FAA Bans Some Recalled MacBook Pro Models From Flying, Citing Fire Risk

This is going to get confusing at the check-in / inspection in airports - need to prove you've had the recall repairs, or you don't have an affected model...otherwise skip your flight or dump your rejected Macbook "in the bin".

FAA Bans Some Recalled MacBook Pro Models From Flying, Citing Fire Risk
Tom McKay, Yesterday 9:45pm
https://gizmodo.com/faa-bans-some-recalled-macbook-pro-models-from-flying-1837224828

"The Federal Aviation Administration has “banned select MacBook Pro” units from flying in the air after Apple issued a warning that some contained batteries that pose a fire risk, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

The ban applies to some 15-inch MacBook Pros with Retina Displays sold between September 2015 and February 2017; these were subject to a June 2019 Apple recall warning of a “fire safety risk” if the laptops continued to be used without receiving replacement batteries.

The FAA said in a statement to Bloomberg that it was “aware of the recalled batteries that are used in some Apple MacBook Pro laptops,” adding that it had alerted airlines to the issue.

European Union Aviation Safety Agency regulators issued their own warningsearlier this month, Bloomberg wrote:

This week, four airlines with cargo operations managed by Total Cargo Expertise—TUI Group Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Italy, and Air Transat—implemented a ban, barring the laptops from being brought onto the carriers’ planes as cargo, according to an internal notice obtained by Bloomberg News.

“Please note that the 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro laptop, sold between mid-2015 to February-2017 is prohibited on board any of our mandate carriers,” a TCE operations coordinator wrote to employees...." more info in article at link above...

FAA issues flight ban on 2015 MacBook Pros with faulty batteries
You'll have to get its battery replaced if you want to fly with it.
Mariella Moon, @mariella_moon, 14h ago
https://www.engadget.com/2019/08/13/faa-flight-ban-2015-macbook-pro/

 

Ya get what you pay for. Oh wait? It's even funnier when people are spending $2,500 and higher on CrapBooks.

 

So much for user non-replaceable batteries. If one brings this up as a disadvantage on a Mac forum prepare to be beaten to a pulp. This FAA guideline wouldn't be an issue if one could just swap in a new battery by pulling a latch, like in the good old days.

 

Of course because it's all about protecting the Fruit Company. No dissension or negative talk is allowed, not even in NBR. Hell even the moderators on this forum protect the name of Apple. Expect no less from their cult followers.

And you're right, removable batteries would solve the issue but then again how on earth would Apple make up for all the loss revenue if they weren't constantly screwing over the public?

 

" Which laptops are affected?
Affected laptops were mostly sold between September 2015 and February 2017.

"In a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk," says a statement on Apple's website. If you have a 15-inch MacBook Pro, you can visit Apple's recall page and enter its serial number to determine whether your machine is affected. Apple says it will replace the batteries at no charge, though replacement could take up to two weeks."
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy...book-pros-with-battery-problems-from-flights/

So far nothing on the TSA site specifically mentioning the Macbook:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/laptops

" Laptops
Carry On Bags: Yes
Checked Bags: Yes
Please remove the laptops from your bag and place it in a separate bin for X-ray screening.

TSA Pre✓® travelers do not need to remove shoes, laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, belts or light jackets. Please see TSA Pre✓® for more information.

For more prohibited items, please go to the 'What Can I Bring?' page."

Searching on the prohibited items list, or using "site:tsa.com macbook" in google search doesn't bring up anything special, yet.

 

Oh yea, this is very familiar. I had 13" MacBook Pro and while it is not mentioned in recall - I had to swap battery myself because one day it just went this:
http://imgur.com/a/4UP6ynY
But hey, Apple is still number one on survey list of most reliable notebook companies according to some other person's link to PCMag user surveys, I guess people are supposed to trust that made-up statistics more than actual facts like battery recalls or attempts by Apple to fix their keyboard design on all MacBook models since 2015. Or the fact that Apple was heavily criticized by professionals who repair their stuff for a living, like Louis Rossman ;-)

TSA has this, which is enough, this is from their site:
"RECALLED BATTERIES AND DEVICES: Lithium batteries recalled by the manufacturer/vendor must not be carried aboard aircraft or packed in baggage. Battery-powered devices recalled because of lithium battery safety concerns also should not be carried aboard aircraft or packed in baggage unless the device or its battery has been replaced, repaired or otherwise made safe per manufacturer/vendor instructions"
This does not specifically mention Apple but the TSA agents themselves will most likely have a list of affected models, which is easy to check because Apple prints serial number on back cover so they do not need the user to power it on.

 

Did you have a link into the TSA where you found that? I only came up with this:

"That being said, the FAA's website on what can and can't be packed has a ban on any device with a recalled Lithium-ion battery, so MacBook Pros aren't really being singled out here, though the onus seems to be on travellers to make sure they aren't carrying a machine with a potentially fiery battery.

"Lithium batteries recalled by the manufacturer/vendor must not be carried aboard aircraft or packed in baggage," the FAA guide states.

"Battery-powered devices recalled because of lithium battery safety concerns also should not be carried aboard aircraft or packed in baggage unless the device or its battery has been replaced, repaired or otherwise made safe per manufacturer/vendor instructions.""
https://www.theinquirer.net/inquire...cbook-pros-with-borked-batteries-from-flights

If that is all there is right now perhaps the new FAA decree banning Macbook recalls will somehow make the TSA be more proactive in checking specific Macbook details at the airport?

How else would the TSA catch these before they got on to a flight, or stuffed into a suitcase unless TSA went looking for them.

Seems like a poorly enforced ban unless there is some checking or verification at the TSA checkpoint.

 

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=20
At the very bottom, before they provide link to https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/ which does actually have details about specific Apple recall. The TSA themselves link to this FAA regulation when you search for batteries.

FAA never lists the brands so like I said, most likely each TSA worker will get a list of affected Serial numbers to check against. But I am not a TSA employee so I do not know the exact details ;-)

 

MacBook Pro 2015 Under Fire As Four More Airlines Ban It From Flights wccftech.com | Aug 29, 2019

Apple’s troubles with select models of the 2015 MacBook seem to be getting worse. The FAA got the ball rolling when it reminded travelers early last month to avoid carrying recalled batteries unless the cells were repaired or recalled by the manufacturer. Then, airlines operated by Total Cargo Expertise issued instructions to avoid carrying 15-inch MacBook Pros manufactured between mid-2015 and February 2017 on its flights. The notebooks are banned from both passenger and cargo holds. Now, over this past week, four more airlines have joined the 15-inch MacBook Pro boycott. Take a look below for more details.

Thai, Singapore Airlines Join Virgin Atlantic & Qantas In Banning 15-inch MacBook Pro From Flights

 

And, now it's *ALL* 15-inch MacBook Pro's, not just the one's actually involved in the recall.

It's too difficult in the heat of boarding for TSA / Airlines to double check each and every 15-inch MacBook Pro for compliance with the recall or if it is even involved with the recall, so they are banning all of them:

"Carrier Thai Airways has also followed Singapore Airlines’ move, and the latest airline to join the group is Qantas Airways. According to a statement the airline given to ZDNet, “ Until further notice, all 15-inch Apple MacBook Pros must be carried in cabin baggage and switched off for flight following a recall notice issued by Apple.”

This, once again means that even if you’ve got a 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro, Qantas will require you to switch off the notebook and place it in cabin baggage.

The ban is extreme, as it will cause undue inconvenience to passengers on long-haul flights, and it appears to stem from a lack of basic understanding about Apple’s battery recall program which only affects older notebooks.

Additionally, given that more airlines are implementing their interpretations of statements by the FAA and Vietnamese CAA, it’s only natural that others will join the chorus. Is Apple on the brink of a PR nightmare? We’ll find out soon."

 

What will all those MacBook Pro customers do? Now that they can't try to impress others with their "shiny" white Apple logo on the back of their laptops. Oh the vanity !

 

They get a nice "hat" to wear during the flight that says "iCargo Pro".

 

They can show it in the coffee shop/cafe before they go onboard See... Even turn it on