British Airways update as of 8/13
 

From the BA website:

With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey from airports in the UK or the United States of America (excluding Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando and Tampa) and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.

All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports.

Note:
Passengers are advised that ALL electrical or battery powered items including laptops, mobile phones, portable music players, remote controls etc cannot be carried in the cabin and must be checked in as hold baggage.

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets:-

pocket size wallets and pocket size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags));
travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets);
prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
spectacles and sunglasses, without cases.
contact lens holders, without bottles of solution.
for those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags).
female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes).
tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
keys (but no electrical key fobs)

Every other item must be carried in customer’s hold luggage.

All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be x-ray screened.

Pushchairs and walking aids must be x-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.

Customers travelling to the UK from overseas airports may be subject to local airport restrictions and therefore customers should plan to travel with the very minimum of hand luggage.
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ok....so are they saying I can carry on my video camera, digital camera, etc?

"...ALL electrical or battery powered items..."

I would assume this would include digital cameras, but you may want to call BA. Let us know what they say!

Monica ((F))

Oops, I forgot to add that I'm in Dallas and will be leaving from DFW. So I'm trying to figure out if I will be able to carry anything on. I looked at and downloaded the latest TSA list of items that can/can't be carried on. A video-camera and digital camera were permitted, so I'm hoping that my flight from DFW will allow me to carry those on. :)

I wonder what the rules are for Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas and Tampa?

What if you took the cameras minus their batteries?

If you took the cameras minus the batteries, you wouldn't be allowed to carry it through.

BA are quite explicit on what can and can't be carried and I can't see why the "what if........" questions.

Because I was asking about Atlanta, Orlando, Dallas, and Tampa! They are excluded from the list so I'm asking what are their requirements..Got it now?

The DFW site really doesn't say anything that we don't already know. Their link to the TSA site doesn't provide the listing of what can/can't be taken aboard the plane as a carry on (though that listing can be found on the TSA site). I figure I'll give it a week to see how things go and then try to contact BA to get a clearer explanation for those leaving out of DFW on BA regarding video camera, digital camera, etc.

Yeah, a clearer explanation than "ALL electrical or battery powered items...cannot be carried in the cabin" is really needed.

The BA site did say that:

With immediate effect, the following arrangements apply to all passengers starting their journey from airports in the UK or the United States of America (excluding Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando and Tampa) and to those transferring between flights at a UK airport.

It does read that if you're in one of the cities listed that you can bring on an electrical device. Yes, I know that they've said "ALL eletrical....", but when they're singling out certain cities, then you have to ask why?

OK, fair enough, and apologies to Jody.

According to BA, you should follow the local guidelines if the airport doesn't fall into the category listed - and it seems these cities are amongst those that don't.

In reality, you could either contact the airports or just turn up and see what happens - or better, just play safe and follow the sweeping rules applied elsewhere.

Here in the UK, the authorities are saying that these stringent rules are here to stay but others are saying that the patience of passengers will soon run out (yes, yes I know that we'd rather be safe, but that is what the commentators are saying).
They say that a compromise system will soon be devised as the airlines are scared of losing the business customers who can't envisage life without a cellphone and a laptop. Conference videos are cheaper than first-class airline tickets.

can you tell me are you covered then if someone steals your camera out of your baggage? What about Jewelery?

Kind of confused- again! Sorry for my frequent posts/questions needing clarification!

Ok- that was BA- has anything changed for other airlines as best you know?

Mabey I need more coffee! Thanks...

Just remember Heathrow is also known as Thiefrow.

Don't know about the US, but BAA (British Airport Authorities) are posting an almost identical message for travellers where any part of the journey involves the UK.

As for the USA, haven't Homeland Security done the same?

As for theft, that would be down to your insurance.

Flycatcher -

The same thing that happens now - your insurance has to cover it. (Hopefully you have either travel insurance and/or homeowners coverage.)

Last night I picked up people who had just flown in from Heathrow on British Airways. They were not even allowed to bring on board a plastic comb or a pen or cigarettes. SO there needn't be any confusion or questions.. If an item isn't on the approved list, you can't take it.Period!

So my friends packed everything, and Murphy's Law kicked in...their luggage did not arrive. Of all times... when they had to pack everything into their checked luggage. So they arrived with just their clear plastic bag with their allowed items.

They are hoping their luggage arrives soon. They want to use their cell phones.

But everyone was in good spirits, knowing that the main thing was that they'd arrived safely.