How the Government’s New Airplane Electronics Ban Could Affect Your Next Flight
It looks like the executive office is looking for all sorts of ways to affect airline travel in light of the legal overturning of the Muslim travel ban. While many are working to ensure that any executive orders coming out of the Oval Office are legally sound, the administration keeps up with the orders. Earlier this year, 97 tech companies spoke out against the travel ban, citing their high-immigrant status staff, and we’re wondering if they will be vocal again, considering what this latest rule could mean for millions of travelers.
With a mere 96 hours to comply, airport staff will be left scrambling to decide what to do with this electronics ban. Essentially, the ban indicates that if you are traveling from one of 10 airports, anything bigger than a smart phone needs to be stored in checked baggage or will be confiscated by airline officials. This does not bode well for business travelers who usually only travel with a carry on.
The US has imposed an electronics ban on ✈️ from major Middle Eastern and African airports. What you need to know: https://t.co/Sb6v0LQL9Z pic.twitter.com/vEpj3Awshk
— CNN (@CNN) March 21, 2017
Many reporters are also questioning exactly what’s behind the ban, noting that it actually affects people from all over the world, considering that the airports in question are stopover hubs for people traveling from Eastern Europe and Asia to North America. The Washington Post also mentions that this forces journalists and activists to hand their devices over to government officials, which can be seen as a way of silencing these groups.
While the White House has yet to actually explain what the true purpose of the electronics ban is, and with countries like the UK and Canada eyeing similar rules, we’re curious as to how this will all shake out for regular travelers and business professionals alike.
One thing’s for sure, however — this new rule is creating almost as much havoc as the previous ban did for all people in airports, so if you’re traveling in the next few days, prepare for some major security delays.
Have you ever had your electronics confiscated? Tell us about it @BritandCo!
(h/t HelloGiggles; Photo via Justin Sullivan + Sean Gallup/Getty)