Planning on jet setting internationally anytime soon? Better charge your phone before you come home! TSA (Transportation Security Administration) announced this week that as an extra safety measure they have started regulating on “dead” cell phones that cannot be turned on at the airport security gate when flying into the US. TSA hasn’t released any information on why this new guideline has been set into motion, except that recently a possible security threat was suspected by the way of an electronic device. It sounds like the grumbling has already started amongst frequent flyers, naturally. People will miss flights if they have to leave their phones; visions of mass delays surely dancing in everyone’s head. While annoying, this is just another precaution to ensure a safe flight, and it seems like a small price to pay for peace of mind. I will gladly take off my shoes, charge my phone and bend over backwards if it means getting to my destination alive and well. It’s not like flying has been an enjoyable or relaxing experience for anyone in the last thirteen years.

Whether TSA will be providing chargers for dead electronics still remains to be seen. Most airports do have charging stations available, but usually they are located past the security checkpoint. And it seems like they are always in use. Waiting passengers will sit and hog up all the chargers until their phones and tablets are as juiced as they can get. I experienced this frustrating reality a few times at LAX and SFO when my phone died. During popular travel times it’s not uncommon to see throngs of people hovering over the charging stations, impatiently waiting their turn. Maybe this will finally set in motion the widespread use of wireless charging. Until all that gets sorted out, remember to keep your stuff charged up and alive before hitting the airport.