Qantas may restrict Apple notebooks
updated 11:45 am EDT, Fri August 25, 2006
Qantas, Apple laptops
Qantas Airways is considering placing restrictions on the use of Mac laptops in its aircraft following Apple's recall of 1.8 million lithium-ion batteries. The airline is speaking with Apple, requesting further information on the actual risks that recalled batteries pose and whether those risks are similar to Dell's recently recalled notebook batteries. "We have put limitations on Dell computers and at this stage we are awaiting further information from Apple," said a Quantas spokesman. Owners of Dell notebooks can currently use their laptops in Qantas aircraft on battery power only, or with the battery removed and the unit plugged into the power outlet in first or business class, according to apc. Apple announced its own recall yesterday following Dell's recall of 4.1 million portable batteries. The faulty cells were manufactured by Sony, which pose a risk of overheating and, one at least two separate occasions, actually burst into flame.
check the battery sn
08/25, 12:10pm reply
They should just check the battery SN
chadpengar
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Joined: Oct 2001
re: check the battery sn
08/25, 12:41pm reply
The problem is that that requires removing the battery and since modern Mac notebooks don't have a pmu batter to keep the unit powered while asleep if the battery is removed for a short period, it involves shutting down the machine then restarting after the inspection. That is quite an inconvenience and time waster. And I can't imagine Qantas issuing a list of serial numbers for Dell or Apple batteries to every flight attendant. They'll just ban anything with an Apple logo.
Mind you it would only affect business and first class passengers who which to connect to the aircraft's power system. Cattle class passengers don't have power outlets on Qantas aircraft so it's not a factor for most of Qantas' customers. Mind you, I'd rather fly cattle class on Qantas than sardine class on most other airlines even if they do have power outlets.
beeble
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Joined: Mar 2004
w/e
08/25, 01:58pm reply
who flies Quantas anyway?
porieux
Baninated
Joined: Mar 2001
w/e
08/25, 03:36pm reply
No one flies Qantas (not Quantas). They only stay in business because Australia's gov't keeps feeding them money to fly completely empty planes all over the country, as well as the world. In fact, they are so empty, there aren't even any pilots on the plane.
But, as we all know, it could be worse. People could be flying any of the American airlines and all their annoying "me-first, me and my huge carry-on bags are more important then any of your c***, so get out of my way" travelers.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Qantas
08/25, 04:33pm reply
"Qantas, Ray?" "Yeah. Qantas never crashed."
bobthenob
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Joined: Jul 2004
Ban all carry on
08/28, 08:31am reply
The airlines should just ban all carry on luggage and improve their luggage handling. With all the security nowadays, you can't be in a hurry when you fly so just get your butt down to luggage claim to get your suitbag...
cebritt
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Joined: Mar 2000
matches
08/28, 12:50pm reply
How idiotic. Perhaps they (and most other carriers) should consider changing their policy on allowing customers to carry matches. That sounds a lot more like a security risk than a mac laptop with a bad battery.
http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/dangerousGoods
john_ela
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Joined: Mar 2005