Air travel restrictions - Page 4

fjtorres · 03-23-2017, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dopedangel

I think with how suddenly these bans were announced and are going to be implemented I have a feeling they have some kind of information on an active threat.

There has long been a concern over battery packs and the recent failed raid in Yemen *reportedly* yielded some added data in that area.

On the technology side: it is far from inconceivable that a laptop battery package/casing could be reworked to hold a small battery good for a few minutes of normal operation and fill the rest of the volume with plastic explosive. If the explosive can be sealed to prevent outgassing (smell) the bomb would be undetectable except by specialized detectors. Which are expensive and apparently not in use in the listed airports.

Of course, there are other theories floating about with credibility depending on the political inclination of the propounder and the audience. That would be a matter for a different forum.

MikeB1972 · 03-23-2017, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I already read somewhere you need to be sure your device is charged because they can ask you to turn it on. I still see absolutely no increased security with this measure. Only an increased amount of people who cannot claim a stolen tablet/laptop because it wasn't in the hand luggage...

Because you can replace the battery with an explosive device, simple, easy and cheaper than buying a Samsung Note 7.

kennyc · 03-23-2017, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

Because you can replace the battery with an explosive device, simple, easy and cheaper than buying a Samsung Note 7.

Sweetpea · 03-23-2017, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB1972

Because you can replace the battery with an explosive device, simple, easy and cheaper than buying a Samsung Note 7.

True, my phone does have a replaceable battery. But it's also allowed to go into the cabin (unlike that Note 7!)...

tdonline · 03-23-2017, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

Well, you could always resort to dead-tree books for those occasions. I can't read those anymore, but since I'm well accustomed to audiobooks, I'm fine. We have a small collection of dead-tree books for my Mom as she prefers those when away from home rather than her paperwhite (i've tried).

Same here. The last 3 years, I listened to audiobooks far more than read ebooks. For whatever reason, the last six months, I've gone back to reading and gone off audiobooks. Recently, I've made an effort to go back to my previous routine of reading and listening nonfiction/fiction combo. So I'm pretty well-customized to audiobooks. I'm used to listening while I'm doing chores and driving (on the rare occasions when I do drive). The only time I'm still when listening to audiobooks is bed-time and I have the book on auto-shutdown. So naturally, if I'm sitting still on a plane and listening to a book...sleep follows.

JSWolf · 03-23-2017, 11:56 AM

I find the problem with audiobooks is I have to pay attention which means I cannot really do other things at the same time. Audiobooks also take a lot longer to get through then a book. Also, depending on the how you are listening to the audiobook, picking up where you left off may not be so easy.

But as to the electronics ban, as long as I can bring my phone & backup battery, I can read on a plane. But I'd prefer my H2O.

HarryT · 03-23-2017, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But as to the electronics ban, as long as I can bring my phone & backup battery, I can read on a plane. But I'd prefer my H2O.

Virtually all planes have USB power sockets on the seats these days, so power really isn't a problem.

Zetmolm · 03-23-2017, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Virtually all planes have USB power sockets on the seats these days, so power really isn't a problem.

Yeah, if you fly business class.

Most of the planes I'm on (and I travel regularly, several flights per month) don't have these USB power sockets on my seats.

Sweetpea · 03-23-2017, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetmolm

Yeah, if you fly business class.

Most of the planes I'm on (and I travel regularly, several flights per month) don't have these USB power sockets on my seats.

Not only business class. We had USB connections (even a full (american style) socket!) on our economy flight to the US. I think it depends a bit on the flight (short vs long).

HarryT · 03-23-2017, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetmolm

Yeah, if you fly business class.

Most of the planes I'm on (and I travel regularly, several flights per month) don't have these USB power sockets on my seats.

I've never flown business class in my life but, as I said, virtually all the airlines I fly around Europe in and to and from Egypt provide power sockets.

Zetmolm · 03-23-2017, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've never flown business class in my life but, as I said, virtually all the airlines I fly around Europe in and to and from Egypt provide power sockets.

It seems it's time for me to switch to other airlines, then.

HarryT · 03-23-2017, 04:41 PM

I guess it depends how far you're flying. On a 45 minute flight from Manchester to Paris it doesn't really matter if there's power, but it's useful on a 5h flight from London to Cairo (and EgyptAir planes always do seem to provide USB sockets). I'm almost certain it was there too on the last short-haul flight I did a month or so ago from Manchester to Munich with Lufthansa. The airlines I fly with most commonly in Europe are British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa.

Bilbo1967 · 03-23-2017, 05:25 PM

Hmmm.. In the last 18 months or so I've flown UK mainland to Madrid (3 times, Iberia), Prague (British Airways), Ukraine (twice, Ukrainian Airlines) and Belfast (Easyjet). All economy class and no trace of a power socket on any of those flights.

JSWolf · 03-23-2017, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Virtually all planes have USB power sockets on the seats these days, so power really isn't a problem.

I disagree. I've flown quite a bit and most planes do not have USB sockets or even outlets. This is both planes from the US and the UK.

I'll let you know if there are USB sockets on our next flight. We are flying on the 12th of April and it is not a short flight.

rxmom03 · 03-23-2017, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'll let you know if there are USB sockets on our next flight. We are flying on the 12th of April and it is not a short flight.

If you check seatguru.com you should be able to tell if your seat has power outlets or not.

03-23-2017, 04:41 PM	#57
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I guess it depends how far you're flying. On a 45 minute flight from Manchester to Paris it doesn't really matter if there's power, but it's useful on a 5h flight from London to Cairo (and EgyptAir planes always do seem to provide USB sockets). I'm almost certain it was there too on the last short-haul flight I did a month or so ago from Manchester to Munich with Lufthansa. The airlines I fly with most commonly in Europe are British Airways, Air France and Lufthansa. Last edited by HarryT; 03-23-2017 at 04:47 PM.

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03-23-2017, 11:56 AM	#51
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 74,033 Karma: 129333114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I find the problem with audiobooks is I have to pay attention which means I cannot really do other things at the same time. Audiobooks also take a lot longer to get through then a book. Also, depending on the how you are listening to the audiobook, picking up where you left off may not be so easy. But as to the electronics ban, as long as I can bring my phone & backup battery, I can read on a plane. But I'd prefer my H2O.

03-23-2017, 05:25 PM	#58
Bilbo1967 Not scared! Posts: 13,424 Karma: 81011643 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Midlands, UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10	Hmmm.. In the last 18 months or so I've flown UK mainland to Madrid (3 times, Iberia), Prague (British Airways), Ukraine (twice, Ukrainian Airlines) and Belfast (Easyjet). All economy class and no trace of a power socket on any of those flights.

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