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FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

bloomberg.com

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Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#13
post #6

How the heck would a TSA agent know the difference

They'll just scan the serial number when it passes through the x-ray machine, then use some OCR script to process the image and upload it to https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall /s

More likely they'd require Apple to dump that dataset out to them and use it locally, but otherwise yeah.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#15
post #6

How the heck would a TSA agent know the difference

They'll just scan the serial number when it passes through the x-ray machine, then use some OCR script to process the image and upload it to https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall /s

Is model/serial number scanning something that the existing machines do? I've never heard of the TSA having that capability.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#16
post #8

In addition to the 432,000 Macbook Pros sold in the US from mid-2015 to 2017 being outright banned from flying, there will be all the other Mackbook Pros sold from about 2013 to mid-2015 that outwardly look just like the banned ones. I suppose all those lookalikes will be pulled out and have their serial numbers checked, which is in microscopic print on the back, which will definitely slow down Pre-check when you wou…

I will be flying out tomorrow with my 2013 15" MBP, so this was the exact thought that crossed my mind when I saw the article.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#17
post #8

In addition to the 432,000 Macbook Pros sold in the US from mid-2015 to 2017 being outright banned from flying, there will be all the other Mackbook Pros sold from about 2013 to mid-2015 that outwardly look just like the banned ones. I suppose all those lookalikes will be pulled out and have their serial numbers checked, which is in microscopic print on the back, which will definitely slow down Pre-check when you wou…

> In addition to the 432,000 Macbook Pros sold in the US from mid-2015 to 2017 being outright banned from flying, there will be all the other Mackbook Pros sold from about 2013 to mid-2015 that outwardly look just like the banned ones.

Am I missing something? Weren't the 2016 models the ones that changed to USB-C, q flatter keyboard, etc.? Those don't look identical to the 2015 and earlier models

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#18
post #6

How the heck would a TSA agent know the difference

They'll just scan the serial number when it passes through the x-ray machine, then use some OCR script to process the image and upload it to https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall /s

Okay, but does Apple change the serial number when you send it in to get it fixed? How are they supposed to know that I already sent mine in and got a replacement battery from Apple? Guess I have to carry proof around with me?

(To be clear I’m not arguing with the poster I’m directly responding to. Just trying to think through this process like the OP mentioned.)

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#19

The article doesn't explain how they intend to enforce this ban. A recalled MacBook looks identical to the non-recalled ones, so this seems like a pointless rule.

It will probably be quite effective. Travelers will see these articles, and airlines will probably send out reminders to people not to bring these machines on the plane. Most people with them will get them fixed or leave them at home, and the risk is greatly diminished.

It's not a bomb where any failure to keep it off the planes is catastrophic. They can afford to have some people defying the ban.

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