Flight Security Changes – Mobile Devices Must Turn On
New security changes to flights coming into the United States are already underway.
Homeland Security has instituted several new screening measures after a “vulnerability” was discovered. According to intelligence officials, terrorists are developing more “sophisticated” bombs in effort to get them past the current inspection practices.
The Transportation Security Administration is now enforcing these upgrades in security to international flights. The United Kingdom and other allies are also considering and instituting changes of their own along with cooperating with America to ensure the safety of passengers.
Per Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson…
“DHS continually assesses the global threat environment and reevaluates the measures we take to promote aviation security. As part of this ongoing process, I have directed TSA to implement enhanced security measures in the coming days at certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States. We will work to ensure these necessary steps pose as few disruptions to travelers as possible. We are sharing recent and relevant information with our foreign allies and are consulting the aviation industry. These communications are an important part of our commitment to providing our security partners with situational awareness about the current environment and protecting the traveling public. Aviation security includes a number of measures, both seen and unseen, informed by an evolving environment. As always, we will continue to adjust security measures to promote aviation security without unnecessary disruptions to the traveling public.“
What does this mean for travelers?
Expect a stronger focus on shoe inspections and electronic devices. Another round of swabs to detect chemicals associated with the creation of bombs will also be instituted. Passengers will be asked to turn on their cell phones and devices to prove their functionality. If the items fails to turn on, passengers will undergo additional screenings and may not be allowed to board.
Johnson didn’t confirm or deny that these additional security measures would eventually apply to domestic flights during an interview on NBC’s ‘Meet The Press’.
“We continue to evaluate things,” Jeh confirmed. “The screening we have right domestically from one domestic airport to another is pretty robust as the American traveling public knows. In this instance, we felt that it was important to crank it up some at the last point of departure airports and we’ll continually evaluate the situation.“