartphone thing is odd. Why are smaller ones, which would have the same capabilities (and indeed the same capabilities as a laptop or tablet), allowed while larger ones have to be checked in? That makes no sense whatsoever.

Because the smaller one's can't carry enough of anything to really damage an aircraft.

This is actually quite amusing. In France you can't put your laptops, tablets or phones into your luggage, they won't let you and if you do they will see it on the xRay and tell you to get it out and put it in your handbaggage.

Some interesting complications there..

[JoM]

Do I remember new rules coming into place quite recently where electrical items had to have charge and you could be asked by security to prove that they were functioning? Will this mean an extra security check even before waving off checked in baggage so that laptops etc can be assessed?

[Workingman]

There has to be something behind the new rules, but what?

And they are a hell of a mess. If all these devices now have to be carried in hold luggage do they have to have their batteries removed and be switched off? How will that be ensured? Saying they have to go in the hold is one thing, making the rule work is something else entirely.

Another thing. Many of these items are expensive to replace if damaged, and baggage handlers are not known for their gentleness or respect for our bags. I can see the insurance companies wanting words, not that I am worried about insurance companies' concerns compared to our safety.

However, I do see a business opportunity for someone designing 'baggage handler proof' containers for all our electrical gizmos.