Recalled 2015 15-Inch MacBook Pro Models With Faulty Batteries Banned From Flights in U.S.

[theorist9]

Yeah I don't understand the whole anyone that likes anything other than Apple needs to say that anyone that buys their product is an idiot. There are plenty of reasons to buy both Apple's products and their competitors products. And there are also reasons not too. Either way it's really shallow if you think you can judge someone based on what electronic tool they buy.

Yes, exactly. I recall the repeated posts on sites like Engadget, during the 2000's, declaring that anyone owning Apple was a "sheep" that bought purely to look fashionable, and further didn't understand computers and thus needed to use a "dumbed-down" system. This position is, of course, stunningly ignorant. I pointed out to them that the percentage of users with Apple computers in university physics, physical chemistry, and computer science departments was far greater than that in the general population, both because its native Unix interface facilitated development work, and its powerful windows navigation features (enabling one to navigate easily among 100 open windows at once [~10 apps x ~10 windows each], as I did when writing my thesis) allowed researchers to focus their intellectual efforts on solving scientific problems rather than struggling with their OS.

There are good reasons to use MacOS, good reasons to use Windows, and good reasons to use Linux. And the people that make those respective buying decisions are typically much more familiar with their needs and use cases than random strangers on the internet.

 

[Rookie42]

Well, some airlines are actually the ones that contract with TSA.. of course the agents are trained and in place from the TSA agency (under homeland I believe) but many airlines will put in extra TSA locations and the priority ones for sure independently and PAY something for them.

So, if say an airline like United decided to not allow this laptop, the TSA checkpoints in terminal 3 at SFO would I imagine ALL be given that directive.

Also, "well the laptop is already out" doesn't apply universally here, since many people today use service like TSA PRE which allows one to keep all electronic devices left in the carry-on bags and put it all through the XRAY machine. And leave shoes on as well. So, they won't have the opportunity to VISUALIZE the laptop at security unless they someone see an image in the xray and can someone tel that it is a rMBP (and as I noted above the architecture and exterior are pretty much identical for years 2012=2015)

So, to operationalize this is going to be challenging to say the least.

Interesting. Sounds like you have a great deal more information about how the TSA works than I do.

So... perhaps my views/suggestions are somewhat off / unrealistic.

Overall, I got the impression that many people on this thread were simply saying it would be impossible to screen for these things, and I felt it wouldn't be so bad or difficult, so I put forward my suggestion on how I felt it could work.

Clearly there are flaws in my proposed method. In my defence, I'm not an airport security expert, but at the same time perhaps that's why I shouldn't have proposed it!

Anyway... I have some faith that the relevant authorities will do what they can do address the issue.

As for TSA PRE - a service which I get the idea of, but have not come across in the UK, I wouldn't be surprised if they implement something within that asking for the serial number of any laptop to help prevent that becoming an issue. Maybe this is just another half-brained idea of mine, or maybe it could work, or at least help. Perhaps instead, they'll simply suspend the service, but I hope not for the sake of all those who use it.

 

[dukebound85]

I have a mid 2015 15"mbp.

My serial says not affected

Will I be able to take this on a plane with no issue?

 

[genealto]

Following a recall initiated by Apple, the Federal Aviation Administration has banned mid-2015 15-inch MacBook Pro models with faulty batteries from flights, reports Bloomberg.

Apple in June announced a voluntary recall and replacement program for 15-inch MacBook Pro models sold between September 2015 and February 2017 as these models may contain batteries that can overheat and pose a fire safety risk.

In a statement to Bloomberg, the Federal Aviation Administration said that major U.S. airlines have been notified about the recall and have been instructed to follow guidelines for goods with recalled batteries.

That means affected Apple laptops that have not received replacement batteries are not allowed on flights as cargo or in carry-on luggage, which is standard operating procedure.

Earlier this month, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also warned European airlines to make sure affected MacBook Pro models are switched off and not used during flights.

Four cargo airlines, including TUI Group Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Italy, and Air Transat have implemented bans that prevent the laptops from being brought on planes as cargo.TUI Group Airlines, based out of the UK, plans to begin making announcements about affected MacBook Pro models at the gate and prior to takeoff, but laptops with replaced batteries will not be affected. There is no word on whether similar announcements will be made at U.S. airports and other airports worldwide.

Apple has asked customers with a 15-inch mid-2015 MacBook Pro to stop using their machines until they can take the steps to have their batteries replaced. Users with a 2015 MacBook Pro can enter their Mac's serial number in the recall program website to check if their machine needs a replacement battery.

Apple has been offering free replacement batteries since June and has sent out emails to customers who are affected urging them to bring their MacBook Pro models in for repair. 2015 machines that have a fresh battery are allowed on planes as normal.

15-inch MacBook Pro models from 2015 that have faulty batteries are in danger of overheating and catching on fire. Approximately 432,000 potentially affected MacBook Pro units were sold in the United States, along with 26,000 in Canada.

Article Link: Recalled 2015 15-Inch MacBook Pro Models With Faulty Batteries Banned From Flights in U.S.

[doublepost=1566036353][/doublepost]I really find this a serious issue. My 15" MacBook Pro falls within the affected dates, however, a check at https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall indicates that my MacBook Pro battery does not need replaced. I contacted TSA to find out if a print out from the Apple site would be sufficient proof that my MacBook Pro was safe to bring on an airplane. The response was that it was up to the TSA gate agent. This is totally unacceptable, and my fear is that given the knowledge of many TSA agents, the ban will extend to all Apple laptops when someone shows up at the gate. The only real solution at the moment is to purchase a non-Apple laptop when flying. I hope that Apple is working with TSA to work out a certification plan for MacBook Pros that are either unaffected by the recall or have been repaired. This is really a very bad situation for those of us that need to fly with our computers.

 

[tivoboy]

[doublepost=1566036353][/doublepost]I really find this a serious issue. My 15" MacBook Pro falls within the affected dates, however, a check at https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall indicates that my MacBook Pro battery does not need replaced. I contacted TSA to find out if a print out from the Apple site would be sufficient proof that my MacBook Pro was safe to bring on an airplane. The response was that it was up to the TSA gate agent. This is totally unacceptable, and my fear is that given the knowledge of many TSA agents, the ban will extend to all Apple laptops when someone shows up at the gate. The only real solution at the moment is to purchase a non-Apple laptop when flying. I hope that Apple is working with TSA to work out a certification plan for MacBook Pros that are either unaffected by the recall or have been repaired. This is really a very bad situation for those of us that need to fly with our computers.

Well, that seems a bit extreme. I mean we’re really only talking about a 4 year old model that is still out in the mainstream. Any NEW Mac model or indeed model since 2016 form change has no problems at all. And indeed any other prior models, 13”, smaller mbp and air, no problems there. I think Apple DOES need to come up with a plan for a printout for affected users machines, so they can show something to TSA to appease their concerns or protocols.

 

[Junyong]

Am I allow to change my MacBook Pro 13 2015 inch as well?
My battery is swollen

 

[lec0rsaire]

The important thing is we continue working towards a future where only Apple Inc. is legally allowed to service the batteries on their devices.

Don't live near an Apple Store and the post service won't transport faulty batteries? Move to a real city, loser.

Yeah. Out of all of the non-serviceable, non-upgradable parts the battery is really the worst. Soon the glue they use will be more and more like cement.

 

[Khedron]

Good summary by right to repair activist Rossmann of the nonsense being fed by the media

 

[tivoboy]

Well, I made a genius appt for my 2015 MBP 15” that is in the range earlier this week.

Frankly, apple couldn’t have been LESS interested or have less of a plan for someone with an affected unit that online only says “it’s either been repaired for not subject to repair”. they said that my purchase date was 12/10/16, which it actually wan’t. This unit was from an earlier buyer, so there is no real record of the original purchase date that I have at least.

I mentioned my concern with the FAA ban and airlines ban, and that I travel 2-3 times a month and can’t really afford to have the unit denied flying. I’m currently traveling with a padded envelope that I would either put my unit in at an AirPort and I have printed out what IS online from the apple site, but I don’t find that the TSA would find that acceptable.

They asked me “well, have you been stopped” and I said of course no. And the apple rep said, well if they stop you just give them the Serial Number and they will be able to see that it isn’t an affected unit. To which I replied “are you serious, do you really think TSA is going to look at at unit and serial number and go online and review something”. I mean seriously, nobody is going to do that.

In the end they did nothing other than add a note to my record for this machine and print it out that says “this unit is not in the affected units”.

What I really think they should do, is open the units and confirm WHAT battery is in there, and or REPLACE the battery for free (they said I would have to pay) and then print out a SPECIAL print out that one can carry that indicates that there should be NO problem - but for now, they aren’t doing that at all.

I’m waiting to see when/if someone actually gets stopped and has a laptop taken away or denied flying.

 

[delta0]

The battery in mine was replaced just before my US flights last week. Not once was my laptop checked or was I asked if the battery had been changed.

Even if they were on the ball and had a PC or tablet set up at the gate, connected to the website, to check serial numbers, getting the serial number from one machine (which may be in someone's carry-on and you have to tell them you need to look at it, and then explain why you need to look at it, "yes, really, yes, you", and then have them get it out, and turn it on, and maybe plug it in, and maybe boot it up, and maybe log in, to get to "About this Mac", and then read out/transcribe the serial number without error)... now multiply that by, say, 20 users... that's quite a pile-up at the gate.

Or they could just take the serial number from the back of the case?