[NewsPoster]

Passengers of some international flights terminating in the United States will face a greater scrutiny of their electronics before being allowed on the airplane. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is putting into force new security rules that requires electronic devices to be able to switch on at the time of the security screening, with devices containing flat batteries unable to be let onboard.

NBC News reports the measures at overseas airports are a bid by the TSA to prevent terrorist groups from blowing up aircraft. The new rules dictate that security agents can ask travelers to turn on notebooks, smartphones, tablets, and other devices at checkpoints, allowing only those with power onto the flight. Smartphones from Apple and Samsung have apparently been singled out, while owners of powerless devices will also face additional screening procedures.

The new instructions will be implemented at "certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States," and though the TSA does not state which airports, it is suggested it will include locations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

[Inkling]

For those outside the U.S. who'll be flying here facing this rule, the TS stands for Terminally Stupid. Its a federal program to give work to people not clever enough to flip burgers. Why make a non-functioning cell phone a bomb when you can stash far more explosives in a functioning laptop? Americans refer to this as "security theater." TSA officials think that imposing more hassles on the public makes us feel more secure. It doesn't. It just ticks us off. And for the record, I flew into and out of Israel on the #1 terrorist target in the entire world, El Al. Total time involved in security checks--about fifteen seconds. El Al knows safety. The TSA doesn't.

[bjojade]

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with finding 'explosives' within the device. There are many larger devices that could contain explosives that would be more easily disguised.

No, the reason they want you to turn on your phone is a way of tracking your activity. When you turn on your device, it will be visible, and identifiable to track your movement patterns. No need for you to do anything other than make sure your device is turned on.