How exactly are they checking the models at the airports?
Exactly, no disrespect intended they are hard-working folks keeping is all safe but your average TSA person is not going to have a clue.
Sounds like a training issue. They just need to look up the serial number to determine the model... If the passenger say Apple replaced the battery already. The agent can reply “I’m sorry. This model can’t be carried on”. The problem is electrics can be damaged by the rough treatment of check-ins, but that’s no longer the airlines concern...they’ve followed procedures.
This is definitely a pain in the ass for travelers, but as long as the owner knows they can put in a sleeve/case to protect it...
If the owner planning to get work done on the flight, they’re obviously going to be seriously unhappy.
FYI Identify your MacBook Pro model. Find the serial number printed on the underside of your Mac, near the regulatory markings. It's also on the original packaging, next to a barcode label. The original packaging might also show an Apple part number, such as MLH12xx/A (“xx” is a variable that differs by country or region).
So you want the TSA to read your sticky note and believe you? There is no easy solution. The lines are immense and everyone is in a rush and short-tempered. If I were late for a plane and held up by a guy in front trying to explain that his printed original package information proves his MBP isn't on the list I might feel differently than if I am the one with the MBP, as I always am.
I will pack my MBP in my luggage and take an iPad next week when I next fly and hope my luggage isn't stollen. I know those that need to work on the flight are screwed unless they can work an iPad and how long before they get banned? What a mess, as if flying wasn't a freaking nightmare these days anyway. Oh, and by the way, my flight from Barcelona a few weeks ago had all these wonderful USB ports next to the screens that despite the plane being brand spanking new had the wrong USB type to work with a new iPhone and were 'not recognized' by the iPhones and iPads we had with us.
The long term solution to the fire hazard is for scientists to come up with a replacement for Li or for the mitigating the dangers of Li batteries but in the short term, I can't blame the TSA if they take the same approach as they did the Galaxie Note 7, heck I remember they were not even allowed on a cruise ship we boarded around that time. They were literally confiscated.
Of some note Samsung has set a soft-target of 2020 to have graphene batteries in at least one of their smartphones, 2021 at the outside. If so Apple will be right behind them, count on it IMO. Lithium batteries have always been a problem and Apple among others wants 'em gone sooner rather than later.
Wonder how this is going to work in practice. Anyone with a 15" macbook pro, assuming every screener is able to tell a macbook pro from anything else, let alone a 15" one from a 13" one, is going to have to turn it on and show the manufacture date? The Bloomberg article referenced says that laptops which have had their batteries replaced are not affected, how do you prove this? What happens to the laptops which are deemed unsuitable to fly, are they destroyed, kept for your return .. ? Or is this one of those bans which relies on passengers being honest? If the first people know of it is when hear an announcement when they're standing in line and they have a several thousand dollar macbook pro in their bag, there's some incentive for staying quiet.
I am not dispensing any advice myself, but this is spectacularly bad advice. Recall that when one flies, the passenger affirmatively accepts the contract for carriage, including representing suitability for the airline to carry all bags in conformance with all regulations. It is a federal crime (a felony) to knowing carry a hazardous substance onto an aircraft. Might an individual get away with it? Sure. If something goes wrong, assuming that individual survives, the consequences might be draconian.
I might have missed it, but if they forbid you to bring your laptop on board the plane, what happens to it?
Good question, I remember thinking that about the Galaxy 7s. And along the same lines, if we are forced to pack a needed MBP in the luggage going in the hold do they search every bag and take them out? If not what of one in the hold catches fire?
While I'm sure the Samdroids are having a field day, let's make sure it's an Apples to Apples comparison. This is affecting a four-year-old laptop that for all intended purposes is an old laptop with depleted batteries. The fact that Apple is allowing battery replacements for Macbooks from this year is a testament to Apple's commitment to doing what's right.
Samsung, on the other hand, had a brand new product and when barely out of diapers was already responsible for burning down a house, exploding on airplanes and who knows how many others that Samsung had to recall their brand new phone, was banned anywhere in the air, and literally hunt down every person that refused to give theirs up by threatening to hold their service plan hostage.
Just sayin...
What does age have to do with it. A fire risk is a safety risk...period.
Of course it's a safety risk. I'm just putting it perspective. How many 2015 macbooks have exploded prior to the recall? *chirp* *chirp*
I'd be more concerned with people charging their iPhones with $2 iKnockoff chargers and cables than a four-year-old Macbook taking a plane down.
I might have missed it, but if they forbid you to bring your laptop on board the plane, what happens to it?
From the article: "According to a 2016 regulation, affected devices are restricted on cargo planes and as carry-on items on passenger flights." I think this means they make you check it. Not exactly sure how this is safer, as I don't know the baggage area have fire suppression systems different or better than the main cabin.
Wonder how this is going to work in practice. Anyone with a 15" macbook pro, assuming every screener is able to tell a macbook pro from anything else, let alone a 15" one from a 13" one, is going to have to turn it on and show the manufacture date? The Bloomberg article referenced says that laptops which have had their batteries replaced are not affected, how do you prove this? What happens to the laptops which are deemed unsuitable to fly, are they destroyed, kept for your return .. ? Or is this one of those bans which relies on passengers being honest? If the first people know of it is when hear an announcement when they're standing in line and they have a several thousand dollar macbook pro in their bag, there's some incentive for staying quiet.
I am not dispensing any advice myself, but this is spectacularly bad advice.
... except my post wasn't advice, it was a comment on human nature and what people may be likely to do when faced with the scenario described.
My model falls in this range, was a customized order on purchase, had its battery replaced a while back before the known issue was well publicized, and later had its bottom/main board board replaced, so it's effectively a completely different computer and battery. I'm not gonna risk taking it abroad next week, but am gonna be very very annoyed if this becomes a problem on domestic flights.
What are we supposed to do, get an inspector's note from the closest Apple Store before travelling? Yeesh.
Why not. Tonnes of Apple fans were doing the same thing when Sammie was under the FAA gun. Fair's fair. Congratulations on your first post being so substantive.
Comments
https://checkcoverage.apple.com/
I will pack my MBP in my luggage and take an iPad next week when I next fly and hope my luggage isn't stollen. I know those that need to work on the flight are screwed unless they can work an iPad and how long before they get banned? What a mess, as if flying wasn't a freaking nightmare these days anyway. Oh, and by the way, my flight from Barcelona a few weeks ago had all these wonderful USB ports next to the screens that despite the plane being brand spanking new had the wrong USB type to work with a new iPhone and were 'not recognized' by the iPhones and iPads we had with us.
The long term solution to the fire hazard is for scientists to come up with a replacement for Li or for the mitigating the dangers of Li batteries but in the short term, I can't blame the TSA if they take the same approach as they did the Galaxie Note 7, heck I remember they were not even allowed on a cruise ship we boarded around that time. They were literally confiscated.
I'd be more concerned with people charging their iPhones with $2 iKnockoff chargers and cables than a four-year-old Macbook taking a plane down.
https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/01/tsa-business-security-theater-not-security/357599/
Is that a macbook pro?
Yes, but its a 2018--
Those aren't allowed, you'll have to get rid of it.