Laptop computers and mobile phones are likely to be added to the list of banned carry on items for all the US-bound flights. CNET Networks, a media company based in the U.S., reported that the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) would come up with stepped-up security measures on the heels of a failed attempt to blow up a Northwest Airline flight on Christmas Day as it was preparing to land in Detroit.
According to the New York Times, new security measures introduced by the U.S. TSA would include the following: passengers flying to the U.S. are subject to pat-down searches of their thighs and busts; all of their bags are physically inspected; and passengers are required to stay in their seats without access to their carry-on bags or overhead lockers during the final hour before landing.
Once all the electronic gadgets are banned, long haul flights to the U.S. will lose a big source of in-flight entertainment to kill time. In addition, in-flight wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) is likely to be disabled on international flights connecting within the U.S. Media outlets including CNET hope that TSA's stern security procedures will not be carved on tablets of stone and will only be implemented on a temporary basis.
