Mobile Phones And Airports

[ImLostAgain]

When your sending your belongings through airport security is it ok to leave your phone, tablet etc in your coat pockets? If not, do they have to be on top of everything and on show?
Unfortunately I'm not going on holiday, it's just a discussion we've been having.

[Prudie]

I believe they have to be out and on show.

[ubasses]

When we went through in April, they wanted the tablet in the tray separarely, but were not concerned about our mobile phones which we left in our flight bag to go through the scanner.

[ImLostAgain]

Thanks Prudie, that's me wrong then....again.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

As long as they go in the plastic tray it doesnt matter whether they are inside or outside your coat. The scanner will see them either way.

[ImLostAgain]

I wonder why that is ubasses.

[Hazi-Hammenuhoth]

I never empty my jacket which contains (normally) keys, mobile phone, coins, inhaler and medication. Just put the jacket in the tray, and that's it.

[ImLostAgain]

Oooh, so I could be right! Thanks Hazi-H

[Prudie]

If I can amend - your phone doesn't matter but tablets do have to be out and separate.

[Prudie]

And here's a paste from Smarttravel:
Tablets, e-readers, cameras, handheld DVD players and phones can remain in your carry-on. Just make sure they’re out of your pockets!

[ummmm]

Electrical items have to be on show.

[Zacs-Master]

my experience having taken 6 international flights in 15 days recently. Tablets have to be placed in the plastic tray on show.

[ImLostAgain]

Sigh!! Now I'm totally confused.

[ladyalex]

I've always had to have my tablet on show .
They don't seem to care about phones.

[maggiebee]

Well, you're not going on holiday so does it really matter to you?

[ubasses]

There are probably some Security Staff that can't keep up with the rules and err on the side of caution. We went through the fast track, and we were trying to get everything out of the bag as we had last October. The Official said, just any tablets/laptops. I queried phones and kindles, he said they could stay in the bag.

[ImLostAgain]

Well I'd like to thank almost all of you for your helpful comments.

[IJKLM]

It varies by airport, time of day, staff on duty etc.

I go through airports very regularly. Just returned after going through Heathrow, Mexico City, Panama Tocumen...

General situation is that phones can usually be left in a coat pocket or bag, though for almost the first time I was asked to take my phone out of my bag at when departing from Panama Tocumen.

Laptops always have to be out of the case and visible.

iPads and similar full-size tablets are often (but not always) treated like laptops.

Mini-iPads, Kindles and other e-readers are usually treated like phones, but it is not uncommon to be asked to show them.

Then we get on to shoes, belts. Half the time they ask you to remove them and put them through the scanner. Other times they tell you to go through the scanner.

Also, battery packs for topping up phones and so on. If the battery capacity is not marked clearly, then there is a high risk of getting them confiscated. Many security places have an upper limit on capacity of 15,000mAh or so. That's completely random, in my experience.

Finally, small aerosol sprays (such as anti-perspirant). Sometimes they don't even look; other times they will remove it saying all aerosol sprays are dangerous goods.

In China they ask you to remove your umbrella and show it separately.

Long story short - it depends on the airport and level of alert as well as the individuals on duty.

[Prudie]

I have to agree with that, on a lesser note it's the same with lighters. I always have one in my handbag. Half the time it goes through and half the time they confiscate it,

[Gromit]

You tablet must be charged when you go through customs.
If you cannot demonstrate it working if asked, it will not be allowed on the plane.

[Buenchico]

Official policy (from the Stansted Airport website):

"Technology - If in hand luggage, remove all large electrical items from your bag, for example; laptops, hair-dryers, staightners, docking stations, etc"

and

"Loose Items - Please remove the following from your trouser and shirt/blouse pockets:
Keys
Coins
Mobile phones
Other metal items"

Source:
http://www.stanstedairport.com/at-the-airport/security/