I am guessing it is a volumetric thing. Laptop batts are big enough to do some
damage if they really are an explosive. Hard to tell the difference with an X
ray machine if you do it right.
Your cell phone likely has a similar or greater amount of processing power and
communications ability. It has to be volumetric based.
Are they blocking kindle/ipad/fire type devices?
From: Forrest Christian (List Account)
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2017 10:01 AM
To: af
Subject: [AFMUG] OT: Airplane Carryon Electronics Ban
We've been remarkably politics free, and I want to keep it that way. I know
the answer to what I'm about to ask could devolve toward that direction. I'd
prefer we don't go down that path.
What I'm curious about is this:
The US is implementing various bans on electronics larger than a cell phone
being carried onboard the aircraft into the cabin. Today it's limited to a few
countries, but it sounds like it's going to get expanded greatly. Note that
this doesn't mean you can't take say a laptop with you, but instead that it has
to be checked so it's in the luggage hold instead of accessible to you through
the flight.
So the question I have is what threat this is supposed to eliminate? The
obvious concern is some sort of explosive making it's way into the passenger
cabin, but a wireless trigger for an explosive device is so simple to rig
nowadays that I don't think the physical separation of a potential terrorist
from their explosive is going to make a bit of difference.
I can think of several other potential threats, but with the way that they're
implementing this ban, I sure can't see how any of them are affected.
Especially since you can apparently carry your larger electronics all of the
way to the gate, then have them gate check them to be returned to you airside
at your destination.
Does anyone have any ideas what threat they might be trying to eliminate?
Personally, I'm far more concerned about the risk of a lithium battery fire in
the cargo hold....
--
Forrest Christian CEO, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
[email protected] | http://www.packetflux.com
