U.S.A Bans Electronic Devices
Nothing larger than a cellphone will be allowed on board (except medical equipment).
This means ALL those lithium batteries will be packed in checked baggage, contrary to ICAO and FAA recommendations. Cabin crew are trained to deal with lithium battery fires using the new 'Firesock' technology, so it is preferable to have them in the cabin.
CNN alludes that homeland security is concerned about bombs from Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
"In a written statement, the Department of Homeland Security said, "We have no comment on potential security precautions, but will provide any update as appropriate."
A State Department official says embassy officials have been notifying relevant countries and airlines.
Another U.S. official says the ban on some electronics is believed to be related to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula or AQAP. The intelligence community has been tracking this threat for some time, but the official said that some information from a recent U.S. Special Forces raid in Yemen contributed to the ongoing concern."
Royal Jordanian tweeted that it was one of the airlines but the tweet has since been removed.
Standby for cargo fires ... for sure, someone is going to leave one of those devices switched-on.
UPDATE:
The ban is only on direct flights originating in one of 13 countries and landing in the USA … and only for the next 96 hours, according to rumours citing Royal Jordanian officials.
The FAA Directive NOT to put batteries in checked baggage is HERE.
Airline Secrets Exposed (on Facebook) has just posted (1500 AEDST):
"New TSA requirement blocks passengers from bringing laptops, iPads, Kindles and cameras, with a lack of specifics on whether flight crews are included in rule.
US authorities have secretly required airlines from 13 nations to forbid passengers from carrying any electronic or electrical device larger than a cellphone. By Monday afternoon, a US official had briefed Reuters that the ban followed a “terrorism threat” and was expected to be announced on Tuesday.
The new edict was distributed in an email described as “confidential” from the US transportation safety administration (TSA) on Monday.
The requirement forbids passengers from bringing laptops, iPads, Kindles and even cameras larger than mobile phones into the cabin. All such devices must be checked.
Saudi Arabia’s Saudia Airlines and Royal Jordanian airlines are among the affected countries; the full list has not been revealed to the affected airlines themselves.
The email – described as a “circular” – is not a public regulation, but airlines will be expected to enforce the new rule. Airlines were issued the circular on Monday and given 96 hours to comply; the rules apply to flights both to and from the US, according to Royal Jordanian airlines.
The circular does not address electronic flight bags (EFBs), which allow flight crews to display diagrams mapping flight patterns, maps of airports and other digital documentation, usually on an iPad.
The lack of specificity leaves airlines in the dark as to whether their employees will be cited or otherwise punished for performing the vital functions of aircraft crew as usual.
The official said no American carriers are impacted by the ban, which is expected to be unveiled on Tuesday by the Homeland Security Department.
Compliance has been swift: “Effective March 21st, the carriage of electronic and electrical devices inbound to the USA shall only be inbound in checked baggage except for mobile and medical devices,” according to a reservation agent at one of the affected airlines.
Royal Jordanian tweeted a reference to the restrictions, referring cryptically to “concerned US departments”. It was suggested that Royal Jordanian disobeyed the circular in part by making its existence known. The airline deleted the tweet on Monday afternoon after it had been up for several hours."
________________________
CONSPIRACY THEORY:
Could it just be FAKE NEWS to limit the economic damage being done by the big three Arabian carriers?
________________________
CONTACT
James@CrammondMedia.com
www.CrammondMEDIA.com
________________________
LINK TO THE NEW DAILY's ARTICLE:
http://tinyurl.com/mb3p9bu
LINK TO THE CNN STORY:
http://tinyurl.com/mzf7rac