DHS/FAA/IMMIGRATION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Airlines are warnings U.S.-bound passengers they may be subject to interviews before boarding their flight as part of stepped up screening requirements Washington is demanding because of continued terrorism concerns.
United Continental Holdings Inc. notified customers on its website that the Department of Homeland Security now requires additional security measures for all international flights to the U.S. It said the measures may include enhanced screening with questioning of some or all travelers. Electronic devices larger than a standard smartphone also could be subject to checks, the airline said, as it advised passengers to arrive at airports at least three hours before the flight to allow for the additional screening.
Emirates Airline, the world’s biggest international carrier by traffic, is among the carriers to alert passengers that U.S. bound flights would be subject to closer checks starting Thursday [10-26-17]. ‘The new directive requires passenger pre-screening interviews at the check-in counter for originating passengers and at the boarding gate for transfer and transit passengers,’ the Dubai-based airline said. The airline also urged passengers to plan extra time for the measures.
DHS in June first said it would rollout tighter security checks on inbound international flights amid concerns terrorists were continuing to try to bring down commercial airliners. The security measures affect around 325,000 passengers a day at 280 foreign airports with direct flights to the U.S.”
-Robert Wall and Susan Carey, “Airlines Warn U.S.-Bound Passengers About Additional Screening,” The Wall Street Journal online, Oct. 25, 2017 12:23pm