Seal of the United States Department of Homeland SecurityThe Department of Homeland of Security today announced new carry-on restrictions that prevent U.S.-bound passengers from eight Middle Eastern countries from carrying personal electronic devices larger than a smartphone in the passenger cabin.

The TSA order, which does not have a stated end date, covers laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, portable DVD players, and handheld gaming devices larger than a smartphone. According to the "emergency amendment", such forbidden devices must be stowed in checked baggage.

The list of Muslim-majority countries includes Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. The nine airlines impacted by the order are Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Saudia, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar Airways, Emirates and Ethiad Airways.

If the airlines fail to implement the changes within 96 hours, the Federal Aviation Authority could revoke their clearance certificates, which would ban them from flying into U.S. airspace. No U.S. airline is affected by the ban because none currently operates direct flights to and from the above destinations.

U.S. Administration aides declined to comment on any new or specific threats, but said the government had made the decision based on evaluated intelligence suggesting some terrorist organizations have considered using consumer electronics as a way to hide explosives and smuggle them onto passenger planes. It's not yet clear if or how this ruling relates to the Trump administration's revised travel ban, which is currently being challenged by U.S. courts.

The full airport ban list announced by the Department of Homeland Security includes: Queen Alia International Airport (AMM), Cairo International Airport (CAI), Ataturk International Airport (IST), King Abdul-Aziz International Airport (JED), King Khalid International Airport (RUH), Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Mohammed V Airport (CMN), Hamad International Airport (DOH), Dubai International Airport (DXB), and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).

(Via Associated Press.)

Update: The U.K. is also reportedly placing an electronics device ban on some flights, suggesting the actions of both governments is in response to specific intelligence.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Top Rated Comments

snowboarder Avatar
85 months ago
That will stop all business travels from those airports. There is no way
I will check my laptop period. Not only it will break while thrown by the amazing
baggage handlers, but if it gets stolen, I have sensitive information stored there...
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Steve.P.JobsFan Avatar
85 months ago
Smells like more BS from the camp of Dear Leader Trump...

But hey, who knows, maybe DHS isn't lying and there is "new intelligence" that makes this legitimately necessary.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smallcoffee Avatar
85 months ago
Well, at least they got Saudi Arabia this time around.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2010mini Avatar
85 months ago
Thanks President Trump for keeping us safe, everyone still has a pre-911 mindset. They're people in does countries that one to kill us, and liberals want them in here because of their guilt. Laptop batteries are turning into bombs, and just because you want to be PC you don't care if a bomb goes off here or there. Your hatred for our President and reality is suicidal. Not "ALL" muslims want to kill Americans, but there is a "SMALL" percentage that do, and that's just enough to harm us in the homeland for the second time.
This is a stupid partisan post. None of these measures "keep us safe" it is all Security Theater to give you the SENSE of security.

I have worked at an international airport for a number of years. I can personally tell all the stuff TSA/Homeland put passengers through is utter ********.

Right now every worker with access to aircraft in every airport can leave secure areas and return to it without being checked. I and all my coworkers did it on a regular basis. You all have no idea how stupid all the crap they put you through is.

Enjoy the security theatre..... I hear it will be a long running show.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
85 months ago
Allowing for a phone but not an e-reader makes no sense. What can you do with an e-reader than you can't do with a phone. Or a tablet for that matter.

I don't travel those routes - but those long flights just got a lot longer for those that do
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Steve.P.JobsFan Avatar
85 months ago
Thanks President Trump for keeping us safe, everyone still has a pre-911 mindset. They're people in does countries that one to kill us, and liberals want them in here because of their guilt. Laptop batteries are turning into bombs, and just because you want to be PC you don't care if a bomb goes off here or there. Your hatred for our President and reality is suicidal. Not "ALL" muslims want to kill Americans, but there is a "SMALL" percentage that do, and that's just enough to harm us in the homeland for the second time.
What is it with Republicans always blaming liberals? We don't have "guilt" as the reason for wanting refugees, we have god damn morals and a sense of humanity.

A "small" percentage of Muslims (those are radicalists/extremists, by the way) want to harm us. Just like a "small" percentage of white, conservative Christians want to harm Muslims - like the mosque shooting in Québec City.

Or are you going to reply to me and say that was Obama's fault? :rolleyes:
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
Apple Watch Edition Gold 2015

Original Apple Watch is Now Obsolete, Including $17,000 Gold Model

Monday October 2, 2023 9:15 am PDT by
All first-generation Apple Watch models released in 2015 were added to Apple's obsolete products list on September 30, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors. As a result, these outdated "Series 0" watches are no longer eligible for repairs or other service at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Provider locations. The list of obsolete models includes the first-generation...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Mac Trade-In Changes May Indicate New Model to Launch This Month

Tuesday October 3, 2023 6:30 am PDT by
Apple may be proceeding with plans to release a new Mac model this month, according to potentially related information obtained by MacRumors. Details pertaining to imminent changes to Mac trade-ins provided to MacRumors by a verified source suggest that Apple will likely begin accepting new models for trade-in this month. Similar changes in June coincided with WWDC, when Apple began accepting...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...