Passengers With Dell Laptops Get Special Airline Treatment
from the all-charged-up dept
Following the well-publicized recall of more than 4 million Dell laptop batteries, Australian airline Qantas is apparently giving passengers with Dell laptops some special treatment. Some travelers report security personnel removing their laptop batteries and covering the contacts with tape, a policy the airline says has been lifted. However, it does say that passengers with Dell laptops are asked to make themselves known to flight attendants, who can then make sure they're "advised individually" on new usage rules, which basically say that computers can't be plugged in to the plane's in-seat power system if the batteries are installed. This doesn't seem particularly helpful, since none of the cases of exploding batteries that have come to light involved an in-seat power supply, but it illustrates the sort of reaction that seems commonplace with airplanes and safety these days. Maybe it won't be so long until people aren't traveling with laptops -- either by choice, or by decree.
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So who wants to fly the new, more secure, OrgyAir?
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Mile High Club
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Re: Mile High Club
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Re: OrgyAir
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Re: Re: OrgyAir
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Re:
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Re: Re:
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Re: OrgyAir
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Re: OrgyAir
Worse yet, there are SNAKES ON THE PLANE!!!
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Re: Re: OrgyAir
Sheesh.
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Re:
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i think all laptops are a threat
any real patriot would take his laptop out in the backyard and put a bullet between its keys
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Re: i think all laptops are a threat
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Re: Re: i think all laptops are a threat
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Re: Re: i think all laptops are a threat
Dumbass.
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Re: Re: Re: i think all laptops are a threat
i'm also prety srue peple enjy to read post like yours where pple are complain about stupd crap - like someone else's puntuasion.
Moron.
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Re: Re: i think all laptops are a threat
Well, not sure about all this, but you should really think about using some punctuation.
Spell check would be a good idea as well.
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Re: Re: Re: i think all laptops are a threat
If you can't even so much as show a name for yourself and BE KNOWN when you say some trendy-ass shit like that...
SHUT THE FUCK UP.
I'm just as much of a punctuation and grammar nazi as anyone you will EVER know.
But folks... Seriously. I learned some time ago that it is POINTLESS to try to save the world - ONE ILLITERATE MOTHER FUCKER AT A TIME.
But here we are chastising this dude...and yet your post has absolutely NO RELEVANCE to the thread.
So shut your pie-hole. NO ONE CARES if you don't appreciate the fact that his grammar, spelling AND punctuation aren't up to the Oxford standard.
Now... BACK TO THE THREAD.
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Re: i think all laptops are a threat
Laptops are a threat to national security. Portable computers could be used to orchestrate terrorist attacks, set off bombs, pirate MS software, etc.
After watching a season of 24 I realised ANYONE with a laptop could be a terrorist. All those found in possesion should be fined and imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. That'll teach them!
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Re: Re: i think all laptops are a threat
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Re: i think all laptops are a threat
Laptops are no more dangerous than any other electronic device.
There have been USB flash drives that have burst into a firey pillar after being plugged in.
Digital voice recorders have melted down in someone's hands.
CELL PHONES...
Now let's talk about CELL PHONES for a fucking minute why don't we?!?
Threat to national security!? YOU BETCHA! Terrorists are buying these potentially explosive devices - IN BULK - and doing their terrorist things with them. Up to and INCLUDING using them as remote detonation devices TO KILL MY FELLOW AMERICAN SOLDIER.
But did you know that cell phones cause fires? Did you know that the batteries are JUST as capable of bursting into flame as any other battery - SONY or otherwise?
When was the last time you actually PAID ATTENTION at the gas pump? Those little stickers that depict some dude with a cell phone being an IDIOT and using it next to the pump...only to cause himself to be BLOWN TO PIECES because his cell phone sparked and lit the gas fumes... (Moral of those stickers? Don't use your cell phone next to the gas pump.)
I bet you have a cell phone. Don't ya?
YOU UNPATRIOTIC MOTHER FUCKER, YOU!!!
Think before you speak, dickhead. THAT'S the patriotic thing to do.
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Re: @$$hole Patriots
Your fellow American soldier deserves to die. They torture people in Guantanamo Bay. Damn Nazis!
>YOU UNPATRIOTIC MOTHER F**UCKER, YOU!!!
>
>Think before you speak, di**ckhead. THAT'S the patriotic thing
>to do.
Yeah, it's real patriotic to disrespect free speech and your fellow American. Patriotism is bullsh*t. If you want to show love of your country than put down your gun soldier boy and work in a homeless shelter.
Those who profess their patriotism actually love their country and countrymen the least. Those who silently work helping their fellow man instead of killing him are the ones truly deserving of respect.
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RE: i think all laptops are a threat
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Re:
Way to point out the obvious. You people make me grow a long rubbery one.
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The real question is...
While on a serious note, the overall issue of security surrounding electronic devices, (be it laptops, cameras, ipods, etc.), is something that I think will only get worse -- as these items have been a blindspot for some time for security personnel. It wouldn't suprise me if before long they will ban personal items and carry-ons... oh the joys of modern-day air travel.
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This is YOUR fault people...
The fact is that so many people are soo affraid of air travel because they think it is unsafe, despite it being statistically the safest mode of transportation by far - even safer than walking... If they aren't doing everything they can to make it safe, then how many fewer travelers will they have? Just because it has been soo convenient and easy for so long, doesn't mean you get to whine because they are making you go through an extra step to get to your destination in never-before-imagined time. Just think how many extra steps THEY have to take.
Pull your ignorant heads out of your rectums for once and see the world for how it is, not how you want it to be.
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Re:
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Take this as a blessing...
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All I can think about is that fact that you'll either have leather seats (ow!) or cloth ones that Bubba sat on last flight....
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what about the accessories?
So, if I was inclined to, I could tie someone up with a cat5, break a CD and cut them with it, then blow up the plane with the small explosive device I have hidden in one of the giant transformers on one of my power cords.
Yet none of this stuff is ever questioned.
Before 9/11, I had a hammer in my carry on (christmas gift). I was told I couldn't bring it on because I could hit someone with it. My laptop and many other things in my bag are just as heavy as a hammer and could easily knock someone out.
Just shows you no one has a clue about anything.
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Just check the battery!
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Re: Just check the battery!
This isn't an ideal world.
Let me break this down for you:
Certain series of laptops will use certain batteries. These batteries are usually designed to support several different series of laptops so that they won't have to worry about setting up more production lines than they already have to shell the money out for. It DOES help cost; not to mention it simplifies things for everyone involved in it's design.
What sets them apart is this... You may have a certain part number for that battery...but there can be MULTIPLE REVISIONS of that battery. They may decide to change the cells for any number of reasons. They may decide to change the charging module or other related circuitry for any number of reasons. There are several primary reasons why these engineering designs occur.
1.) Safety
2.) Efficiency/Performance
3.) Cuts production costs.
4.) Increases availability due to increased production with better supply and demand.
5.) Changes in parts distributors or contracts. (There are frequent disputes in the OEM/parts vendors relationships... They often change distributors to avoid dealing with further conflict.)
I have one example for you. I worked for HP building their laptops. We had a problem with Foxconn. They seemed to think that we didn't deserve to be compensated for shipments of 2.5" 60GB laptop hard drives that were damaged throughout multiple shipments to our production line. We're talkin' FOURTY 60GB hard drives PER BOX. This occured throughout several shipments. HP finally got pissed off and pulled the plug on Foxconn in that division for hard drives. Foxconn refused to settle the dispute and paid the price. They lost their contract with HP. HP had a clear case and they knew it so they didn't hesitate to breach the contract. Foxconn didn't dispute it, either. (They probably knew they were in the wrong.)
My point is... You have to consider the many variables that are involved. Yes, it would be nice if we could all dig the battery out of our laptop, look at it and see the SAME model number and deal with it from there.
But look the next time you do...and you may see the model number followed by a 'version' or 'revision' number. (Usually denoted by a 'v' or an 'r', respectively.)
With batteries it usually does mean the cells were changed or updated.
Just a little bit of edu-mah-kay-shun for ya there. :P
*grins at the Anonymous Coward*
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As for the Orgy Air airline, have you ever been seated next to someone you would like to see naked? Guarenteed, I will be in my nice window seat and Fat Albert (or Berta) will waddle down the aisle and sit in the middle seat next to me.
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So What...
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OrgyAir
Problem solved. :)
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Re: OrgyAir
>
> OrgyAir...we reserve the right to deny service to ugly people.
>
> Problem solved. :)
Problem not solved. Only ugly people would buy tickets on OrgyAir. Beautiful people have orgies for free. Not only would only ugly people be the only prospective passengers, but it would also be a sausage fest.
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dellbatteryprogram.com print it out
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You can have laptops on a plane?
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Ever heard of a period?
>You know id really like to know why you think that i mean
>with out an exsplination i find your comment False and
>made with ignorance in mind i mean everyone with a latop
>should take it out back and put a bullet though the keys
>come on how will that solve anything i myself own 3
>laptops nver had a problom with a one of them and yes i
>have a dell just one b/c it was given to me and i looked
>and my battary was not one of the ones to be recalled so i
> really want to know why you think all laptops should be
>destroyed untill i see a reply im chauking it up to plain
>Ignorance
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re: Cyryl
static electricity is a danger, certainly.. from clothes or plastic truckbed liners. and you wouldnt want to use a Blowtorch or Tesla coil next to your car while filling up.. but a cellphone is fine.
and speaking of.. I know legitimate, hardworking american businesspeople who buy cellphones in bulk and resell them. their not terrorists. and not even muslim(bet they dont even like middle-eastern music).
making the leap between airlines having insane "safety" ideas (just to see how much they can feck about with your personal freedom) and cellphones blowing up soldiers
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Re: re: Cyryl
You're full of shit.
Cell phones can't ignite gas? Tell THAT to the family of the poor bastard in California who used an old cell phone near a pump. I mean... They're probably living fairly well on his LIFE INSURANCE MONEY now and all... But I'm sure that they'd LOVE to hear your IGNORANCE.
If a battery rattles in the phone and is tapping the contacts over and over again it MOST CERTAINLY WILL cause sparks. It's true that the likelihood of it actually causing an incident like that is slim. It would also take a faulty seal in the gas pumps that lets fumes out en mass.
But it CAN HAPPEN. It HAS happened. I mean... It's not like those stickers on the gas pumps are there for any REAL reason or ANYTHING... Right?
Yeah. They're just there to look PRETTY. THAT'S it. Yeah...
Don't talk to ME about static electricity, woman. I work in an industry that THRIVES on whether or not you wear your wrist strap. Not wearing it? Might cost your company thousands of dollars in SECONDS if you're not. Go ahead. Touch that DS3 card without wearing it. I DARE you.
And uh... Wanna make sense of THIS for me?
"making the leap between airlines having insane "safety" ideas (just to see how much they can feck about with your personal freedom) and cellphones blowing up soldiers"
I never said that 'LEGITIMATE, HARDWORKING AMERICAN BUSINESS PEOPLE' are buying cell phones and selling them for terroristic purposes. I didn't say a GODDAMN THING about American citizens buying ANYTHING.
READ WHAT I SAID:
"Terrorists are buying these potentially explosive devices - IN BULK - and doing their terrorist things with them."
I said that TERRORISTS are.
And...umm... Middle-eastern? THAT is some seriously politically INCORRECT BULLSHIT.
Also... If you mean to imply that I am misinformed about cell phones being used as remote detonation devices to kill my fellow soldiers...
KISS MY ASS YOU UNPATRIOTIC BITCH.
Until YOUR ass goes through the training that WE have and you learn about the shit that WE were briefed about...
SHUT
YOUR
MOUTH
...
WOMAN.
You have NO authority on the matter. You have NO RIGHT to tell an ex-soldier ANYTHING about these matters.
I see that there is obviously no shortage of IGNORANCE on this plane...
At any rate... They're a threat. That's all there is to it. There is NOTHING silly about saying THAT.
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Re: Re: re: Cyryl
Right. That's why this story has been debunked hundreds of times.
http://www.snopes.com/autos/hazards/gasvapor.asp
Even Shell oil denies the possibility:
http://www.californiaaggie.com/media/storage/paper981/news/2004/05/19/SciTech/Cell-P hone.Urban.Myth.Unraveled-1317593.shtml?norewrite200608261320&sourcedomain=www.californiaaggie.c om
Every case reported as being due to a cell phone is later changed to being due to static electricity built up by the person, not the phone.
So, before you go off on a tantrum, perhaps you ought to, I dunno, actually learn something. I guess that's too difficult.
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Lithium Batteries
replace the present batteries which suffer
from thermal runaway and separator failure
the use of such devices should be banned
from passenger flights.
I think banning the charging of such batteries
is more than lenient. Since many of the causes
of fires, but not all, are do to thermal runaway
during charging.
The battery doesn't know what power source the
device is attached to, all it knows is it's being
charged.
Any arguments about personal freedom are absurd.
Your personal freedom ends long before putting
200-300 person's lives at risk to allow something
so trivial as recharging the battery in your laptop
top in-flight.
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