Passengers from Qatar disgruntled with new electronics bans on USA-bound flights

The US government yesterday unexpectedly put a ban on laptops, iPads and other electronic items ‘larger than a cellphone’ on flights from 10 airports in the Middle East and Africa.

The move, which has thrown travel plans of thousands of people into disarray, is receiving generally mixed response from the public, according to Qatar Tribune.

While some residents flayed the move, others tended to think it was a move in the right direction to ensure the safety of passengers.

A resident, who frequently fly to the US, lamented about the devices’ safety while passing through the terminal as luggage.

“Now, US-bound passengers will have to check in all electronic devices bigger than a smartphone in the luggage. But items like laptops and iPads are quite fragile. Unless handled properly, these items will get damaged quite easily. It won’t be safe to put them in the luggage," he told Qatar Tribune.

Qatar Living user Garij Kragsche was frustrated and called for people to move to Canada, instead of USA.

“This is another reason to stay away from Trump's America. One week, we aren’t allowed to put batteries in checked baggage. The next week, we’re forced to put the whole device, batteries included, into the hold. Why bother? Go to Canada instead. They’ve real maple syrup,” he wrote down, in quite a sarcastic tone.

However, some people could not believe what they were hearing and wondered why the Hamad International Airport (HIA), with so much security around, was among the list of affected airports.

“I really don't understand the ban on view of high security screening happening in Qatar. HIA is a five-star airport with edge cutting security technology!,” said Qatar Living user Mo Sheik Fareed.

Still others, like Qatar Living user Mohammad Babar Khalil, tried to look at things more positively.

“Guys, no harm in cooperating for safety. Enjoy the flight and have an opportunity to stay away from these devices for few hours,” he wrote down on Facebook.

Irfan Sheikh, another Qatar Living user, wanted to give the US government a taste of their own medicine.

“Qatar Airways, please ban the Americans too carrying the electronics and let them enjoy the trumping trump too,” wrote the exasperated user.

Have your travel plans been disrupted by the ban? Please let us know in the comments section.