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FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

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Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#81
post #34
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Even if it gets fixed, how would TSA know that? If TSA doesn't check at all, then the "solution" is relying on people following a rule that has no enforcement. How many people are going to actually read these articles to know which models are affected? How many people are going to remember the articles when it's time for them to go to the airport? How many people are simply going to ignore the rule because their MBP…

If the FAA bans an item, it's up to the airline, not TSA, to ensure that such items are not in either carry-on or checked luggage.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#82
post #38
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…

"suppose all those lookalikes will be pulled out and have their serial numbers checked" I can almost guarantee the TSA will invest zero dollars or time into deciding which MacBooks are okay. This is Apple's problem to solve. Zero time, money or attention from the TSA or the airlines will be invested. If the FAA bans any Macbooks, all "Apple looking thingies" will be effectively banned. Source: 3 decades of govt and a…

Might a passenger, properly warned, be liable if he brings a banned laptop on the plane anyway and it catches on fire?

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#84
post #53
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…

Does the serial number change if the battery has been serviced? Or are these devices banned from flying forever.

Imagine the airlines reading each serial number and phoning Apple to ask if it has already been serviced for the battery-related recall. Ouch.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#85
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"suppose all those lookalikes will be pulled out and have their serial numbers checked" I can almost guarantee the TSA will invest zero dollars or time into deciding which MacBooks are okay. This is Apple's problem to solve. Zero time, money or attention from the TSA or the airlines will be invested. If the FAA bans any Macbooks, all "Apple looking thingies" will be effectively banned. Source: 3 decades of govt and a…

Might a passenger, properly warned, be liable if he brings a banned laptop on the plane anyway and it catches on fire?

I don't think OP was implying that. There are Macbooks that look identical in appearance to the affected devices but are perfectly fine.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#86
post #75
post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m in the same boat. And also in the middle of a business trip with my laptop. Hopefully I don’t have any problems on the way home because I have no idea what I will do.

No one actually cares. Weed is also banned on planes, TSA agents have found some of mine on my carry on a couple times, and no one bats an eye.

!

Okay, then.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#87

I am wondering how long this non-removable battery fiasco is gonna last, instead of an expensive recall it would been a simple battery recall and swap that doesn't involve leaving the laptop in service for any amount of time and doable on short notice so the travelers would not be inconvenienced. On top of that, when non-removable batteries fail, they usually take down the whole device with them beyond repair, while…

Indefinitely, because most people do not consider it a "fiasco." Have you seen what the batteries look like for, say, the new 13" Macbook Pro or the 12" Macbook? They're not bricks you could just feed into a slot. They're multi-part systems that distribute the battery through the gaps in the case. Fixing them in place means they don't need extra casing support, don't need to be near a specific edge and are flexible enough to maximize space usage inside the case.

Yes, all those issues could be addressed by making Apple laptops thicker and heavier, and there's a large contingent on HN that wants exactly that. But ... there's an even larger contingent outside the techi-verse that loves thin and light laptops.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#88
post #87

I am wondering how long this non-removable battery fiasco is gonna last, instead of an expensive recall it would been a simple battery recall and swap that doesn't involve leaving the laptop in service for any amount of time and doable on short notice so the travelers would not be inconvenienced. On top of that, when non-removable batteries fail, they usually take down the whole device with them beyond repair, while…

Indefinitely, because most people do not consider it a "fiasco." Have you seen what the batteries look like for, say, the new 13" Macbook Pro or the 12" Macbook? They're not bricks you could just feed into a slot. They're multi-part systems that distribute the battery through the gaps in the case. Fixing them in place means they don't need extra casing support, don't need to be near a specific edge and are flexible e…

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Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#89
post #78
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"suppose all those lookalikes will be pulled out and have their serial numbers checked" I can almost guarantee the TSA will invest zero dollars or time into deciding which MacBooks are okay. This is Apple's problem to solve. Zero time, money or attention from the TSA or the airlines will be invested. If the FAA bans any Macbooks, all "Apple looking thingies" will be effectively banned. Source: 3 decades of govt and a…

If the FAA bans an item, it's up to the airline, not TSA, to ensure that such items are not in either carry-on or checked luggage.

It's not that clear. What the FAA bans does influence the TSA list of what they check for. Also, I did specifically mention airlines.

Or do you really think this list (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/...) wasn't influenced by the FAA? Note quotes like "For more information, see FAA regulation: 49 CFR 175.10(a)(4)."

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#90
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"suppose all those lookalikes will be pulled out and have their serial numbers checked" I can almost guarantee the TSA will invest zero dollars or time into deciding which MacBooks are okay. This is Apple's problem to solve. Zero time, money or attention from the TSA or the airlines will be invested. If the FAA bans any Macbooks, all "Apple looking thingies" will be effectively banned. Source: 3 decades of govt and a…

Might a passenger, properly warned, be liable if he brings a banned laptop on the plane anyway and it catches on fire?

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