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Safety first for carry-on Dells (QANTAS)
The Sydney Morning Herald ^ | August 23, 2006 | Louisa Hearn

Posted on 08/25/2006 12:43:41 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative

Qantas is issuing an advisory to all passengers on its flights on the safe use of Dell notebooks following the recall of 4.1 million batteries announced by the PC manufacturer last week.

The airline said that although passengers would be allowed to carry their Dells either as checked or cabin baggage, they could only use them on battery power or through the aircraft power supply available in some first and business class cabins once they have first removed the batteries from the unit.

Qantas said cabin crew would be advising passengers of the measures which apply to any computer affected by the recall, that has not yet had the battery replaced.

However not all airports were following these procedures this week. One passenger who flew out of Canberra on a Qantas flight on Monday reported that he and his colleagues had encountered security personnel removing the batteries from all Dell computers, and taping up the contact points on the battery.

"They stopped me at the security gate where I was told I couldn't use my Dell laptop on the plane. I told them it wasn't one of the affected units but they said all Dell batteries had to be taped according to an agreement between Dell and Qantas," said Mitch Denny, a technology consultant, who frequently travels for business.

Dell notebooks are a very popular choice for many corporations, and Mr Denny said he had felt a little "penalised" by his choice of laptop.

A Qantas spokeswoman said she believed the security measures used in Canberra had since been relaxed, and that Dell users would asked simply be asked to identify themselves to cabin crew on all flights via a PA message. They would then be advised individually on the new usage guidelines, she said.

An official notice outlining these guidelines was received by the corporate travel department in one large company, however the airline's spokeswoman said she was unable to verify that Qantas was the source of the advisory .

The airline has not indicated how long the measures would be in place, but the spokeswoman said: "We are closely monitoring situation as Dells's retrofit program progresses."

A Dell spokesman said Qantas' advice regarding use of notebooks in-flight was consistent with the advice Dell is giving customers, which was that customers could use their system by removing the battery and using the A/C adapter provided with their system.

"The safety of our customers comes first and our direct relationships with customers mean we must always do the right thing for them when it comes to service and product support. We are working closely with with Qantas," he said.


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Business/Economy; Extended News; Miscellaneous; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: dell; laptopbatteries; qantas

1 posted on 08/25/2006 12:43:42 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: COEXERJ145; microgood; liberallarry; cmsgop; shaggy eel; RayChuang88; Larry Lucido; namsman; ...

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail.

2 posted on 08/25/2006 12:47:02 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Paleo Conservative

3 posted on 08/25/2006 12:49:24 AM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Paleo Conservative
One good thing, the Dell Dude gets fried


4 posted on 08/25/2006 4:00:42 AM PDT by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: Paleo Conservative

5 posted on 08/25/2006 4:01:31 AM PDT by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: Paleo Conservative

Time to sell your Dell?


6 posted on 08/25/2006 4:03:02 AM PDT by twntaipan (I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than ride in Ted Kennedy's car.)
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To: Paleo Conservative
Time to extend this advisory to include Apple iBooks PowerBooks.
7 posted on 08/25/2006 6:26:47 AM PDT by Yo-Yo (USAF, TAC, 12th AF, 366 TFW, 366 MG, 366 CRS, Mtn Home AFB, 1978-81)
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To: Paleo Conservative

That cartoon is really funny but probably true. It is so easy to check the Dell model and battery serial number.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml05/05004.html

https://www.delladapterprogram.com/Main.aspx


8 posted on 08/25/2006 6:30:53 AM PDT by phantomworker ("Dance today like there is no tomorrow. And don't accuse me of your imagination.")
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