Re: AKICIF: Exploding Pagers

Charles Packer  <mailbox@cpacker.org> wrote:

On Thu, 19 Sep 2024 13:31:28 -0400, Evelyn C. Leeper wrote:

Are there any SF stories that predicted the sort of attack via exploding
pages/walkie-talkies/etc.?

>
I wonder what effect these (news) stories will have on airport security
procedures. Up until now I haven't flown often so I was surprised
in August when the agent asked me if I had any tablets or laptops
in my carry-on and when I answered yes asked me
to take it out (a Kindle Fire) and place it in the tray to run
through the x-ray separately from the bag. I don't
recall this happening on a trip last November.

This has been "best/standard practice" for more than a decade now in
pretty much every airport I've flown via. That includes dozens of EU
airports, dozens US airport (both domestic and international flights)
and a couple of Asian ones.

I think this became commong around the same time the 100mL/1L
(3.4fl.oz/?) rules for liquids? Or perhaps after 9/11?

In fact, whats NEW is that the last few years we finally have scanners
that promises to do away with all this thanks to higher resolution and
better penetration. But it's still spotty and very varied between
countries and different airports.

The same scanner technology also promised to abolish the liquid and
"no jacket" rules but... the examples I know of has since walked back
to the old liquid limits after test showed that there was dangerous
liquids that would still slip past even these (basically the
manufacturer oversold their capabilities).

My cell phone, also in the bag, apparently was exempt from this
scrutiny.

It's still scanned, just together with other things. Which is fine as
long as there's not too much clutter or any dark voids in the scan.

And if they can't make out some details they'll usually rotate the bag
and send it again, and if it still can't be resolved they may take out
all items that could be responsible and send the bag and the items
through individually (or find it, say "ahh" and let it go). Been
there, seen both (IIR it had a 170W laptop charger, some USB cables
plus noise cancelling headset, it happens but is RARE).

The reason "large electronics", "laptops, tables" or "laptop, tables
and cameras" tends to be called out and needing to be sent through
separately is because they're far more likely to trigger this so
they're saving time by just doing it pre-emptively instead of scanning
each item 2-3 times. And also reducing the risk of missing something.

But as I mentioned the rules at different airports vary a lot
depending on how good/recent equipment they have and how much the
relevant regulatory body trust said equipment. Most airports have a
mix of old and new equipment, so it's not necessarily consistent even
in one airport terminal!