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  • THURSDAY AUGUST 10 2006 7:00 PM

U.K. to Patrons: We Promise Not to Break it!

Submitted by Posh

Edited by Rahodeb

Tags: airline security, iPods, laptop, bomb, annoying policies

In a bold move by U.K. authorities following an alleged bomb plot and the arrest of 21 suspects, all electronics have been banned on Airplanes traveling from or through the United Kingdom. Laptops, iPods and cell phones must all be packed and checked in with baggage before boarding a plane.

From January through June of this year, U.S. passengers filed nearly 1.8 million reports concerning mishandled baggage, according to U.S. Department of Transportation statistics.



Considering how fragile laptops can be, I cannot understand how one is actually expected to hand over an often expensive piece of equipment--usually with a large and important part of their life stored in it--to random airline workers with a notorious reputation for mishandling baggage. The thought alone leaves me clutching my Macbook close to my chest and stroking it gently. Heck, I would rather just avoid flying to the UK until these new rules are reevaluated.

Those new rules are available at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/

Richard Starnes, computer security expert and president of the U.K. branch of the worldwide Information Systems Security Association, suggests laptop users ease their worries by using the following guidelines:

-- Back up data: Enterprises may have a regular schedule for backing up data, but personal users may be less rigorous.

-- Passwords: Protecting a laptop with passwords is imperative. Users could configure their laptops to prompt them for an additional password during the BIOS process, when a computer first starts and checks its hardware configuration, Starnes said.

-- Encryption: The data on a machine may be worth more to a thief or hacker than the hardware itself. High-profile losses of laptops have raised awareness about encryption, another way to ensure a lost laptop doesn't have other crushing consequences for a business.

-- Insurance: Data may be lost, but there will be compensation for the lost hardware. Airlines for domestic U.S. flights usually limit their liability for baggage to US$2,800 per passenger, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. A top-grade laptop could exceed the limit.



And somehow I still don't feel anywhere near comfortable handing over one of my most important possessions. Not to mention, without an iPod, or the 4 hours or so of battery life in my laptop, what is one supposed to do on the flight? Read?!

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Comments
CyberEdZ

CyberEdZ

United Kingdom
January 2005

AUG 10, 2006 07:09 PM

I'll certainly be setting off on long-haul flights from France or the Netherlands if these procedures persist...

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

I'm lost
August 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:11 PM

good thing i fly jet blue. i just love their direct tv and xm radio services! biggrin

zenFish

zenFish

Vancouver, BC
August 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:14 PM

was waiting for this to happen ever since 9-11.

now my question is this, what about cameras? specifically film based ones?

*sigh*

I'm wondering if all of this is here to stay, of if it will ever get "rolled" back.

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

I'm lost
August 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:20 PM

zenFish said:
was waiting for this to happen ever since 9-11.

now my question is this, what about cameras? specifically film based ones?

*sigh*

I'm wondering if all of this is here to stay, of if it will ever get "rolled" back.



here in the states, they had restrictions on lighters, but those were recently removed. i guess they're back in place now, though.

Cassiel

Cassiel

Aurora, CO
September 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:20 PM

shut up and get used to it people. some people have to fuck it up for everyone, and then it's everyone out of the pool.

Posh

Posh

SUICIDEGIRL

California, USA

AUG 10, 2006 07:23 PM

zenFish said:
was waiting for this to happen ever since 9-11.

now my question is this, what about cameras? specifically film based ones?

*sigh*

I'm wondering if all of this is here to stay, of if it will ever get "rolled" back.



According to the website, the only items allowed into the cabin are the following:

- pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards, etc - handbags are not allowed.
travel documents essential for the journey (eg, passports and travel tickets)

- prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic

- spectacles and sunglasses, without cases

- contact lens holders, without bottles of solution

- for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags)

- female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg, tampons, pads, towels and wipes)

- tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs

- keys (but not with electrical key fobs)

Seems like a film camera also falls under eletronics. Again, no way I'd trust them with my beloved camera either.

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

I'm lost
August 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:28 PM

Posh said:
- for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger)


this wins it for me. somewhere, out there, is a terrorist learning to enjoy the taste of gasoline.

Margot_Dent

Margot_Dent

Los Angeles, CA
February 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:28 PM

- female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg, tampons, pads, towels and wipes)


so, what, just stuff a bunch of tampons in your pocket? but only enough for the flight, or else!

balls.

Chainlink

Chainlink

Key West, FL
August 2005

AUG 10, 2006 07:29 PM

I can not fly now.

Unbearable.

must swim

MrStitches

MrStitches

Brooklyn, NY
November 2003

AUG 10, 2006 07:33 PM

How the hell is a diabetic supposed to prove the authenticity of their liquid insulin? Or really any liquid medicine? It's not like you can just take a swig of it like you can with breast milk or something. I'm almost glad I am too broke to fly anywhere. Not to mention not being diabetic.

zenFish

zenFish

Vancouver, BC
August 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:40 PM

Posh said:
important info.



god dam that sucks.

wait... nothing larger then your id, or wallet?

stupid thing to point out.. no books?

damn, that sucks.

this also means i'd be investing in a pelican case to carry my laptop and camera equipment in... with a nice fat lock to keep out snoopers.

it's funny, everyone says this is for protection, but frankly, either way some shithead terrorist is highfiving his friends.

feh.

MrStitches

MrStitches

Brooklyn, NY
November 2003

AUG 10, 2006 07:43 PM

zenFish said:
it's funny, everyone says this is for protection, but frankly, either way some shithead terrorist is highfiving his friends.

feh.



There is something really funny about the image of terrorists in full islamic garb high fiving.

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

I'm lost
August 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:45 PM

MrStitches said:

zenFish said:
it's funny, everyone says this is for protection, but frankly, either way some shithead terrorist is highfiving his friends.

feh.



There is something really funny about the image of terrorists in full islamic garb high fiving.



they probably have some kind of secret handshake that involves snapping, twirling around, pointing their fingers like guns, and ululating, amongst other things.

filmjedi

filmjedi

Brighton, MA
June 2004

AUG 10, 2006 07:57 PM

our lives are at stake here people. this is serious.

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

I'm lost
August 2004

AUG 10, 2006 08:22 PM

benhasglasses said:
our lives are at stake here people. this is serious.



if you let this keep you from laughing, if you let this scare you, you're playing right into the terrorists' hands. i'm serious. lighten up.

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