CAA Act on Cabin Baggage

[TightSlot]

Why, therefore, is hold baggage submitted in the normal manner at the check-in desk not verified in this manner, apart from the anodyne "did you pack this yourself has it always been with you"

Firstly, The number of customers that choose to pack Lithium Batteries in their checked baggage is very, very small - let's face it, not that many people carry spare batteries - most batteries are attached to the device that they operate and people are reluctant to check such items in (not least because they wish to use them in-flight). In terms of volume, the threat is low - until you move cabin baggage to the hold that is.
Secondly, there are a lot of items that you are not specifically questioned about at check-in: The list of such items is theoretically endless.
And thirdly, checked baggage (in the UK at least) is subjected to considerably more checking than the verbal questions at check-in - the primary function of which is an attempt to stimulate the remaining memory brain cells of the genuinely stupid.

[ross_M]

I'm wondering as to how all the laptops made in China and Taiwan make the initial trip to the US. Situation on board a FedEx freighter must be equally bad coz' the Flight Crew cannot access the holds in flight.

Or maybe mint condition batteries are assumed to be less risk?

[ross_M]

Thanks TightSlot!

ross_M - BCF is used because it is extraordinarily effective: It works, and works fast. If you need to cool after smothering, you can follow up with water, assuming no elex are involved.

A wacky thought; is "a descent, door cracked open and out it goes" a thought that crosses ever your minds?

Another question that crossed my mind is, let's say you had fire and smoke, the natural PAX tendency might be to move away from it. Could PAX get so clustered as to upset the CG; are these things the CC watch for; I was curious.

Also, being inspired by ships: is it an option to have smoke and fire resistant bulkheads that could be used to isolate a fire to a section? Maybe at least for galleys, lavs and such areas?

[WHBM]

Originally Posted by ross_M

I'm wondering as to how all the laptops made in China and Taiwan make the initial trip to the US. Situation on board a FedEx freighter must be equally bad coz' the Flight Crew cannot access the holds in flight.

Or maybe mint condition batteries are assumed to be less risk?

This is exactly the situation on which suspicion has fallen in the recent loss of the UPS 747 freighter at Dubai, returning after an in-flight fire in the main deck cargo, which contained a large shipment of lithium batteries.

[TightSlot]

is "a descent, door cracked open and out it goes" a thought that crosses ever your minds?

You can solve the problem by cooling the batteries, and containing the fire. Quick & Dirty solution is to turn off seat power elex, and immerse the battery in water - move an empty catering canister near the burning battery, fill with water (not ice) and move the battery into it with a fire blanket and fire gloves (and a short prayer - this process is not much fun due to the explosive nature of these fires). Move the canister to the galley and then add ice. Another good place for the battery (when cooler) is in an empty oven.

Once the fire is out, the authorities are going to want to examine the evidence, so disposing of it is frowned upon - not least by those living under the flightpath. Finally, depressurising and opening doors is tricky stuff on a large jet. The only aircraft I've known where a procedure for this existed is 747 for smoke clearance: Having read and learned the procedure, it's not something I'm ever in a hurry to do.

C/G and trim - I don't know the answer - we don't watch for it as we're expected to be fighting the fire.

Bulkheads - I assume that they are fireproofed to a degree but they are not hermetically sealed: Smoke, Gas and Fumes will travel throughout the aircraft and usually will kill you long before the heat. One of the things that we need to be careful about in a cabin fire is the use of passenger oxygen systems. The Flight deck on large jet transports does (usually) have an independent oxygen supply.

[onboard]

I fail to see how anything in this safety notice, apart from the battery part, is news.
The battery part also can only be called "relatively" new.
In my 20 years as CC this problem has always been present, as it will be until time's end.
All you can hope for is a company that actually backs CC and FC when offloading, asking for PAX to stick to published limits is obviously not realistic.
Mind you, there are of course many Passengers who DO come abord with baggage within limits. Still, there are enough who don't.