Get All Access for $5/mo

Why the TSA Now Wants You to Turn On Your Cell Phone Before Boarding 'Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft,' the TSA said, in order to thwart bombs potentially concealed within handheld gadgets.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

After U.S. intelligence officials discovered earlier this year that al Qaeda was fashioning new bomb varieties, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that some travelers flying to America from overseas will have to power up their phones prior to takeoff.

"During the security examination, officers may ask that owners power up some devices, including cell phones," the TSA said in a press release. "Powerless devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft."

While travelers may be familiar with shuttering their phones prior to takeoff, this new measure aims to thwart bombs potentially concealed within electronic devices, reports ABC News.

Related: British Airways Testing 'Happiness Blanket' to Make First-Class More Comfortable

It is unclear which airports overseas will be impacted by the new processes.

Sources told ABC that officials are taking precautions against Syrian terrorist groups working alongside al Qaeda's branch in Yemen. The fear is that terrorists might ultimately corroborate with "one of the thousands of Americans and other foreign fighters carrying U.S. and European passports" in order to carry out an attack, the outlet reports.

"Aviation security includes a number of measures, both seen and unseen, informed by an evolving environment," stated U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson in an announcement preceding the enhanced security procedures.

Related: Surprising Tricks: How to Sleep on a Plane

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

5 Reasons Why Time-Tracking Can Put Your Business in a Chokehold

More and more businesses are adopting time-tracking software to manage their operations, but is it all it's cracked out to be?

Starting a Business

He Started a Business That Surpassed $100 Million in Under 3 Years: 'Consistent Revenue Right Out of the Gate'

Ryan Close, founder and CEO of Bartesian, had run a few small businesses on the side — but none of them excited him as much as the idea for a home cocktail machine.

Franchise

The Top 10 Coffee Franchises in 2024

From a classic cup of joe to a creamy latte, grab your favorite mug and get ready to brew up success with the best coffee franchises.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Marketing

How Small Businesses Can Leverage Dark Social to Drive Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Dark social accounts for 70% of social media shares and is crucial for small businesses. Here's how you can tap into this hidden marketing opportunity.

Business News

Looking for a Remote Job? Here Are the Most In-Demand Skills to Have on Your Resume, According to Employers.

Employers are looking for interpersonal skills like teamwork as well as specific coding skills.