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FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

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Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#101

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…

Not sure making your mobile product bigger and heavier, just to cover the rare case that your batteries blow up, represents good engineering priorities.

Instead of putting in the effort to engineer removable batteries, maybe Apple could instead put in the effort to engineer batteries that don’t blow up.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#102
post #9

The TSA will clearly have issues managing this. All MacBooks look the same to them. They can't currently manage basic stuff like "baby formula might need different rules than our 3oz standard for liquids." Expect pressure on Apple to make it a non-issue.

I actually took an 10 inch screwdriver on to a flight accidently. When I was unpacking at the hotel I was like "how the F did this get past the security check?" Another time I was running late for my flight and forgot to empty my 16oz water bottle. After my bag went through the scanner I realized my mistake and told the TSA agent about it. He uncapped the bottle, swirrled the water around, sniffed it, and then handed…

For real. I saw a woman go through security at seatac with a frozen 1.5L bottle. They seem very willing to let the system be gamed.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#103
post #46
post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They even said that laptops with replaced batteries are fine...how on earth are they going to enforce that? What's stopping me from saying "Oh yeah, I got the battery serviced last month"?

Nothing. Except your desire not to commit a crime of taking banned items on a plane.

I can't imagine this would be effective. I highly doubt most owners of the affected Macbooks are even aware of the the FAA ban

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#104
post #77
post #56

yeah, TSA isn't going to do one iota of enforcement

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.

The TSA currently enforces other FAA bans, like limits on alcohol.

And why have you posted this comment 6 times?

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#105
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

No, it probably wouldn't work anyways as there's no guarantee the ink will even appear or be legible superimposed over the underlying components if it does.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#107
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…

Yes I've seen them and it's driven by the misguided quest for the thinnest, form over function devices while refusing to accept that battery technology is not yet up to the task. Particularly when you consider the volatile Lithium based tech which is sensitive to heat, let's put them in enclosed cases where lots of heat is generated, make them non removable, what could go wrong.

Here I just put something rough together to demonstrate that it can be done even with the thin devices if the motivations were in the right place: https://www.ypson.com/hn/battery-thin-device.png

Took me a few minutes, surely this can be done given the budgets and great engineers available in the employ of the major companies.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#108

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.

Why does a rule have to rely on enforcement? Why can't we trust people and have an honor-based system?

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

More info: https://www.aclu.org/other/constitution-100-mile-border-zone

Informative, though I don't think that relates to the TSA.

true, it was more in reference to constitution-free zones.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#110
post #104
post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

The TSA currently enforces other FAA bans, like limits on alcohol. And why have you posted this comment 6 times?

Do you have a source for this?
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