security camera power cable
Why do we have to pull out the laptop when going thru the security checkpoint at the airport?
And I don't mean, an answer such as "so they can scan it"!!!
I mean, what are they trying to do that their x-ray machine or scanner cannot accomplish with the laptop kept inside a laptop's carry-on bag. More precisely, if they can scan other similar equipment without being taken out of their bags (such as video recorders, still camera power supply and electric cables, cell phones, nintendo game consoles, iPads, DVD players, etc, etc ,etc) then why do can't they scan the laptop w/o being taken out of the bag???
RIGHT --- AND WHY DON'T THEY NEED AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF ANY OF THE OTHERS , SUCH AS VIDEO CAMCORDERS, IPADS, DVD PLAYERS, AND BLAH BLAH BLAH????
Okay, Robert, here is what I have been able to find. First, let me say that the other answers are correct, but I take it you are looking for more detail.
Please remember that the TSA is a large bureaucracy and things move slowly.
The whole, "take the computer out of the bag" thing goes back to 9/11. At that time (almost ten years ago) computers were much larger and the xray technology was not as sophisticated as today. Hard drives and batteries looked like explosives in the olden days. I remember in the days after 9/11 having to turn my computer on to prove it really was a computer.
To this day, camcorders that use tape must also be individually screened (because of the large VHS tapes used ten years ago). Other things, like iPod are too small to pose a danger (in the opinion of TSA)
Do they need to do this? Probably not, but until the TSA and its contractors come up with a more fool proof way of checking out what you bring on board, we have to live with it.
Will this happen soon? No, because most of the foiled bomb plots were with explosives attached to bombers' bodies. That is why we have to face the indignity of the full body scanner today.
I hope this information helps