Have a Galaxy Note 7 - Looks Like You Can't Go on a Plane

After the iPhone 7’s newest features were announced, the world of smartphones quickly turned its attention to Samsung’s Galaxy Note7. Unfortunately, that attention wasn’t for the reasons that Samsung had hoped.

 

Why?

 

It seems that in its rush to release the Galaxy Note7, Samsung apparently overlooked  a few things. Namely, there are some big problems related to the device’s battery – something that quickly became apparent to users when the phones literally began to explode, causing second-degree burns and fires.

 

Samsung swiftly reacted, recalling the phones and offering replacements or credits toward other Samsung products.

 

It turned out, however, that the replacements also had a high risk of exploding, so eventually Samsung had to halt production on the Galaxy Note7 altogether. The company is now offering fireproof boxes for customers to return the combustible devices in.

 

Unfortunately, not everyone is taking advantage of Samsung’s offer. Despite the risk, some users are keeping their phones, and this scares a lot of people and businesses.

 

Not surprisingly, airlines are particularly worried. Allowing a phone with a high risk of explosion on an airplane would be a disaster to everyone on board.

 

Initially, airlines asked Galaxy Note7 owners to refrain from charging or using their device while in the air. But that warning was not enough for some Note7 users, so aviation organizations had to get serious.

 

It is now a federal crime to bring the Galaxy Note7 onto an airplane.

 

Penalties for Bringing a Galaxy Note7 on an Airplane

 

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) decided to take matters in its own hands. The government regulators recently published an emergency prohibition of the Galaxy Note7. Here’s how this ban works.

 

Flight attendants and airline employees are the first line of defense. They are required to refuse boarding to any ticket holder who has a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device on his or her person.

 

If the ticket holder does manage to sneak the phone onto the plane, flight attendants must instruct the phone’s owner about federal policy. The owner must then power down the device and turn off anything that would activate the phone, such as an alarm clock. Additionally, the owner must not charge the phone while on the aircraft, and must keep the phone on his or her person. Not in the overhead compartment, not in the seatback pocket – on his or her person.

 

If the passenger follows these rules, they will face no consequences.

 

However, if the phone is kept on, is left charging, or is stored anywhere besides the owner’s person, the individual will be charged with a federal crime and may have to face the consequences.

 

The punishments for failing to comply with these rules include a significant fine – a civil penalty of up to $179,933.

 

The possible sanctions do not end with civil penalties.

 

Breaking the FAA’s rules regarding the Galaxy Note7 could subject the offender to criminal prosecution. A conviction could lead to heavy fines, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

 

Don’t Let Your Loyalty to Your Galaxy Note7 Get You into Big Trouble

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note7 has a lot of amazing features. Relinquishing your device to Samsung may be a serious inconvenience.

 

But if you are thinking about hanging onto your phone, think long and hard.

 

The risk for harm may seem less than inconvenience, but the question that must be answered is this: is even a small possibility of a fire or explosion worth it? Do you want to face federal criminal penalties for using one on an aircraft – or be forced to abandon your phone at the airport?