TSA Laptop Policy

Dear friends & fellow world wanderers:

I just encountered some information even I did not know—when US citizens return home from overseas, TSA is entitled to seize our laptops and KEEP THEM FOR MONTHS if we present suspicious aspects. Please see:

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/08/new-dhs-laptop-search-policy-crap-sandwich-fancier-bread.ars

If you think this is not something to worry about, may I remind you that TSA recently detained a former president of India?

I strongly suggest you take an alternate data device when traveling outside the US; especially those of us who may have ever said or written something non-complimentary about TSA and Homeland Security. You know who you are! And so do they…

And if you do have to take your main computer, as I will on a trip to Europe next month, BACK UP EVERY BIT OF DATA on it before you leave. I don’t know about you, but if I had no access to what’s on my hard drive for 6 months, it would be professionally fatal.

Yours for a better world (someday),

Eric Lucas

Eric Lucas is a an international travel and business writer who lives in Seattle; to learn more, visit his website, www.TrailNot4Sissies.com.

 

Comments

[Mark]

Eric,
You've been standing out in the Seattle rain a little too long. You're all wet on this issue. TSA has absolutely nothing to do with a passenger arriving on any flight--domestic or international. The original article you linked to says absolutely nothing about TSA. Which orifice did you pull this out of?
Mark

[Jay Clip]

Hi Eric - TSA employe here, but not a member of the Fan Club (I didn't drink the Kool-Aid at Indoc.) Glad to accept the paycheck, though. And for the record - I have ZIP to do with the goose-stepping Nazi-like screeners of TSA. At any rate, it's not TSA that looks at suspect peoples' laptop computers when arriving in the US. That would be the fine men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Like TSA, they are also under DHS, but they are a completely different agency. Thanks for letting me set the record straight. It's nice to know that there's a travel complaint out there not TSA's responsibility!!! :)

[Jay Clip]

Dang, Eric. I just read the rest of your article! You really need to check up on them facts!!! TSA did *NOT* detain a former president of India. What happened actually took place *IN* India and involved NO TSA employees. Continental Airlines was screening passengers like they're supposed to do, and along came this former president of India, who is NOT above being treated like any of the other passengers. Here's the link to TSA's press release:
http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/security_screening_former_president_india.shtm