This is the main V-Flyer Forum for general discussion of everything related to flying with Virgin-branded travel companies.
#137181 by AndyR
05 Sep 2006, 16:37
My MacBook can cook an egg in 4 minutes :)

ARGH! I'm not helping the argument HAHA!
#137183 by Neil
05 Sep 2006, 16:41
Originally posted by AndyR
My MacBook can cook an egg in 4 minutes :)

ARGH! I'm not helping the argument HAHA!


You have just confirmed why VS have implemented this ban!!
#137185 by Littlejohn
05 Sep 2006, 16:52
No it doesn't confirm it! An uncooked egg contains several kinds of liquid inside it's shell, so it would be removed at security. Thus, the fact that a PC can cook and egg in 4 minutes would prevent no risks to the flight, as there would in fact not be any eggs there. QED
#137199 by AndyR
05 Sep 2006, 17:59
Macbooks actually benefit flight as when it gets a bit chilly on the nighttime return leg, power up the MacBooks on your lap and its like an electric blanket :)

On a serious note though, its a pain this laptop ban. Bought my MacBook this year knowing I was going away, to keep me entertained on the flight and to do the photos/vid on the way back. Now can't do squat with it on the plane.
#137349 by slinky09
06 Sep 2006, 00:30
Originally posted by pjh
Originally posted by slinky09
I'd guess the heating element in a kitchen somewhere on a plane burns more often than a laptop battery is likely to, doesn't mean we don't ban coffee and tea on board? Given that most people who use laptops when flying are doing so for work, and probably work in businesses with IT teams who are on top of this situation (after all, their H&S and insurance would demand it) this is a dumb ass inflexible rule.


From a corporate point of view the heating elements in the kitchen will have been serviced by VS (or their appointed contractors). Your laptop won't have been. Presumably VS will unwind the rule when Apple and Dell declare their recall "complete".

Originally posted by slinky09
If I can't get around it today will cause me a great deal of aggro - I had planned to do a presentation while flying to deliver in the US to present later this week, without that five hours I'll now lose a night's sleep ... so I feel personally really effed off with it and yes, voting with feet will happen.

[:(!]


Do you carry more than one battery ? I don't get much more than 90 minutes useful life out of any single Dell battery..

Paul
[/quote

Actually a 9cell battery - it gives me about 6 hours use.

Ah - was saving my 1000th post for fun!

Actually on VS45 today they didn't read out the ban and so I did the work! Hurrah or boring.

Oh, and this my first post by Blackberry too ... And it's raining in New York!

Hope it's nicer in blighty?
#137354 by Littlejohn
06 Sep 2006, 00:43
Originally posted by slinky09

Oh, and this my first post by Blackberry too ... And it's raining in New York!

Hope it's nicer in blighty?

Yep its great here. We are having a bit of an indian summer, with blue skys and 24C pretty much through out the UK today, well at least from lunch time. It appears it will be staying with us right up until Friday, then it will start raining. When do you get back? Hopefully in time to enjoy the last of this glorious weather?
#137379 by Littlejohn
06 Sep 2006, 08:09
Originally posted by slinky09
And it's raining in New York!

Hope it's nicer in blighty?

I think you will find, looking above, it was not me that bought the subject up. So not guilty, this time:D
#137396 by Decker
06 Sep 2006, 09:36
OT is OT - pointing the finger and saying "he started it" doesn't cut it ;).

Congrats on 1,000 Slinky!
#139422 by mitchja
17 Sep 2006, 18:29
Well my lap-top is a Compaq so how long before they start burning [:?]

Regards
#139556 by derby_dave
18 Sep 2006, 19:50
I have just fired-off my email to VS Customer Services expressing my displeasure at what I consider an arbitrary ban. I doubt my promise to withdraw my extremely limited custom will frighten them too much though [:?]

Having read through this thread and considered the points that have been debated (and the links to video of exploding Dell laptops), I'd just point out that the declared "risk" identified by Apple is one of overheating. Presumably, if left unattended (not an issue in an aircraft) the overheating may lead to combustion, but I contend that in the infinitesimally small chance of that situation developing in flight, the user will realise something is wrong looong before there is the slightest danger to the aircraft.

In support of my use of "infinitesimally"; nine instances of overheating Apple batteries have been reported, which contrasts with 1.8 million cells recalled.

One final point if you'll indulge me: It is suggested that cabin crew can't be expected to check serial numbers - which I have to accept (though VizBiz's suggestion of dated stickers issued by ground staff is an intelligent compromise). Surely it isn't so difficult to at least narrow the ban to the effected models (12" iBook & 12" PowerBook) as other carriers have done? That would still penalise the responsible owners who have gone through the recall program though.

Oh well, I'm happier now I've got that off my chest, though may not be so happy next week when en route to BOS without the simple pleasure of my MacBook gently frying my knees... [ii]

Regards to all....


Dave
#139652 by fozzyo
19 Sep 2006, 13:43
Toshiba have now [url=[url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/archives/2006/09/19/toshiba_joins_in_sony_battery_recall.html]recalled 350,000[/url] laptops.

I guess VS and others will be adding these to the list.

If this carries on they are going to have to do something to revisit the issue - a blanket laptop ban surely can't stay in force for that long.
#139660 by pjh
19 Sep 2006, 14:23
Originally posted by fozzyo
Toshiba have now [url=[url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/archives/2006/09/19/toshiba_joins_in_sony_battery_recall.html]recalled 350,000[/url] laptops.

I guess VS and others will be adding these to the list.

If this carries on they are going to have to do something to revisit the issue - a blanket laptop ban surely can't stay in force for that long.



If the background stories are true then no airline should need to ban use of these. From the BBC -

"The batteries, used in Toshiba's Dynabook and Dynabook Satellite laptops made between March and May of this year, could lose all their power.

However, unlike Dell and Apple last month, Toshiba said there was no risk of the faulty batteries catching fire."

[:?] I suppose there's a risk of laptop fury as enraged executives hurl their errant machines around the aeroplane as they shut down unexpectedly during their games of Patience...

Paul
#140261 by David_C_H_1
23 Sep 2006, 02:30
I've just noticed this: Link


Looks like common sense has finally prevailed.











Edit by mod to shorten link.......... Nick
#140378 by napamatt
23 Sep 2006, 21:56
I would prefer to use in seat power anyway. My company had us go through a process of checking our battery serial numbers on line. I figure if I print that out and carry it aboard there wont be a problem.
#140451 by sky
24 Sep 2006, 12:41
On my SFO-LHR flight no one bothered about my MacBook, however I think the ban does make some sense, it should be coupled with a ban on checking any lithium-ion batteries on the hold though.

The fire supression system in the hold can not deal with the extremely hot lithium-ion fire, and any lithium-ion battery has a one in a couple of million chance of exploding (and not only when in use).

Makes the entire concept of the Tesla car rather scary, http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php?js_enabled=1 6000+ lithium-ion batteries!
Virgin Atlantic

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot], Murraymint and 164 guests

Itinerary Calendar