A false alarm at Seattle-Tacoma airport?

Over the weekend the blogosphere was buzzing about a supposed new TSA screening procedure requiring all large electronic items, such as DVD players and video cameras, to be removed from their carry-ons at security checkpoints. By Sunday morning, travelers were telling me that flight attendants weren’t letting them use their DVD players in flight.

So what’s up with this new security requirement?

According to the Port of Seattle’s Web site, there is indeed such a broad requirement for checked bags being screened at Sea-Tac.

The security notification on the airport’s home page refers back to the TSA site. But the TSA hasn’t issued any new sweeping directive about dangerous electronics. Instead, it will only screen full-size video game consoles, such as Playstation, X-box, or Nintendo, and DVD players. Video cameras and other large electronics don’t have to be removed.

Was it a false alarm?

It’s too early to say. But it isn’t too early to tell you what the correct response is to this presumed new threat. If you can afford to leave your large electronics at home, it might expedite your trip through security. But for the rest of us, there’s really nothing we can do.

For most leisure travelers, leaving DVD players and iPods at home would be completely impractical. My kids would not tolerate a trip without their fix of Diego and Blue’s Clues.

So the best advice I can give, for now, is to take your electronics. Get ready to show them to the nice TSA screeners. And hope you don’t have to.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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