New US & UK Laptop/Tablet ban on up to 8 countries

[serfty]

If you look at the colours of the countries UAE is US only

Correct!

DXB -> USA = Ban

DXB -> UK (or anywhere else) = No Ban

 

[Pushka]

Who are "they"?

ABC news. Too confusing for the average traveller. So UAE banned for US but not U.K. But other countries banned to U.K. What a mess.

 

[mushez]

Wonder if DWC is on the USA ban list? All EK flights to USA now depart DWC?

Also interested if any impact on EK205/206 to JFK with 5th freedom stop in Malian?

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
Emirates apparently working on a gate check option. I read it but can't find the link.

With a bit of work, that may be a workable and safer option.

Keep your electronics with you. Collected and receipted either at the gate or post security and ultimately put into a "secure" (fireproof?) container which goes into the hold. Would still allow HLO and would be a safer option for LiI battery devices. Yes, still a PITA but maybe palatable whereas insecure checked in luggage would see pax changing their flight behaviour.

 

[Pleb Status]

Sure, in some airports configured for additional gate screening this is able to be implemented- but a fair bit of work for the local authorities to update gate team with what is allowed on each departing flight (one to Germany, next one to US, then Canada, etc), or dedicated gates for "ban" flights?

Different issue where gates are open to each other and no X-ray station. physical bag searching will disrupt boarding as another poster mentioned.

Gate/jet bridge screening is undertaken very regularly now at almost every airport with flights to the USA (and Australia for some reason). I have been through it numerous times in HKG, SIN, DXB and SYD in recent times. Where a dedicated area is not available, they normally just find a gate at the end of a concourse where they can isolate passengers from other flights. At HKG it was done on the jet bridge.

You do not need an Xray machine or any special equipment to check for the offending items. A 5 minute briefing and everyone will be good to go on the new rules. The only additional disruption will be to those who deliberately want to violate the rules (even if they are idiotic).

 

[exceladdict]

Wonder if DWC is on the USA ban list? All EK flights to USA now depart DWC?

Also interested if any impact on EK205/206 to JFK with 5th freedom stop in Malian?

I wonder if any of the ME3 will look to expand these 5th freedoms - wouldn't mind SYD-LAX in EK F...

 

[Radio8tiv]

Buffett may have had some insider information and this is not as sudden as we are all led to believe,
with him (Berkshire Hathaway) buying into the three US airlines, https://www.forbes.com/sites/gurufo...g-3-airline-stocks-cuts-walmart/#144a9c961a89

also buying a lot of Apple and IBM shares, I can see more sales and repairs to buy replacement(stolen) electronics and broken electronics in the future https://www.forbes.com/sites/invest...-about-buffetts-technology-buys/#3eb49704ba58

 

[docjames]

As a pro photographer, this is going to be a huge PITA. I don't choose where I fly to (the client sees to that) and depending upon the schedule, sometimes I don't get the choice of airline as I'd like either.

I carry the minimum I can get away with as hand luggage so that I can still shoot if the other gear ends up swanning around Timbuktu!! From experience, however, packing it in the hold is not an acceptable alternative. We travel with special camera cases, designed to protect photographic equipment for those items that can go into the hold, and have had gear packed in these, smashed beyond repair on several occasions and also had gear go swanning around the world for 6 months on another two occasions.

The BBC also brought up a very valid point today as well, regarding the security of data on laptops - would companies be happy to have their employees packing sensitive information into bags that could be destroyed, lost or stolen?

And when did lith-ion batteries suddenly become safe - last time I checked most airlines forbade such items to be packed in hold baggage due to the danger of them catching fire.

Guess I'll just sit back and watch my travel insurance policy rise ridiculously, to cover the increases in damage and theft claims.:mrgreen:

Illustrating the issue, but surely if this is a factor, a routing that avoids direct flights to US is the way to go (eg. DXB-SYD-LAX)?

 

[Archphoto]

Illustrating the issue, but surely if this is a factor, a routing that avoids direct flights to US is the way to go (eg. DXB-SYD-LAX)?

If we undertake a shoot in Dubai and the next shoot is in the US, re-routing is obviously possible, but the client sure won't be picking up the tab for the extra costs involved.

 

[kpc]

I just checked my work (also covers personal travel) travel insurance which states I would be covered for electronics including laptops if

the Conveyance operator has specifically instructed the Policyholder or Covered Person that such items must be placed in the hold prohibiting the Covered Person from carrying the item(s) as personal cabin baggage. Where the Covered Person is so prohibited, the Electronic Equipment and/or jewellery must be reasonably and adequately packaged and protected from theft or damage

Of course data loss, photos etc will not be covered so it will be prudent to make backups of these before the items are checked in

 

[docjames]

If we undertake a shoot in Dubai and the next shoot is in the US, re-routing is obviously possible, but the client sure won't be picking up the tab for the extra costs involved.

Surely it becomes a cost of the contract / doing business and therefore gets on-costed.

I accept not if there's an existing contract.



I was using your situation as an example only.

I guess my point was, there are ways around the ban, it's just not convenient (although AFFers might like the "why fly direct") and likely more expensive.

One also wonders how effective this policy will be when presumably the people they are trying to prevent nefarious action, could also manage a similar re-routing.

 

[TheRealTMA]

With a bit of work, that may be a workable and safer option.

Keep your electronics with you. Collected and receipted either at the gate or post security and ultimately put into a "secure" (fireproof?) container which goes into the hold. Would still allow HLO and would be a safer option for LiI battery devices. Yes, still a PITA but maybe palatable whereas insecure checked in luggage would see pax changing their flight behaviour.

Great idea. For 500 people, not gunna happen. Maybe one needs a DYKWIA sticker!

 

[esseeeayeenn]

With a bit of work, that may be a workable and safer option.

Keep your electronics with you. Collected and receipted either at the gate or post security and ultimately put into a "secure" (fireproof?) container which goes into the hold. Would still allow HLO and would be a safer option for LiI battery devices. Yes, still a PITA but maybe palatable whereas insecure checked in luggage would see pax changing their flight behaviour.

Some good points, but I am not sure storing a whole lot of devices containing lithium batteries in the same container is a good idea, considering the overheating problems.
If it cascades from cell to cell within one battery I assume that, given proximity, it could cascade from battery to battery.
Any container that was (relatively) fire - and explosion - proof would surely also be heavy.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip> Maybe one needs a DYKWIA sticker!

Oh dear ... sounds like you don't have one. :shock:

 

[RooFlyer]

Some good points, but I am not sure storing a whole lot of devices containing lithium batteries in the same container is a good idea, considering the overheating problems.
If it cascades from cell to cell within one battery I assume that, given proximity, it could cascade from battery to battery.
Any container that was (relatively) fire - and explosion - proof would surely also be heavy.

Hey, I'm on a roll. Put the devices in an airtight container and pump it full of nitrogen. Might only add $50/ticket and 15 mins at departure

 

[kpc]

One also wonders how effective this policy will be when presumably the people they are trying to prevent nefarious action, could also manage a similar re-routing.

Those of us who travel frequently will notice / work out loopholes / weaknesses in the system which could be exploited by people with not so good intentions

 

[paxman]

Emirates uses Jennifer Aniston to take a shot at the US laptop ban

good on emirates for this quick rework of a cleaver campaign. all so very convenient it happens to be middle eastern airlines

 

[bwhouse]

This is going to make my trip report in July considerably harder not to mention I am not overly keen on checking laptop and camera gear.

I wonder what the chances of the ME3 coming up with Gate Check processes and allowing passengers to take electronic items for the first leg of a journey and then check then at the gate in DXB/AUH before the second leg into the US

 

[paxman]

I predict some form of 'park and ride' set up.

 

[moa999]

Might put paid to all the efforts to roll out WiFi if this expands more broadly.
Or new machines to specifically scan laptops/ tablets