New electronics rules unveiled at airports
Fliers must remove full-size devices from carry-ons for screening
Kelsey Hazlewood
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 8, 2007 12:00 AM
Tech-savvy children and adults toting DVD players, video cameras that use cassettes, projectors and full-size video games through Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will now have to spend even more time at security checkpoints unpacking and repacking their electronic devices.
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration imposed a new rule that requires all large electronics to be removed from carry-on luggage before passing through security.
Cellphones, music players and hand-held video games are not affected.
The electronics to be checked must be placed in a separate bin to pass through the X-ray machines.
Laptops have always had to be removed from carry-on luggage, but now that screening includes the full-sized game consoles like PlayStation 2, full-sized DVD players and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure breathing machines.
Nico Melendez, TSA public affairs manager for the five state region including Arizona, said that to be safe, any electronics except for cellphones and small music players, such as iPods, should be removed from carry-on luggage.
The TSA rule took effect Saturday along with revised rules allowing breast milk and most cigarette lighters to be carried on board planes. But few passengers had heard about it.
Fountain Hills resident Nancy Barbero, 62, had not heard of the new large-electronics rule but said it was probably a good idea.
"It's going to take more time," Barbero said. "But I think if we need to do it, we need to do it."
Families with children seemed to be the most wary of the rule, simply because it is one additional obstacle to deal with at the airport.
Charles Benion, 9, of Detroit, was traveling through security Tuesday with his great-aunt Margaret Sample, 52, of Gilbert. Benion had a PlayStation 2 console in his backpack, which he had to remove and place in a bin because of the new rule.
Jeff Russell, 52, of Delaware, said airport security was difficult to deal with before, but because his two boys have "way too many" electronics, it will now be more exhausting.
However, Russell supported the new rule.
"I think it's necessary because there's crazy people out there that ruined it for the rest of us," he said.
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