Primarily for general aviation discussion, but other aviation topics are also welcome.
By riverrock
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1526007
I've just read http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39333424

For years we've been told to bring electronic equipment into the cabin, so if the batteries malfunction the devices can be dealt with (normally bucket of cold water or a special fireproof bag).
Now electronic devices larger than a mobile phone from certain countries are being told to be put in the hold. Surely this is more dangerous? Apparently, one of the triggers for this is http://avherald.com/h?article=4934dec0 / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daallo_Ai ... Flight_159 but they think that the laptop bomb was on a timer - so this would make no difference.

Is this just another political point being made for no reason my the new USA administration?

To keep this GA related - my plan on thermal runway of a battery is to throw the device out of the aircraft, as the Bulldog canopy is designed to open a few inches in flight. Do others have a plan?
By Cessna57
#1526062
Was it XKCD where he has to discard his bottle of water and he replies

"really? you're letting me carry on a laptop with a large battery that I can easily short circuit with a hair clip, and making me throw away normal water"
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By Dave W
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1526063
riverrock wrote:I wonder if there has been a specific threat identified?


This from last year, maybe?

Daallo Airlines Flight 159
Image

Edit: BBC just reporting that UK will introduce a similar rule to the US one.
Last edited by Dave W on Tue Mar 21, 2017 3:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
By riverrock
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1526064
As i said on my first post - that wikipedia article suggests that the laptop had a timer in it - so if it was in the hold, the outcome may have been worse, as it could have caused other items to catch fire.
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By Katamarino
#1526065
This is just another piece of political protectionism; the Trump administration trying to punish people for using Middle Eastern airlines. The UK as usual is wagging its tail and following along. Thank goodness we left the EU so our leaders will just blindly obey the US, and not the EU as well. :roll:
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By Dave W
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1526066
That incident was an explosion occurring before the aircraft was fully pressurised, also.

Here's the BBC story on the related UK change in policy:
UK 'to follow US flight ban on laptops'

Katamarino, do you think the Somali experience is nothing to be concerned about, then? That laptop reportedly made its way onto the aircraft through X-Ray, and we (rightly, IMO) have no idea whether anything similar has been tried and foiled since.

Not everything that happens in the World is driven by Trump & Brexit, and I find it frustrating when serious issues are immediately reduced to that trope.
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By fattony
#1526071
Dave W wrote:Not everything that happens in the World is driven by Trump & Brexit


Agreed. I find it hard to believe the UK would implement similar restrictions without cause. Despite Brexit, I still think the UK is more moderate than the US.
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By alexbrett2
#1526075
The crazy thing is that they are suggesting this means that these devices, with lithium batteries, should be put in the hold instead of being brought into the cabin.

Surely that doesn't stop any explosives that have a timer or remote detonation, and also is against the ICAO advice not to put lithium batteries in the hold as you can't get to them should they have a thermal runaway...
By riverrock
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1526087
If you check the "Conditions for Carriage" for pretty much all airlines, they say you aren't allowed to check in computers.
eg:
http://www.qatarairways.com/uk/en/condi ... riage.page
1.3 You must not include in Checked Baggage fragile or perishable items, money, jewellery, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities, or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples.


or BA:
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/in ... f-carriage
8f) Fragile or perishable items must not be packed in baggage checked into the hold
You must not include in your checked baggage fragile or perishable items or items of special value such as:

money
jewellery
precious metals
computers
personal electronic devices
share certificates, bonds and other valuable documents
business documents or
passports and other identification documents.


So laptops are essentially un-returnable to the UK or USA from those countries, as you'll break one rule or another.
By avtur3
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1526120
We've just returned from Australia to the UK flying via Dubai, one of the listed airports.

When we checked-in in Melbourne our bags were checked through to Manchester, so Melbourne would have to be the point where the ban on electronics in carry on would have to be enforced since there would be no opportunity to relocate items when passing through Dubai.

Given the prominence of Dubai as a hub I could see connecting flights from many other locations getting caught by these changes. It'll be interesting to see how these changes are communicated and implemented, it's not just the listed airports that will be affected.
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By ianfallon
FLYER Club Member  FLYER Club Member
#1526121
riverrock wrote:If you check the "Conditions for Carriage" for pretty much all airlines, they say you aren't allowed to check in computers.
eg:
http://www.qatarairways.com/uk/en/condi ... riage.page
1.3 You must not include in Checked Baggage fragile or perishable items, money, jewellery, precious metals, computers, personal electronic devices, negotiable papers, securities, or other valuables, business documents, passports and other identification documents or samples.


or BA:
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/in ... f-carriage
8f) Fragile or perishable items must not be packed in baggage checked into the hold
You must not include in your checked baggage fragile or perishable items or items of special value such as:

money
jewellery
precious metals
computers
personal electronic devices
share certificates, bonds and other valuable documents
business documents or
passports and other identification documents.


So laptops are essentially un-returnable to the UK or USA from those countries, as you'll break one rule or another.


That seems to suggest those rules are designed around the value of the items rather than the hazard they contain