US and UK ban cabin laptops on some inbound flights

The US and UK are banning laptops from cabin baggage on flights from certain countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Turkey.

The US ban on electronic devices larger than a smartphone is being imposed as an anti-terrorist precaution.

It covers inbound flights on nine airlines operating out of 10 airports. Phones are not affected.

The British ban, announced hours after the American measure, is similar but applies to different airlines.

Downing Street said airline passengers on 14 carriers would not be able to carry laptops in cabin luggage on inbound direct flights from Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

The Turkish government said the US ban was wrong and should be reversed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39333424

As hold baggage is often thrown out of the aircraft (called 'unloading') will the owner of an expensive laptop be compensated for any damage incurred? I doubt it. LL

I just don't know, LL, but there is clearly a problem.



That was caused by a laptop bomb, and the passengers and crew were incredibly lucky.

I saw someone on TV complaining that security isn't nearly as strict on trains, but trains cannot be turned into unguided missile fragments, killing not just those onboard but people on the ground - see Lockerbie.

Just had a thought. I wonder if this ban is out of fear that laptops, etc., could be used to interfere with the plane's computer system?