[IanW99]

Don't know if anyone has seen this article yet?

US Officials given power to sieze British visitors laptops (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2486124/US-officials-given-power-to-seize-British-visitors-laptops.html)

Apparently, they have had this power for a long time but it has only just been made public.

It would also appear to include those who just transit through LAX so may affect many of us who travel from the UK to NZ.

I don't know how common this problem is, or if it will become more common as it has now been disclosed, but thought it was worth mentioning on the forum because if any of you are like us, you would have brought most of your life over on your laptop.

Worse still, you may have important information stored that you need in NZ when you first arrive which you will not have until they release the laptop (possibly upto a month).

Might be good to have a contingency plan just in case?

For those that didn't read the article, this includes any form of data storage so your mobile phones, ipods etc may also be siezed for no reason.

Ian

[JandM]

Thanks for this, Ian.

[Alan]

Cheers Ian, and apologies to all the good folk on here from the U.S but I for one am fed up of hearing how the U.S loves Britain so much but we are treated so poorly whenever going there even if it's to spend money.

[Mrs Pony]

That's because we American's rule the world!! MUUAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ::cough:: ::cough:: I mean... lame! :exit

I guess just don't look like a creepy tourist/terrorist? The airports have been getting really strict over here... Even I've been searched... just flying to another state..

[BkyMonster]

Cheers Ian, and apologies to all the good folk on here from the U.S but I for one am fed up of hearing how the U.S loves Britain so much but we are treated so poorly whenever going there even if it's to spend money.
Cheer up! The US treats its own citizens just as badly as it treats those of other countries. :D

The TSA has far far too much power and no sense at all IMO.

Now, I'll stop before I get my rant on and end up on a no-fly list.

[Leccy-Lee]

LOL Problem is sadly "many" Americans and mainly those making the rules DO "think" they rule the world! LOL

Sure China will knock em down a few pegs soon enough ;)

[BaldyBeardyBloke]

Sure China will knock em down a few pegs soon enough ;)

Yes, could be interesting.

Did you see the Chinese bloke on the news who, because Beijing has been declared a 'no smoking zone' for the olympics is going around actually physically removing cigarettes from people's mouths and handing them a notice about the no smoking rules.

Imagine trying that in downtown LA, Glasgow or Bradford. He would have a pretty short life expectancy! I'd give him about 30 minutes.

[Joolzr]

My 5 hours in US immigration two years ago still makes me mad. I'd fly via Asia every time. Great food, lovely quiet airports, good airlines, no ques, lovely people (mostly), cheap hotels and wonderful weather. No contest!

Julie

[Leccy-Lee]

Yes, could be interesting.

Did you see the Chinese bloke on the news who, because Beijing has been declared a 'no smoking zone' for the olympics is going around actually physically removing cigarettes from people's mouths and handing them a notice about the no smoking rules.

Imagine trying that in downtown LA, Glasgow or Bradford. He would have a pretty short life expectancy! I'd give him about 30 minutes.

LOL in Glasgow i'd only give him 30sec :laugh

[James 1077]

All the more reason to avoid the US until they are civilised enough to join the rest of the world!

If only you could get the same luggage allowance flying through HK!

[Mrs Pony]

All the more reason to avoid the US until they are civilised enough to join the rest of the world!

If only you could get the same luggage allowance flying through HK!




Wow... I know that we want to leave the US an all... but are we really THAT bad?!

[victoria24]

the immigration officials could do with going on a course run by barry chuckle...

[Keith C.]

This is one of the things that I've been upset about too. As I understand it, it applies to both foreigners and American citizens. I think that it will eventually be ruled unconstitutional along with several other prominent policies of the last eight years. Meanwhile, the custom agents can capture the terrorists' plans, the pornographer's pictures, the business man's business plans, and my personal information.

This is not the America I was raised in. It makes me sad. The good news is that I think that a new administration will be able to reverse some of the damage that the current one has done to America's image. Unfortunately, there are some things that can't be undone.

Keith

[Keith C.]

What is NZ's policy on searching and/or confiscating laptops? I got the impression that the contents could be examined, but I'm not sure where I got that impression.

Keith

[victoria24]

I think to be fair that customs and immigration from most countries have far reaching powers anyway. in the UK, you are guilty until you can justify your innocence when interviewed by customs officials. if people want a beak at my laptop they can carry on.. it's not very interesting!

[NikT]

Put all important docs & files etc. onto an online storage.

Nick:cheers

[PeteS]

Put all important docs & files etc. onto an online storage.

Nick:cheers

If you really were a terrorist, would you really have all your plans on the laptop you are taking with you? Do Talking and Standing Around (TSA) really think terrorists are that dumb?

We fly via Asia now, it's far more civilised. There was talk at one time of Air NZ flying via Vancouver rather than the Untied States, although if that really would make a difference I'm not sure.

[JandM]

I think to be fair that customs and immigration from most countries have far reaching powers anyway. in the UK, you are guilty until you can justify your innocence when interviewed by customs officials. if people want a beak at my laptop they can carry on.. it's not very interesting!Yes, but I wouldn't want to be without it for weeks while they did. Especially if they insisted in keeping it in the US while I, a mere transit passenger, continued on to my destination.:uhoh

[M-Squared]

Talking and Standing Around (TSA)

:laugh:laugh:laugh:laugh

[thewoodies]

I was having the LAX conversation with my sister who travels alot - she said it would give her comfort that they were being thorough! Some airports are really slapdash - so yes its an inconvience but its for our safety (will have to remind myself this when in LA in dec!!!!:laugh)

My OH flew into Heathrow on Friday and our custom officials were a women completely covered in a headscarf, an african and an indian in a headress - he wasnt sure if he was home or not!!!!:laugh