Electronic devices now banned from international flights bound for the U.S.

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Dogasu

Dogasu

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I really hope they lift this ban before the next time I head home...the idea of a 13 hour flight with no DS is horrifying.

http://kotaku.com/5434915/how-will-new-rules-affect-in+flight-gaming

It's not a petty concern. Since Friday's incident en route to Detroit, airlines are ramping up security procedures at the behest of the government, and "approved portable electronic devices" have long been a whipping boy for this sort of thing.

Unfortunately, it sounds like they'll be verboten for international flights inbound to the U.S. While the Transportation Security Administration has issued no formal rules (and, in fact, is being deliberately vague about them) Gizmodo and several other sources are reporting the ban as fact.

Another key detail: for international flights inbound to the U.S., passengers will have to remain in their seats for the last hour of a flight, without access to their carry-on baggage (above or underneath a seat) and without any personal items on their laps. So, better pee up before that final hour, and make sure you're at a good stopping point in Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines.

It's also unclear how this affects travel within the U.S., but you can bet it will, beginning with long lines as screeners tighten their focus. Other measures either reported or expected include the aforementioned no cabin travel for the last hour of a flight; keeping the cabin lights on for the entire trip; disabling the display of a flight's progress in the seatback monitors offered on some planes; and generally making sure you resent the experience from check-in to baggage claim.

As there are a ton of variables in play here, for U.S. flights and for those in other countries, and as plenty of folks are flying either today or tomorrow - or this time next week - returning from holiday travels, we're opening up a comment thread here to report what you've seen. Especially as it relates to the use of electronic devices. Flying is such an unpleasant process these days, laptops, handhelds and DVD players have become almost indispensable for their diversionary qualities. Plus, some are still under the illusion they can get work done midair.
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Has anyone else heard about this?
 
I can't say I'm going to be affected too much, as I live in New Zealand, but I should remember this if I go to America any time soon. I can understand why they'd be doing something like this, but it's a huge inconvenience, really.
 
So long as it oesn't affect flights in the US I'm okay. It still sucks though.
 
Ouch, that really puts a damper on those treacherous long flights. My mom is heading overseas in late January. Guess I'll have to warn her about that return trip. Like you said Dogasu, those 13+ hours on the plane with nothing to do are downright horrific.

I've carried books with me during flights in between game sessions cause I know I'd probably loose batteries eventually. They've been helpful at alleviating that burden. Then again, not everyone can easily pick up a book and I know some don't do well with reading in motion.

I'd say bring a sketch book or notepad as back up if you're ever caught in the unfortunate position without your handheld. Even on 4-5 hour domestic flights, you're bound to cook up something more interesting than the inbound movie.

Also for any potential fliers, most domestic flights no longer offer a free meal option fyi, so certainly pack something to eat. (That is unless you want to spend $9+ on cheese and crackers. I'm serious D: )
 
Aww man... I'm supposed to take a domestic flight returning home (I'm on the other side of the US right now) in a few days... Does this mean I can't take the speakers, headphones, keyboard, mp3 player, cell phone, or graphing calculator I brought along for the trip back home with me?
God, I hope this doesn't apply to CDs, too...
And the hour with the carry-on in the bag is worry-inducing, last time I tried getting my bag under the seat, CDs and all, two of the cases cracked, and I'm pretty sure I almost snapped a CD in half. As for the top, I don't trust my stuff in the top.

...Okay, okay I know, I sound like a total paranoid right now, but if this is what I think it is, then the well-meaning air traffic control laws have just f**ked me out of at least $170 USD (both the keyboard and the calculator are rented) any means of communication between flights, (last time I welshed on didn't do that, Mom thought I was dead) my music, (my main distraction in life) and 75+% of my total yield this Christmas(that is, unless Grandpa starts driving us back home first thing tomorrow morning).
 
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The ban is for using electronics onboard, not for simply bringing them.

So, like, bringing your DS should be fine as long as you never turn the power on.
 
Rayne said:
I'd say bring a sketch book or notepad as back up if you're ever caught in the unfortunate position without your handheld. Even on 4-5 hour domestic flights, you're bound to cook up something more interesting than the inbound movie.
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Pens and pencils will be banned next. They can be weapons used by the ter'rists.

We're just one step closer to all flying butt naked "just in case".
 
So...wouldn't a more logical course of action be to perform a cursory check of these devices at the bag check? When I went to Calgary they ran my DS and my pocket pet through the x-ray.
 
Crap, this better not affect domestic flights. Good thing the one I'm taking next week is just two hours, but still.
 
Glad I'm not going to the US anytime soon then. But when I think of it, whenever I use my DS on an airplane, I get tired of it and put it away shortly afterwards. Still, I'd like to listen to some music most likely, so that's a bummer.

Leave it to the terrorists to spoil all the fun.
 
I've heard about it. Well, this'll make New York and Paris interesting...

Good thing I like to read.
 
I don't see why we have to be tortured I see it as the governments fault that he was able to get on the plane.
 
Thing is, he is a person. And a terrorist.

Ergo, all people are terrorists.

It's ridiculously bad logic, but it's how the American government seems to think.
 
Great. Now we jsut have to wait for the official announcement.
 
Honestly do any of these changes make anyone feel safer? I know none of this stuff really makes me feel safer. Especially since a skilled person can turn anything into a weapon; and whenever a defense seems to rise, the foes attack seems to fallow.

It's just this sounds abysmal, not only would you not be able to use DS, but no music players or movie players as well! They're just asking you to pay attention to whatever crap is on their TV, lol. That's like borderline torture (when you combine the TV diners they give you, or peanuts... if you really are on a cheap flight) I don't know, I'm beyond sick of the airlines industry, and even though this isn't their fault, this is not helping their image in my eyes.

Another thing I don't support are those full body scans, I definitely prefer the uncomfortable pat-down because basically they expect us to have faith that these images will not be passed around or on the internet just like they expect us not to hijack a plane... yeah that sounds rational. (Actually, it is especially because even though they angle the screens away from people in that line, other people can still see the images if they are just on the other side... it really has a feeling of sexual harassment) I just want to put it out there that it isn't something I want to sit down for and expect to just "adjust to new standards"
 
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