Starting today, Dec. 21, Doha’s Hamad International Airport (HIA) will see increased security measures for those traveling with phones, laptops and tablet computers.
All passengers carrying items that are battery-operated or electrical may be asked turn the items on at security.
Those unable to turn their devices on may have their possessions removed from them as the items would not be allowed onboard aircraft, HIA officials have confirmed to Doha News.
Airport authorities have not explained the reason for the increased security, nor made any public announcement regarding the change.
However, travel agencies and airlines have been warning passengers about the security procedure by posting fliers on social media and e-mailing their customer bases.
The security measure is one found in many airports internationally.
Here, some passengers said they have already been asked to turn on their devices, but that their devices were not confiscated by officials.
@E_Windrum yes I was asked to switch on my laptop. Specifically because I had no battery. but I thought it wad a British airways thing
— Latifa Abdulla (@Latifa_Mutaywea) December 21, 2014
https://twitter.com/NeilMoors1/status/546562956751036417
US measures
At HIA, stricter security measures are usually taken when passengers fly directly to the US.
In July, scrutiny was increased further for US-bound passengers in Doha after American authorities asked international airports to up vigilance following a possible threat.
At the time, measures included more checks of passengers’ personal property and clothing.
However, HIA officials said today that the new security procedures at the airport are being applied as a general rule for all travelers, irrespective of their destinations.
Thoughts?
For advice on surviving the holiday rush this season, see our tips here.
Every time I see that bear I cringe.
Why? I see it as a true indication of the mental age of the locals…..
true that.
Not as “awesome” or mature as your hazing rituals right? Maybe removing that carrot from your backside will help you not be so anally retentive.
What?
Hardy har har! Moron!
Nothing pleases you guys, You need to interpret art and look at it in many different ways to understand it, Not mock it. :/
This guy is an unemployable bum out of Qatar, you shouldn’t aim to please him.
Art? LOL Do you even know the story behind it? Didn’t think so.
Just like beauty, Art is in the eye of the beholder, It’s how you interpret it and how you look at it is what makes it, To answer your question, The meaning behind the bear is “Brightly celebrates the object that defines a young child” That’s from the artist himself, Not representing the mental age of of Qatari locals or some degrading stuff you guys spout.
NO the story of why its HERE. Yeah and some artist splashes a few colors of paint on a white canvas, calls it art and waxes on philosophically on how it represents mans struggle against society and people go oooh, aaaaah and the artist goes snicker snicker cashing the check.
The story of why the bear is presented in the airport? Pretty simple, It’s a cool piece of art to look at as you do your commute to the plane, They paid a lot for it? Sure, It’s their money and they can decide what to do with it, It’s not your call to be insulting Qatar’s locals and call them Mental. And clearly you do not respect art, So i’m not even gonna start with whats wrong with that.
LOL you have no clue.
Great response, Now enough wasting my time with trash like you lol.
عزيزي .. هذا انسان واطي و منحط لا يشكر النعمه ولا يقدر الجهود المبذوله ..لا تضيع وقتك معه
That happens everywhere some ppl buy art because it is pretty, others because the artist is famous, others because it is a discussion piece or controversial or as an investment. I hate to break it to you, the person or institution that buys the work gets to decide if it is art to them. The Louvre pyramid was not well received by all.
But i love the design of The Louvre pyramid!
Me too, but it was a controversial.
Oh yeah, Because the 666 thing?
Because some think the modern structure clashes with the traditional Louvre museum building.
“Brightly celebrates the object that defines a young child”
What does that even mean?
Means if I tell you in ecoteric speak and make you believe it, you’ll buy it.
I’m sorry but some of the “art” that Qatar invests in is just weird at times. Pushes the envelope for sure but it comes off as just “pushing the envelope” with no real understanding and no real harmony.
Gonna love driving down Dukhan Rd and my art show is the uterus of a woman. With all the WC drama unfolding what do they do? Erect a statue in honor of a man who did one of the most DIShonorable things in WC history. And the Bear, while “Brightly celebrating the object that defines a young child”, has no relevance here in Qatar. Qataris are so paranoid of losing their identity and what do they do? They put the symbol of a western child, not a Qatari, not even an Arab, as the main “draw” of the airport.
Really don’t mean to bash, just what I see.
A teddy bear is a symbol for all children, Not just western,
And to the above, Refer to my first comment :^)
Yes the children of the bedouin ancestry were all carrying around teddy bears.
They probably weren’t carrying teddy bears, But i’m not speaking about ancestry, I’m talking about present day, Why do you always love to get carried away.
Then there’s nothing to worry about. Qatar can just adopt Asian, European and American societies as their own. Nothing in the country needs to express their ancestry. My fault.
You are so right! Societies never borrowed, adopted or celebrated aspects from other cultures! You saved me from having pizza tonight and turning into an Italian! Thank you!!
I think it’s safe to say, That whoever ‘desertCard’ is, He needs help and therapy for his illogical way of thinking and we should all just stop feeding him anymore, He’s beyond reach at this point haha.
Not sure where you’re from but if not from HERE you’re probably not so paranoid about losing your national/ancestral identity. And I understand that paranoid I guess. My point was that the crown jewel of projects so far here should reflect that identity. Not something borrowed. An Arabian Horse would have been perfect. but please not a stuffed, evil looking creature.
Yes i wish there are more cultural elements visible throughout Qatar especially through preservation rather than re-creation. However, i don’t agree with your view that everything has to be about culture. Show me one culture that has not changed throughout its existence in history. Culture goes hand and hand with history and evolves as a society changes its norms due to the current circumstances.
I’m not saying everything just something. Most everything is shiny new buildings and in my opinion, for what it is worth, is that the focal point of the airport, where millions of people transit thru each year, is a prime location to highlight something Qatari or Gulf Arab, not a teddy bear. Again it’s my opinion that’s all.
There you go, Getting carried away with off topic things, A simple true statement like Todays qatari children do have teddybears, Gets twisted into not wanting to express our ancestry, You have deep psychological problems ya 3am
perfect example of Arab non-GCC hatred. Bravo ,, it’s obvious for everyone now.
And your comment displays your mental age.
I don’t care much for the bear, but your comment reveals more about your mental maturity than anything else.I bet you find it amusing when you see Ancient Greek sculptures too because their “pee pee” is on display for all to see, so amusing that you can’t resist the urge to put your mouth on the genital region and take pictures for your mates to appreciate your “hilarious” photos of you and the “wog” peepee man.
LOL and this response is YOUR mental maturity? You too funny.
Go lock up some journalists ya ibn el sharmouta
meshee ya walid el-khinzir
Ahlik el khanazeer yal maskhara. Roo7 irj3 biladik. Clown.
oink
Yes, the noise you guys make when you molest your women for demanding their rights.
haha you’re too funny man, That’s exactly how i see him as well -_- shame.
Sad thing is it is true. You see clowns like him on social media networks posting dumb photos of them simulating sexual acts with statues among other things. That’s their idea of being funny.
why do Australians harvest so much hate? dude leave already..
Inappropriate. Your comment is very illustrative about your mental health…
Every time I see that bear I feel like napping.
The purpose of that bear was to evoke a reaction. Mission: accomplished.
Like it, loathe it, or be perplexed by it… everyone is talking about it.
A $10 million Monet oil painting on a wall in that airport would barely get a second glance.
I have different ideas of what i consider art and what that money could have been spent on, but you know what, everytime i pass that thing there are several ppl taking pictures of it and with it. It is attention grabbing and has become iconic for the airport, so that i can appreciate.
The bear has nothing to do with this story, people!
admit it … you took a pic of your kid with it.. didn’t you.. come one… admit it… your kid loved it.. and your cringed at the fact that your kid loved something in doha… made you sick inside… cause your just a very angry little man… who wants to be anywhere buy here …. but nothing beats the tax free pay check you get… yal maseri
No my kid thinks it’s weird. Like makes no sense, has no relevance to Qatar and is really ugly to boot.
I pay my taxes.
It’s Masri not Maseri.
Omg! you’re masri LOL and i’m here hours trying to have a rational argument with you.. 7mdla wl shkr.
I gave you the clue dufus.
edeelo wa 3abeelo
edeeloo bil gazma 3ala wisho LOL .. ma9ri w ytklm
5ala yakel zaga gbl ma iysafroona ma9r 3shan yt5anath mnak
Malak enta yalaa ,, ebn el fool wil 6a3mya bytklm 3n asyado.
“increased security measures for those traveling with phones, laptops and tablet computers.”
Breaking News: EVERYONE travels with a phone, which means a slower scanning process and endless lines… Awesome news for people worried about holidays-induced congestion at the airport.
yay for more security.
only doing what the rest of the world has been doing for over 6 months !
It makes a refreshing change from the usual knee-jerk response other gov departments favour.
I was randomly selected for screening at the Dubai airport on the 19th and had to turn on my phone but not my laptop or Kindle.
It was fine because nowadays, gadgets are used as bomb explosives..
it is for our own safety so we must follow the rules 🙂
I know it is off topic but I have to say it. Why is this post turning into a fight between some expats and locals? Guys I think it is absolutely fine to criticize Qatar but some of the comments here are quite insulting and this is not fair. Let’s not forget, with all the negative things, Qatar is a beautiful place and we are earning a decent salary from it. So let’s just keep our criticism polite 🙂
Respect garners respect. 2 way street as always.
شكلك متربي فالشارع واضح انك من ال5ملايين مصري ابن حرام .. لو خيروني بين جزمتي و بينك اختار جزمتي يا واطي
It’s a one way street, No one wants to respect you.
the reporter did not even bother to ask somehow the airport authorities to verify?