(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)
Frequent flyers have expressed their frustration of having to go hours without their laptops and iPads while reacting to Khaleej Times on the recent US ban on carrying larger mobile devices inside the flights.
The US has introduced a new ban on devices bigger than the size of a smart phone inside airplane cabins for flights from the UAE to the US. The ban applies to 10 countries in the Middle East and African region, including the UAE, Turkey and Qatar.
The UK also introduced a similar ban shortly after but the UAE was not included in its list.
Passengers flying to the US via Dubai say they are shocked to see UAE on the list and the ban is unnecessary as the UAE has strong security system.
One frustrated flyer from Florida, Aimee Weaver, president of AirStair Solutions LLC, said: "I thought Dubai wouldn't be on the list for sure. I was shocked it happened. I don't know what I'll do for those many hours. The thought really stresses me - staying disconnected.
"Reading a book seems like the logical solution but as a business owner, it gives me intense anxiety to be disconnected for the return trip. The last time my return trip was more than 14.30 hours.
"I'm honestly waiting a few weeks before booking my trip, to see what airlines and countries this law applies to, and will consider connecting routes through Paris or Amsterdam. I would absolutely rather make a stop than be without my laptop. I've never gone 13 hours without sending emails."
One disgruntled flyer from the UK, who has a stopover in Dubai en route the US, said he would be using his smart phone to send important emails, however, still won't be able to get much work done without a laptop.
Kevin Bell, the CEO of Petersen Stainless Rigging Ltd, said: "The worst part of this entire issue is that they have done in almost total secrecy. There will be hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting travellers caught out by this. And it isn't consistent between countries - If I hadn't happened to pick up on the American ban then potentially I would have had to leave my laptop in Dubai airport," said Bell, who was shocked to see the ban on the UAE.
"It is crazy. To be honest, I trust Dubai airport security more than the UK. They will have better intelligence and more experience. It's funny because this time last year I was in the US with some American customers. I was telling them about my upcoming trips, including to Doha. They asked was I not scared to travel to the Middle East? And that's actually the one time I was worried for my safety - being in the US," he added.
One American expat in Dubai, Nadia Fties, said: "I think it's a really foolish idea. Passengers can easily use their smart phones to do what they want to do. That's an electronic device too."
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