If it's truly meant as a security measure (as opposed to protectionist retribution against certain airlines, as some suggested the original targeted ban was) then this actually makes sense. Flying through Doha to JFK earlier this month I can say that Qatar Airways made every effort to make this as painless as possible, especially with a nice gate-check service with airline agents carefully boxing banned electronics. I wouldn't expect this level of service from US airlines.

If they're allowing you cellphones or other personal electronics on board then this is all bullshit. If they're not, it's still suspect, but they may actually believe their own security theater.

Of course it's bullshit, but at least if they extend the ban to all flights it's consistent bullshit, and a pretty good indicator that they do believe it. Why else would they bother?

To prevent people from being too scared to fly. If everyone stopped flying, it would hurt the economy.

As this explanation makes absolutely no sense, I'll assume maybe you're trying to be funny?
Suggesting a widespread ban like this because 'terrorists are obsessed with the idea of attacking a US plane' is what gets people scared. And if anything banning laptops, tablets, e-readers, etc will make people less inclined to fly.

So why are you entertaining the premise?

They would bother without belief because you can't build a budget for a preventative organization without justifying your own existence.

The premise I'm 'entertaining' is that it's probably based on some perceived security threat. Obviously I have no idea whether the perceived threat is based on any kind of reality (or actual belief), what I'm calling bullshit on is the ridiculous, draconian countermeasures that don't have a basis in reality.

Heinous fuckery most foul. At least let me have my goddam Kindle.

"So they're not even letting us read now?"
- the guy in front of me at the electronics check-in desk in Doha, on being informed that he'd have to check his Kindle.

Is it just laptops or can I still bring my desktop PC?

LCD or CRT monitor?

This smells funny to me.

On one hand, airlines like a passive customer with a pacifier. Movies on demand for each passenger furnished by each passenger satisfies this need. Every seat now has a screen. Economy plus offers a range of movies. Others you have to pay for, especially if you're in basic economy, now being peddled with no overhead compartment space.

Airlines are pressured to adhere to on time schedules because are judged by on time departures and arrivals. Flight attendants don't get paid until the plane takes off. Getting people into their seats asap is priority. De-boarding quickly is also a priority.

The TSA can't hire enough qualified people, and is the weakest link. Reduce bags and their contents and you reduce the probability of something bad being brought on board.

This just highlights the inadequacy of the TSA to protect passengers.
On the other hand, a few smart phones taped together = same size as a tablet.

Size matters. I've always thought the removable DVD bay on my laptops would be a perfect place for a well crafted chunk of high explosive.

... And yes, I still use and am issued large workstation class laptops with those removable bays as I need to stuff another drive in there.

Then all it says is that the TSA is woefully inadequate to monitor or secure anything. Technology is useless, and the answer is to alter western society to appease extremists hellbent on violence. Shut them out, because we just don't know how to filter and provide security for our citizens.

The extremist terrorists have won. Do you agree with that?

No... The U.S. Gov't is winning... We are losing our privacy, selectively losing our rights based on where we are at or where we are going and how...

Gov't wants that...Not the terrorists. Terrorists are just assholes.

I guess it's worth it to keep us safe, I mean I've already given up most of my civil liberties, right?