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FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

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Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#171

Post by chrischen »

Zanni wrote: post #87
AlexDragusin wrote: post #71

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…

Techverse also wants it. There's just a loud minority that want a desktop they can fit into a backpack.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#172

Post by justincormack »

chrischen wrote: post #169
1e-9 wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Along with the hassle of opening the laptop, powering it on, and clicking About This Mac; you would have the security issue of entering your password while surrounded by other people and cameras. None of the verification options seem very appealing.

Touchbar fingerprint reader to the rescue!

These models don’t have those.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#173

Post by ribosometronome »

bumblebeard wrote: post #123
jdavis703 wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I left a water bottle in my bag at SJC once. The TSA agent pulled me aside after I went through the scanner and pointed to it on the X-Ray to ask me what it was. I said something like "oh, oops, looks like I forgot my water bottle in there" and she asked me to take it out of the bag. She took a quick look at it and then just let me on the plane without making me dump it out or even opening the bottle. I guess that me…

Meanwhile, up at SFO, I had a few sips in a fancy water bottle. They wouldn't let me drink or dump the water. They escorted me, past like three bathrooms/water fountains, back to the other where I drank it while back in line.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#174

Post by inferiorhuman »

dawnerd wrote: post #145
hdfbdtbcdg wrote: post #141

A lot of people are commenting how hard this will be to enforce/easy to avoid. That's not the right way to look at it. If someone now takes one of these laptops onto a flight and it burns mid-flight that person is now criminally liable. At the very least they will have to pay for the emergency landing etc..

Thats a bit unfair though. Do you think most people will know if their laptop if affected? This is the first I've heard of it and honestly can't remember what year my MBP is.

Do you think most people will know if their laptop if affected?

Yes. Apple sent out notifications to owners of recalled devices. That's why you should register your hardware (trivial in the case of a Mac notebook). In my case I plugged my serial number into the recall site when it was first announced (whilst not logged in to my Apple account) and was told my notebook (a refurb 2015 MBP) wasn't eligible. A couple weeks ago I got an email dictating otherwise.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#175

Post by jobigoud »

kccqzy wrote: post #108
slang800 wrote: post #11

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?

This reminds me of forbidden substances in the context of sports doping. Some substances are supposed to be illegal but can't be detected yet. I think they are only put on the list once there is an effective test for it.

I guess an issue with a honor based system is although nobody can prove you are guilty, you also can't prove you are innocent if someone wrongly accuses you.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#176

Post by gmueckl »

Iolaum wrote: post #160
jandrese wrote: post #127

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, someone would have to leave a Raspberry Pi zero sized chunk of explosive out to put up a boot screen and something close enough to a windows boot logo to pass a cursory visual inspection. In reality, the X-Ray should already make it pretty clear if there is something weird about the laptop's build. Turning on the machine is entirely unnecessary. Also, I have not been asked to turn on a laptop in many years, so…

The metal casing of many laptops reflects the xrays, hence you can't see anything inside them.

X-Rays can pass through thick chunks of metal several times the thickness of a laptop. You just need a powerful enough source. I doubt however that such a source can be used safely in an enclosure as open as the securiry check machines.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#177

Post by eridius »

krn wrote: post #150
Zanni wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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, all those issues could be addressed by making Apple laptops thicker and heavier Dell XPS 13 is both, thinner and lighter than Macbook Air, yet its battery replacement process is rated as "very easy"[1] by ifixit. The same applies to Dell XPS 15 vs Macbook Pro. [1] https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Dell+XPS+13+Battery+Replacement...

Looks like the Dell XPS 13 uses a single rectangular battery, though it still requires unscrewing the whole case, disconnecting a battery cable, and then unscrewing the battery, so it's not something you can do on the fly.

The 2018 MacBook Air battery isn't quite so neat and rectangular: https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/HvCgVPqVQtVI5K5X.h...

And you can see here how it fits into all of the available space in the computer: https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/QUm4KjJyARQaSorr.h...

Switching this computer to using a simple battery like the Dell XPS 13 is using means sacrificing a significant amount of battery capacity.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#178

Post by Kuinox »

cm2187 wrote: post #168
js2 wrote: post #52

Multiple folks in this thread have asked how the TSA is going to deal with this. The answer is: it won't. These laptops were banned as a "dangerous good" by the FAA. This is separate from the TSA's list of items banned as a security threat. > The Transportation Security Administration also has rules on "prohibited items" that pose a security threat. Though they sometimes overlap, the TSA security rules are separate f…

To those who wonder why you can’t board with a thermometer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IrdYueB9pY4

In a recent thermometer there is no mercury anymore. By recent i mean in the last few decades.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#179

Post by kingosticks »

mruts wrote: post #75
mason55 wrote: 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.

So they left it in the case? You'd have thought they'd at least dispose of it in the same way they do with bottles of water, even if they don't kick-up a fuss over it.

Re: FAA Bans Recalled Apple Laptops from Flights

#180

Post by tinus_hn »

krustyburger wrote: post #164
js2 wrote: post #52

Multiple folks in this thread have asked how the TSA is going to deal with this. The answer is: it won't. These laptops were banned as a "dangerous good" by the FAA. This is separate from the TSA's list of items banned as a security threat. > The Transportation Security Administration also has rules on "prohibited items" that pose a security threat. Though they sometimes overlap, the TSA security rules are separate f…

Given that the TSA has something like a 5% success rate (according to their own internal measures) at identifying things they’re actively screening, I think the best bet in any event would have been to just try to take the laptop through.

They might come across the model as they are snooping around your personal data ‘for security’. This may actually be used as a new excuse to force you to log in!
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