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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 f
by 1e-9 7y ago
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 would otherwise leave the Macbook in the bag. That's a lot of hardware that has suddenly become much less valuable to travelers. Seems like Apple needs to do more than just replace batteries.
Edit: Can check serial number.
- ysavir 7y agoI will be flying out tomorrow with my 2013 15" MBP, so this was the exact thought that crossed my mind when I saw the article.
- saghm 7y ago> 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. Am I missing something? Weren't the 2016 models the ones that changed to USB-C, q flatter keyboard, etc.? Those don't look identical to the 2015 and earlier models
- 1e-9 7y agoThe mid-2015 models are also covered by the ban.
- abrowne 7y agoApple built and sold the 2015 model for another couple years alongside the USB-C ones.
- bayofpigs 7y agoI bought a refurbished mid-2015 in 2017. Looking up the serial number Apple indicates it's either not affected or already addressed. Pretty sure this model would get flagged for a flight. A few weeks ago replaced one of the speakers and the batteries looked a little puffy. https://imgur.com/3Dav7hH https://imgur.com/3Dav7hH. Probably shouldn't be flying.
- seanmcdirmid 7y agoYou can open the MBP up and show the agent your About Mac window in the setting menu. It has the serial number, but more importantly, it will tell them the year of the laptop (mine says mid 2014).
- adonnjohn 7y agoDoesn't this tiptoe the line with a breach of privacy? Once the computer is unlocked, is there anything stopping them from just seizing devices if they want to review data?
- seanmcdirmid 7y agoFrom my understanding, TSA security isn't customs, so it isn't a constitution suspended zone.
- atm0sphere 7y agoMore info: https://www.aclu.org/other/constitution-100-mile-border-zone https://www.aclu.org/other/constitution-100-mile-border-zone
- AsParallel 7y agoInformative, though I don't think that relates to the TSA.
- atm0sphere 7y agotrue, it was more in reference to constitution-free zones.
- MertsA 7y agoThe TSA does it as well, not having any valid justification has never stopped security theater before. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/12/tsa-surveillance-laptops-cellphones-domestic-flights https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/12/tsa-surveillan...
- tyingq 7y ago"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 airline experience. Advice: Buy a Dell sticker to cover the apple logo on your MacBook. Or some similarly silly thing like an "Apple Store FAA compliant sticker" program. (I'm linking back to this comment later when it happens :)
- pdonis 7y agoIf 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.
- tyingq 7y agoIt'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/all 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)."
- fortran77 7y agoMight a passenger, properly warned, be liable if he brings a banned laptop on the plane anyway and it catches on fire?
- dave5104 7y agoI don't think OP was implying that. There are Macbooks that look identical in appearance to the affected devices but are perfectly fine.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]
- ypcx 7y agoDoes the serial number change if the battery has been serviced? Or are these devices banned from flying forever.
- k_sze 7y agoImagine the airlines reading each serial number and phoning Apple to ask if it has already been serviced for the battery-related recall. Ouch.
- pbhjpbhj 7y agoApple have the database already, airlines check millions of tuples a day, including updated no-fly lists, updated air-miles lists, updated VIP lists, etc., they might be using the phone but assuming they're technologically deficient seems like "underestimating the enemy".
- devy 7y agoYeah, checking serial numbers of MBP is not practical. So this FAA rule is not really enforceable.
- pbhjpbhj 7y agoWhy do you say it's not practical, Apple stores do it. Checking a number against an API isn't exactly rocket surgery.