For Your Safety:

Samsung Galaxy Note7 Phones Now Banned from All Air Carrier Flights

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation and Administration (FAA) have announced a ban on the Samsung Galaxy Note7 (both original and replacement devices) on all air carrier flights effective Sat., Oct. 15 at noon ET. This announcement impacts all Jet Linx flights and passengers.

From the DOT/FAA:

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with the Federal Aviation and Administration (FAA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), today announced it is issuing an emergency order to ban all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States. Individuals who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States. This prohibition includes all Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices. The phones also cannot be shipped as air cargo. The ban will be effective on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at noon ET.

If an air carrier representative identifies that a passenger is in possession of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device prior to boarding the aircraft, the air carrier must deny boarding to the passenger unless and until the passenger removes the phone from their person as well as carry-on and checked luggage.

FAQs on the Samsung Galaxy Note7 Ban:

Q: Who is issuing the emergency order and what does it do?

A: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with the Federal Aviation and Administration (FAA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA). This order prohibits individuals from transporting a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device either on their person, in carry-on baggage, in checked baggage, or from offering the device for air cargo shipment.

Q: When does the prohibition go into effect?

A: The prohibition goes into effect at noon, Eastern Daylight Time, on Saturday, October 15, 2016

Q: Does that include Samsung Galaxy Note7 replacement devices?

A: Yes. The prohibition includes all Samsung Galaxy Note7.

Q: Why are all Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices banned?

A: Device owners have experienced documented incidents of dangerous evolution of heat with both recalled and replacement Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices. Samsung and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) acknowledged this imminent safety hazard with the company’s September 15, 2016 and October 13, 2016 recalls. Additionally, on October 11, 2016, Samsung suspended the manufacture and sale of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 device.

Q: What happens if I have my Samsung Galaxy Note7 with me and refuse to hand it over?

A: If passengers attempt to travel by air with their Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices, they will be denied boarding unless and until the passenger removes the phone from their person as well as carry-on and checked luggage.

Q: What happens if I’m out of town and have my phone with me but have to get back?

A: You cannot board the aircraft with the phone. Contact Samsung to find out how to return the phone. Passengers who are currently traveling with their phones should contact Samsung immediately to obtain information about how to return their phones and arrange for a refund or a replacement phone. For additional information on returning your Galaxy Note 7 device to the manufacturer, call 1-800-SAMSUNG or 1-800-726-7864.

Q: What are airlines going to do?

A: The Samsung Galaxy Note7 is a forbidden hazardous material. Air carriers must not knowingly permit passengers to board an aircraft with these devices. Damaged or recalled lithium ion batteries, including those contained in equipment, are not permitted to be transported by air.
Air carriers are required to make passengers aware that the device is prohibited. If an air carrier representative identifies that a passenger is in possession of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device prior to boarding the aircraft, the air carrier must deny boarding to the passenger unless and until the passenger removes the phone from their person as well as carry-on and checked luggage.

If an air carrier flight crew member identifies that a passenger is in possession of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device while the aircraft is in flight, the crew member must instruct the passenger to power off the device, not to use or charge the device, and to keep it on their person and not in the overhead compartment, seat back pocket, or in any carry-on baggage, for the duration of the flight. It is also important for such passengers to disable apps that may activate a powered off phone, such as alarms, and to protect the power button of the device. In addition, air carriers must utilize hazardous materials incident reporting processes and procedures to inform the FAA about any incidents involving discovery of Samsung Note7 devices onboard aircraft.

Q: Will air carriers have to report incidences to the FAA?

A: Air carriers must follow hazardous materials incident reporting processes and procedures to inform the FAA about any incidents involving discovery of Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices onboard aircraft.

Q: What happens if I accidently take my phone on the plane?

A: If you bring a Samsung Galaxy Note7 onto the aircraft, immediately power off the device and do not use or charge it while onboard the aircraft. Keep the phone on your person and not in the overhead compartment, seat back pocket, or in any carry-on baggage, for the duration of the flight. It is also important for you to disable apps that may activate a powered off phone, such as alarms, and to protect the power button of the device.

Q: Can I just turn off my phone and put it in baggage? 

A: No. Baggage is the most dangerous place for these phones because the fire cannot be extinguished if the phone overheats. You cannot board the aircraft with the phone. You cannot stow your phone in baggage. You cannot put forbidden hazardous material in baggage.

Q: If my Galaxy Note 7 smartphone is powered off the whole time, why can’t I bring it?

A: The Galaxy Note7 is classified as forbidden hazardous material and poses a risk when transported by air. You must follow the DOT emergency order and not bring the phone on board the plane.

Q: What’s the danger to aircraft if my Galaxy Note7 smartphone is powered off?

A: Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices may cause an ignition or a dangerous evolution of heat or become a fuel source for fire, even when powered off.

Q: Can the phones be shipped as cargo on a plane?

A: The phones cannot be shipped as air cargo.

Q: Then, how are recalled phones being returned?

A: PHMSA has issued a special permit to Samsung to facilitate commercial ground shipment of the recalled devices.

Q: Will planes have to divert if the crew finds one onboard?

A: Airlines follow well-established safety protocols and guidelines for handling emergency situations, including those involving forbidden hazardous materials such as Samsung Galaxy Note7.

Q: Will phones be confiscated by TSA or airlines if they are found?

A: If a Samsung Galaxy Note7 is found at aTSA checkpoint, TSA will instruct the passenger to exit the screening area and remove the phone from their person as well as any carry-on and checked luggage before proceeding through the checkpoint into the sterile area. You may have an opportunity to take the phone to your car or make other arrangements before going through the screening area.
If an air carrier representative identifies that a passenger is in possession of a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device prior to boarding the aircraft, the air carrier must deny boarding to the passenger unless and until the passenger removes the phone from their person as well as carry-on and checked luggage.

Q: How do I obtain more information?

A: For additional information on the recall, visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov.

For additional information on returning your recalled Galaxy Note 7 device to the manufacturer, call 1-800-SAMSUNG or 1-800-726-7864.

For additional information about safe travel with lithium batteries and other potentially hazardous materials, visit the DOT Safe Travel Website at http://phmsa.dot.gov/safetravel/batteries.

Additional passenger information from the FAA is available at: http://www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe. For all other questions about the transportation of hazardous materials, contact PHMA’s Hazardous Materials Information Center at 1-800-467-4922 or infocntr@dot.gov.