Restrictions on Electronic Devices

We recently traveled to Amsterdam on Turkish Airlines. First, I want to compliment Turkish Airlines on a series of great flights. We enjoyed good meals, good service and ample legroom in coach class from Chicago to Istanbul to Amsterdam and return.

Because we flew through Istanbul on Turkish Airlines we were forced to check some of our electronic devices. As working journalists we each carry a laptop, and cameras as well as audio recording devices etc.

We did not have to check our electronics on the way to Europe, but we did have to check them on our return flight to the U.S. The security check at the boarding area at Ataturk airport was very professional. Sue had to check her laptop after being asked to turn it on. She also had to check her Panasonic Lumix DSLR camera. Each item was wrapped in bubble wrap, labeled with an adhesive numbered receipt which also notated the contents of the package. A copy of the receipt was given to Sue which was used to recover the items when we arrived in Chicago.

I was asked to check a small netbook computer, but I did not have to check my Sony digital pocket camera, microphone, GPS unit, small digital voice recorder and a carry-on bag filled with cables, chargers and USB cords etc. We both kept our cell phones.

The bubble wrapped items were placed in a heavy duty road case similar to those used by touring musicians. The inside of the case was divided into smaller compartments so none of the items were stacked on top of each other. There is no question about it, these items were safer from damage than if they were simply in our carry-on bags in an over-head bin!

 Upon arrival at Chicago we used the Global Entry Program and breezed through immigration in about three minutes.

At the baggage claim carousel there was a small table where we presented our receipts and claimed our checked electronics. This was all done by the time our bags arrived on the carousel.

All in all, the total experience was not that bad. It is just another method of protecting the traveling public.