Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
Feb 15th 2014, 4:23 am
#16
American Expat
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,598
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
So weird to me that the US embassies/consulates have so much security! In the Maltese consulate you just walk in and speak to the friendly people inside. No security at all, no one is armed, mobiles definitely allowed, laptops too! I was even invited into the Consul's office for a chat...
Malta? You're talking about an island country where a third of their navy fleet is inflatable. They don't even secure their own country, so why start with the consulates?
Some consular posts in small countries are one dude in his bathrobe. I walked past the Albanian Embassy in DC and it had a screen door with laundry hanging on the clothesline.
Feb 15th 2014, 5:51 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: SW Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,960
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
Malta? You're talking about an island country where a third of their navy fleet is inflatable. They don't even secure their own country, so why start with the consulates?
Some consular posts in small countries are one dude in his bathrobe. I walked past the Albanian Embassy in DC and it had a screen door with laundry hanging on the clothesline.
Some consular posts in small countries are one dude in his bathrobe. I walked past the Albanian Embassy in DC and it had a screen door with laundry hanging on the clothesline.
Sorry,but Malta does have a decent navy fleet... Who do you think saved all the migrants in the Mediterranean sea who would have died (due to their poorly constructed "boats") if not for the Malta coast guard. But, we are secured with help from the European Union and the UK especially...
Feb 20th 2014, 5:15 pm
#18
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
Laptops are banned, but cell phones are allowed. In between there are iPads, iPad minis, maxi smart phones, iPhones and similar, and all manner of e-readers, with varying capabilities to communicate by phone and/or wifi.
It will be interesting to hear where security draws the line, but in truth, where ever the line is drawn it will be arbitrary and pointless.
It will be interesting to hear where security draws the line, but in truth, where ever the line is drawn it will be arbitrary and pointless.
Feb 20th 2014, 5:16 pm
#19
Often not so civil...
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: The Boonies, GA
Posts: 9,561
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
cell phones are allowed. In between there are iPads, iPad minis, maxi smart phones, iPhones and similar
arbitrary and pointless
Feb 20th 2014, 5:20 pm
#20
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,965
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
Laptops are banned, but cell phones are allowed. In between there are iPads, iPad minis, maxi smart phones, iPhones and similar, and all manner of e-readers, with varying capabilities to communicate by phone and/or wifi.
It will be interesting to hear where security draws the line, but in truth, where ever the line is drawn it will be arbitrary and pointless.
It will be interesting to hear where security draws the line, but in truth, where ever the line is drawn it will be arbitrary and pointless.
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Feb 20th 2014, 6:02 pm
#21
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
I used to have a cell phone which I could use to make and receive phone calls. If I was desperate I could use the number pad to key txt messages.
I now have a Motorola Atrix2, and it's phone capabilities are verging on insignificant compared to the many other things it can do. It is a watch/ alarm clock, a still camera, a video camera, a video phone, a photo album, an appointment calendar, a web browser, a game device, a remote for my TV, a mini TV in its own right, an e-reader, a pocket calculator, a map, a GPS locator, an e-mail terminal, a photo editor, an address/ contact directory, a memo pad, a bar code reader, a "walkman", a radio, .... the list goes on and on. Therefore IMO there is a substantial and significant difference between a (mere) "cell phone" and a "smart phone" (incl iPhones).
Perhaps you could provide an example of a Federal Agency that does? 
I now have a Motorola Atrix2, and it's phone capabilities are verging on insignificant compared to the many other things it can do. It is a watch/ alarm clock, a still camera, a video camera, a video phone, a photo album, an appointment calendar, a web browser, a game device, a remote for my TV, a mini TV in its own right, an e-reader, a pocket calculator, a map, a GPS locator, an e-mail terminal, a photo editor, an address/ contact directory, a memo pad, a bar code reader, a "walkman", a radio, .... the list goes on and on. Therefore IMO there is a substantial and significant difference between a (mere) "cell phone" and a "smart phone" (incl iPhones).
.... Are you suggesting that a Federal Agency is not doing something solely to protect the American public?
Last edited by Pulaski; Feb 20th 2014 at 6:06 pm.
Feb 20th 2014, 9:15 pm
#23
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: SW Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,960
Feb 25th 2014, 3:13 pm
#24
The worse half of Weeze
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Back in TX
Posts: 3,231
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
So how long before someone is asked to hand over the password to their e-mail/Facebook/twitter account, or show them it real time? Or that free wifi is provided, with a little something special courtesy of the NSA? Or am I just cynical?
Feb 26th 2014, 8:45 pm
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Tennessee, USA
Posts: 168
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
The questions asked in the line outside the US embassy in London yesterday seemed to be about buttons/keys Electronic devices with buttons (laptops and mobiles etc.) still banned but iPads, e-Readers, smartphones and generally anything with no buttons were allowed.
Electronic devices with buttons (laptops and mobiles etc.) still banned but iPads, e-Readers, smartphones and generally anything with no buttons were allowed.
Feb 26th 2014, 9:34 pm
#28
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
Feb 26th 2014, 11:14 pm
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2013
Location: SW Ontario, Canada
Posts: 6,960
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
I have an iPhone, and will probably never enter an American embassy, so i'm good either way!
Feb 27th 2014, 11:25 pm
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 11
Re: Electronic Items Now Allowed in London (Feb 10 2014)
Was all depressed having to leave my mobile at home for final interview (won't leave it with 3rd party I don't know such as the chemist) as I wanted to take some pics in London between end of interview and train back North.
Happy I can have tunes on the train down and keep I touch with wifey back in the US during the day, hopefully with good news!!
Happy I can have tunes on the train down and keep I touch with wifey back in the US during the day, hopefully with good news!!