Carry-on small electronics

I don't think there is an answer. At the moment nothing has changed. Supposedly some changes are under consideration. Some changes were made for middle eastern countries coming to the Europe and the US but -- so far -- nothing concerning European travel to the US. BUT - one announcement tomorrow and it all changes. I don't think the camera is a problem lap tops and ipad could be. Just wait for the announcement. You have no choice.

"Just wait for the announcement. You have no choice."

Sure looks that way.

When/If the announcement comes, I wouldn't be surprised if it will be effective immediately. Apparently US and European officials and airline representatives have been in talks, so if an announcement is made, the relevant parties will likely have had advance notice of the details.

If the ban happens, and if it's the same as the ban already in place in some countries, it will apply to any electronic item larger than a smartphone. Which would include point and shoot cameras, and iPad minis. Maybe a super tiny P&S camera would make the cut, but nobody really knows.

I'm trying not to fret about this, but a big part of the fun for me in traveling anywhere is taking my camera. And of all my possessions, the idea of losing a camera because I had to check it, is the most upsetting. At least the lenses wouldn't have to be checked, just the camera bodies.

This is surely coming. Really the only question is when. Check the news - this ban is the product of the juicy intelligence news that Tump was bragging about with the Russians last week. The ban was supposed to have already gone into effect several days ago - Delta Airlines even had signs printed up to that effect and had started posting them - but apparently the ban was held up temporarily due to pushback from the airlines and travel industry. But as sure as the sun will rise, you can expect it's coming. Look to the existing ban on flights from MIddle East countries for what to expect - basically, any device with a battery that's bigger than a cell phone. iPads, cameras, game consoles, anything that's powered. It appears the ban will only be on flights from Europe to the USA, but of course that makes no sense (for many reasons) so it could easily be expanded in response to the justifiable criticism that will follow. Personally, I expect that the ban will be expanded to all flights, including domestic flights within the US. As a historical note, I believe the current ban on liquids started out on just some flights, and was later expanded to all (that the TSA controls).

As an avid photographer who loves to travel, this kills me, but I'm quite sure it's coming.

I'm not sure how to respond (behaviorally...I know exactly how to respond politically and and rhetorically...). Am exploring options to buy some dedicated, externally-armored, internally-padded hard cases for checking camera gear and iPads, but those scream "steal me!" so they would need to go inside some ordinary, beat-up looking baggage to limit attention. Of course, it's all stillat risk of both theft and damage, so I also need to find some insurance policy that covers these goodies (most insurance has exclusions or laughably low limits on what they'll cover for electronics).

Business travel, which relies on laptops, is going to take a huge hit. This is going to change travel profoundly, and will lead to airlines going bankrupt. Oy. I'm going to go have a drink...

I'm hoping that before too long there will be new businesses in airports, specializing in shipping electronics safely for people who do not want to check them. Seems like this would be a gold mine.

However, even if something like that develops, people are (obviously) still going to be inconvenienced in the short term. At least DW and I will find out what a cell phone-only trip is like. For duffer photographers like us, it will probably not be that bad, and our carryons will even be that much lighter; but I sympathize with the serious photographers and people who really need laptops and tablets.

I've got trips coming up to Japan in July, and to Italy in September. For both trips, photography is one of the primary activities and joys. I have very expensive camera gear for these trips (and an iPad, and a handful of supporting electronic devices).

For the Japan trip, I'm hoping nothing much will change - fingers crossed.

For the Italy trip, I'm assuming that by September, the ban will be in effect at least for the return flight so I'm starting to investigate options for c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y packing these items in checked bags, or possibly just shipping home the goods (shipping would be slower and more expensive, but less prone to theft). I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping I'll be able to carry on my electronics on the outbound flight (but need to have a Plan B ready in case the ban is extended to flights to Europe).

What a headache! :(

This is surely coming. Really the only question is when.

I'll agree with that. I can foresee this adding to the hassle of going through security. There will be people who are totally unaware of the new restriction no matter how many signs are posted. Then there will inevitably be disputes about whether something is within the new rules. My camera is about 2/3 the size of my phone; you just have to place it next to the phone and it's obvious. But other situations might not be so clear. And I'm not worried about my netbook. First of all I can't imagine anyone stealing it. Secondly, if they did, while I wouldn't be thrilled, it's no big deal. On the other hand, if I had a good laptop, I'd feel differently. Or a good camera.

It is unfortunate that they look for things (take off shoes, get rid of your beverage, maybe soon your camera, laptop, iPad, etc.) instead of bad guys like Israel does. Is it really necessary to give the same scrutiny to eighty year old grandma and 25 year old guy (especially of certain origin)?

Much ado about nothing. Don't worry about bringing small electronics in your carry-on. Just follow the directions about pulling them out for inspection when going through security before boarding your plane.

There is a real issue, but you probably won't run into it. Anything you bring into the US is subject to inspection and you don't have your normal 4th amendment protection. If a CBP officer chooses to inspect your phone or Ipad, you must provide them with the password or expect to have it impounded. It's an issue because small laptops and tablets have been used for smuggling child pornography and money laundering, as well as containing incriminating evidence of human trafficking. Case law is all on the side of CBP. I think most of that is going away because the bad guys can do their thing without needing to carry anything physically across a border.

Personally, I'd provide them with my password if it came down to it because keeping my phone is more important that making a point, but that's just me. I've never been asked.

Brad is obviously not paying attention to the current realities - the ban on all electronics larger than a cell phone is already in place and has been for weeks on selected airlines from certain cities - and it is no longer an open secret that the current US administration is planning to extend that ban ton all inbound flights to the US from Europe. These are facts, not "alternate facts". It's very real. Currently, you can not board an aircraft departing from Istanbul or Cairo (and about 10 other cities in that part of the world) bound for the USA with any electronics bigger than that phone. That ban is about to be extended to all flights from Europe to the USA.

Brad, you appear to be very confused (or in denial) and seem to think this conversation is about CBP staff demanding to access the content of your electronic devices upon going through customs. That's not what this is about - that's a separate issue (although equally troubling). This is about being denied boarding if you have in your possession (if you try to carry on) an iPad, a camera, a laptop, or any other device larger than a phone. On any flight from Europe to the US

"Much ado about nothing" could not be more wrong. If this goes through, airlines will go out of business (a large part of airline profit comes from business travelers, who will not continue to fly as they do now if denied electronics); this is more than kids being cranky because they can't play with game consoles or tourists who want to watch their own movies on their iPads - for many business travelers, no laptop = not going. FWIW, the "Middle east Three" airlines (Emirates, Ethiad, Qatar) are reporting their revenues are down 50% since the ban was imposed on them weeks ago. Similar things would happen to United, Delta, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, etc.

BBC News

US and EU officials have decided against a ban on laptops and tablets in cabin baggage on flights from Europe.
But after a four-hour meeting in Brussels to discuss the threats to aviation security, officials said other measures were still being considered.
US officials had previously said they were looking into extending to Europe a ban on electronics on flights from eight mostly Muslim countries.

Thanks, Going234.

Looks like that article is the latest. I guess that's that. :-)

Yay!

Yes, thank you!

Thanks, Going234. Looks like that article is the latest. I guess
that's that. :-) Yay!

I'll see ya that "Yay" and add a "Yippee!!" :-)

Here's the press release that came out of that meeting:

Brussels, 17 May 2017
Today, European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, and European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, hosted a delegation from the United States in Brussels, led by Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke, to discuss issues related to aviation security and safety.
At the meeting, both sides exchanged information on the serious evolving threats to aviation security and approaches to confronting such threats. Participants provided insight into existing aviation security standards and detection capabilities as well as recent security enhancements on both sides of the Atlantic related to large electronic devices placed in checked baggage.
The United States and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely together on aviation security generally, including meeting next week in Washington D.C. to further assess shared risks and solutions for protecting airline passengers, whilst ensuring the smooth functioning of global air travel.