Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!lll-winken!uunet!apctrc!drd!john
From: john@DRD.Com (John Horeth)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.laptops
Subject: Airport Security - Summary
Keywords: Security, Airport
Message-ID: <1991Feb14.163723.11511@DRD.Com>
Date: 14 Feb 91 16:37:23 GMT
References: <10588@bunny.GTE.COM> <3476@casbah.acns.nwu.edu>
Sender: John M. Horeth, II
Followup-To: john@DRD.com
Organization: DRD Corporation
Lines: 45


As far as I can tell from the responces is that the impact on Domestic flights
is that you may have to jump through more hoops but that they are still 
allowed on.  However you may want to check for both you departure and 
destination airports since not all airports are operating at the same level
to security.  It seems not only does the fact that there is international
flights out of that airport but also how much of the local populace is 
Middle-East is use to determince the level of security.  Here in Tulsa we have 
a fair of Middle-East students so we have a higher security level than would
otherwise be anticipated.

Also the security levels may change.  Remember the recent crash in LA where
the first words out of their mouths were "This was not terrorist related".  If
it had been, say good-bye to the current level and hello to a higher level.
This was the gist of one responce.

International flights, especially those to Europe are very restrictive and
would probably not permit a laptop.  I have no confirmation of this just that
no electronic devices are allowed on the plane.  Some suggested that they 
would ship you the device only after it had passed a pressure chamber test.

P.S. By the way I chickened out of taking my laptop along on the trip due
to the uncertainty of the rules.  I had to make other arrangements.

P.P.S.  Also if you want to know the real rules, talk to the people who man
the X-Ray machine check point.  Talking to just airport security may not get
you the complete answer.  Here in Tulsa the city police are the security up
to the X-Ray machine and do not have full communication with the X-Ray people.
I found this out when I called the operation manager here in Tulsa.  She then
had to talk to the X-Ray people, not the police to get the full scoop.  At
first it was I could not take the battery pack (how do you demostrate it
is a computer without it, unless they let you plug in the A/C adaptor?).  Next
she check with the X-Ray people and found out all I had to do was demonstrate
that indeed it was a computer by turning it on and that the battery packs were
OK.  So the source of the answers is just as important as the answer.  Also
at the time I went all the answers had not made up, so things may have changed
somewhat.

Moral of the story, is check with the X-Ray people at the airports you will
have to go through security.  Then still be prepared for the game to change
in case the worse happens and the terrorists start bombing US planes.

john@DRD.com             | John M. Horeth, II 
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