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Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

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141–150 of 629 posts

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#141
post #86

> This is specifically because of the transmission function. Lufthansa claims that the transmission function needs to be turned off during flight when in checked luggage, just as is required for cell phones, laptops, etc. Can anyone confirm/deny whether Airtags can interfere with aircraft navigation and communication systems?

[deleted]

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#142
post #86

> This is specifically because of the transmission function. Lufthansa claims that the transmission function needs to be turned off during flight when in checked luggage, just as is required for cell phones, laptops, etc. Can anyone confirm/deny whether Airtags can interfere with aircraft navigation and communication systems?

Given the frequencies used and the transmission power, I’d be absolutely blown away if it were able to cause any issues.

Aircraft rely on VHF and HF for comms and VHF and GPS for navigation. Additionally INS is used for navigation. International operations will also use SATCOM for communications.

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#143
Why don't they try something new and adopt the same technology. Clip a tag to the bags' handles at check-in and have readers on planes and throughout the airport. Lost luggage should be a thing of the past after that. You don't even need to rely on people physically scanning it with a barcode reader.

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#144

“ Lufthansa claims that the transmission function needs to be turned off during flight when in checked luggage, just as is required for cell phones, laptops, etc.” On my phone, turning on airplane mode seems to disable the cell and wifi radios (with wifi able to be toggled back on) but Bluetooth defaults to staying on.

It's a bullshit excuse and they know it. Lufthansa even has on-board WiFi on their planes. How are you going to use it if your laptop is supposed to have "transmission function" turned off?

They just don't want people to have proof they've lost their luggage.

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#145
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you stick it in the middle, it’s out of range. Unless you have some super powered scanner perhaps

If it is not connectable you won't locate your luggage either

NFC and Bluetooth are different technologies with different capabilities and ranges.

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#146
Not that they need any sympathy, but it seems unjust towards apple to be targeting a specific product from a specific company, rather than say a blanket ban (no device that will transmit Bluetooth). I wonder if this will boost the market for airtag competitors.

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#147
post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They cannot ban all of us.

yeah, they really can. Flights are a sellers market, they run near empty flights often. Plus less people are using AirTags than you think. Again, I think its a dumb rule. But don't think you are special and can just ignore it forever with no consequences.

> run near empty flights often

This is kind of amazing to hear. Roughly the last 10 flights I've been on have been completely full.

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#148

Note that the reason for airport mode is a courtesy to cell-phone carriers. It's not any air safety issue. Rather, 300-500 cell phones all trying to contact the next cell tower, multiple times per minute, would wreak havoc on cell service. https://www.inverse.com/article/51015-cell-phone-use-on-airp... At one point, when both cell phones and laptops were new, there was perhaps a risk to the airplane's electronics. Mo…

> Note that the reason for airport mode is a courtesy to cell-phone carriers. This doesn’t track. What about trains?

Line-of-sight. If you're 4-5 miles up with no blockers except the aircraft skin, you get to confuse a lot of towers at once.

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#149
post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it is not connectable you won't locate your luggage either

I did not expect anyone on HN suggesting sticking it deep into the luggage so it's out of range.

Out of NFC range. Not out of Bluetooth range.

Re: Lufthansa bans AirTags in checked luggage

#150
post #51

Apple must fight this and get the regulation clarified. Ridiculous.

Indeed and I expect there's no end of high-level Apple employees flying SFO -> FRA

This can be quickly resolved by moving all those employees to Air France
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