Pilots are against this ban. And I can completely see their point of view.
What if an innocent laptop catches fire? Lithium-ion batteries have done so, out of the blue. So, that laptop is in the hold, catches fire, starts to burn through the clothing in the suitcase, fire gets bigger, starts to consume the suitcase, gets even bigger and you have a huge problem. Which nobody can easily handle. You must put the plane down.
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/....1494916642152
According to the European Agency for Security of Aviation (EASA), airlines need to take the responsibility to check if all devices in checked in luggage is turned off. Can you imagine the lines at the checkin desk if every single person had to open up their suitcase so that every single device can be checked if it's turned off?