take phones and tablets out of purses to place them in a bin to pass through an x-ray machine. passengers from overseas with tickets to the direct flights to the united states need to prove their devices have not been corrupted by creative terrorists. >> they want to see your phone or laptop power up. that tells them it is actual working electronic device, not something that looks like a laptop which is really filled with plastic explosive. >> reporter: the tsa explains quote, during the security examination, officers may ask owners power up some devices including cell phones. powerless devices will not be permitted on board the aircraft. here is why this is suddenly a concern. there are unhas, maybe even thousands of people with american or european passports who left home to fight alongside extremists in syria. people carrying those passports may not be be subjected to the same kind of scrutiny as other suspicious travelers and security officials are worried that before coming back home, those travelers with western