With all the recent news tied to travel bans and on-again-off-again laptop restrictions, you might be confused about what’s allowed and what’s not.
Here’s what you need to know.
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Laptop rules
Quite simply, laptops are allowed on planes.
As always, you cannot use laptops at takeoff or landing, but you are free to use them mid-flight.
What’s more, many airlines today offer optional Wi-Fi to purchase, so you can be on the Internet, as well. But don’t forget you can now download movies and TV shows from Netflix to watch offline, or download music from Spotify ahead of time, to listen to without Internet access. Taking advantage of this feature could save you money.
Before you get on the plane, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says you must remove your laptop from your bag, backpack, or purse, and place it in a separate bin at the security checkpoint for scanning. Due to increased security measures, you may be asked to open your laptop after it passes through the X-ray belt, or in some cases, turn it on for the TSA officers to prove it’s really a laptop.
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Note: you might not need to take out your laptop if it’s in a “checkpoint friendly” bag. Specific criteria include: a designated laptop-only section that unfolds to lie flat on the X-ray belt; no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section; no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section; and nothing else in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.
More info on these approved bags are at this TSA site.
Other electronics
Up until the summer of 2016, you only needed to take a laptop out of your bag at a TSA security checkpoint – and leave all other electronics inside of small luggage, a backpack, briefcase, or purse – but today you may be asked to take all gadgets out of your bag.
In fact, the TSA has announced new procedures for screening large electronics in carry-on bags have begun at the Denver International Airport – the sixth-busiest airport in the U.S. — and will continue to roll out around the country in the coming weeks and months. This includes passengers asked to remove electronics larger than a smartphone from their carry-on bags in some lanes, to help officers get a clearer view on the X-ray machine.
In addition, officers might ask passengers to remove other select items, including food and liquid (up to 3.4 ounces, or 100 milliliters, per bottle), from their carry-on bags. TSA encourages travelers to organize their carry-on bags and keep them uncluttered to ease the screening process and keep the lines moving.
TSA says these stronger security measures do not apply to passengers in TSA Pre✓ lanes.
Laptop batteries
One more note about laptops: spare lithium ion batteries must be carried in carry-on baggage only, says the Federal Aviation Administration.
That is, you cannot keep lithium ion batteries in your checked luggage, which will be scanned, and possibly denied onboard the airplane. Save yourself the hassle, and comply.
More:Midair firestorm: Lithium-ion batteries in airplane cargo spark fear
What about the laptop ban?
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In late July, U.S. Homeland Security ended its controversial four-month ban on passengers carrying laptops onboard America-bound flights from certain airports in the Middle East and North Africa.
But the Trump administration issued a directive to airlines around the world, to enforce stricter passenger screening at foreign airports – and those airlines that fail to meet these stringent security requirements could face the return of in-cabin electronics restrictions.
More:Enhanced security in effect on international flights to USA
More:TSA tightens electronics screening for domestic flights, too
Other gadgets
As for takeoff and landing, you’re allowed to have your smartphone in your hand, so long as you disable its cellular connectivity, such as putting it in “Airplane mode” (which disables all wireless radios, in fact).
Most airlines will allow you to use larger devices, too — like tablets, ereaders, and portable gaming systems – but flight attendants will likely ask you to remove earbuds or headphones while (taxiing to or) on the runway, in case you need to hear emergency instructions.
Tip: Many but not all airlines have a plug in the back of the seat in front of you, to charge up your electronics – whether it’s a USB port for smartphones and tablets or an AC plug for larger electronics, like a laptop. But in case it’s not offered, bring your own portable battery charger for smaller devices, to keep your tech topped up – and yes, they’re allowed onboard, too.
Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. E-mail him at [email protected].
Source: https://tholansonnha.com
Category: laptop
