U.S. asks foreign airports to strengthen passenger electronics screening

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U.S. asks foreign airports to strengthen passenger electronics screening

By David Shepardson

 

FILE PHOTO: A TSA official removes a laptop from a bag for scanning using the Transport Security Administration's new Automated Screening Lane technology at Terminal 4 of JFK airport in New York City, U.S., May 17, 2017. REUTERS/Joe Penney/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wants foreign airports to tighten screening of U.S.-bound passengers' carry-on electronics and adopt U.S. domestic security procedures instituted last year, according to officials and a memo to foreign airports.

 

Amid growing concerns about the possibility of hidden explosives, TSA began stricter scrutiny of electronic devices by U.S. travellers last summer.

 

In July 2017, TSA began requiring domestic air travellers to remove all electronics larger than mobile phones including tablets, e-readers and video game consoles from carry-on baggage for screening. The new memo said the agency wants foreign airports now to adopt those procedures.

 

Foreign airports are also being asked to adopt TSA policy, instituted in mid-2017, that passengers may be required to remove food, powders and other materials "that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine," the memo said.

 

"The United States is seeking to collaborate with foreign governments to declutter carry-on bags and strengthen security effectiveness at your central checkpoints," the TSA said in the memo to foreign airports, government agencies and other entities that was read to Reuters.

 

U.S. officials said the security enhancements were not the result of new threats.

 

The memo is aimed at addressing screening of passengers from 280 airports in 105 countries flying to the United States. In total, about 325,000 airline passengers fly to the United States daily on 2,100 flights.

 

TSA spokesman Matthew Leas said Thursday the agency would not disclose "timelines or methods, but as always, we'll work closely with our international partners on this to ensure last points of departure airports align with our domestic procedures as a part of our efforts to raise the global aviation security baseline."

 

Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat, praised the changes. "Any flight coming from overseas should go through the same level of security as flights here in the United States. And if some countries are falling behind on that effort, they need to step it up," Nelson said.

 

In June 2017, the United States announced new requirements on foreign flights to end its restrictions on carry-on electronic devices on planes coming from 10 airports in eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

 

U.S. authorities in June 2017 also ordered increased security around aircraft, in passenger areas and other places where travellers can be cleared by U.S. officials before they depart as well as additional use of explosive trace detection testing.

 

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-04

[DoctorG]

Computers being screened separately has bee the norm for ages, well, in every airport I have been through in the past few years.

[shady86]

Waste of time and nowdays computer are getting smaller and more compact, how is it possible to fit explosives inside?

[car720]

better still, just don't go there. 

[Kasset Tak]

So, US wants to control what 105 other countries does... Soon the rest of the world will look to Russia and China for help as US continue to seeks world dominance!!!

[RuamRudy]

36 minutes ago, Kasset Tak said:

So, US wants to control what 105 other countries does... Soon the rest of the world will look to Russia and China for help as US continue to seeks world dominance!!!

I think that sounds a bit churlish. I am not fan of US policy, domestic or foreign, but they are requesting this procedure be followed only for flights with a US destination. There is nothing there about imposing this requirement on any other country as long as the destination of the flight is not within the US.

[geriatrickid]

4 hours ago, shady86 said:

Waste of time and nowdays computer are getting smaller and more compact, how is it possible to fit explosives inside?

Nonsense. Have you seen the devices that  catch fire because of the batteries? It doesn't take much today.

 

1 hour ago, Kasset Tak said:

So, US wants to control what 105 other countries does... Soon the rest of the world will look to Russia and China for help as US continue to seeks world dominance!!!

LOL. The USA has every legal and moral right to set the safety requirements of aircraft seeking to enter its airspace. I have to give my fingerprints when entering Japan and bags of  racially profiled visitors are targeted. Can you have a word with the Japanese please.

[watcharacters]

3 minutes ago, geriatrickid said:

Nonsense. Have you seen the devices that  catch fire because of the batteries? It doesn't take much today.

 

LOL. The USA has every legal and moral right to set the safety requirements of aircraft seeking to enter its airspace. I have to give my fingerprints when entering Japan and bags of  racially profiled visitors are targeted. Can you have a word with the Japanese please.

 

 

Maybe Kasset Tak  would be better served by directing his displeasure at the groups and organizations that caused all the security concerns in the first place.

 

[car720]

So sad.  For whatever the reason, gone are the days of just getting on a plane with your passport and visa.  I miss those days.

[korkenzieher]

Last night, my TV was full of tourism slots for various US destinations. Tourism USA must be getting hit real hard. I wouldn't go while I get treated like scum at the airports. Someplace else can have the money - it is, after all, my choice!

[RuamRudy]

16 minutes ago, korkenzieher said:

Last night, my TV was full of tourism slots for various US destinations. Tourism USA must be getting hit real hard. I wouldn't go while I get treated like scum at the airports. Someplace else can have the money - it is, after all, my choice!

Is there evidence to suggest that the enhanced checks are designed for any purpose other than to protect people from terrorism? Why are people so upset that there are others who seek to make them more safe? 

Edited May 4, 2018 by RuamRudy