Patently Apple posted a report yesterday titled "Samsung's Note 7 Crisis Costs will Rise to 6 Billion and Airlines Rush to Adopt Fire-Containment Bags." I noted in that report that "The Southwest Airlines incident with a Galaxy Note7 catching on fire on October fifth turned the tide of public opinion against Samsung. Even Samsung's heir apparent admitted that the incident was the trigger for him to pull the plug on blundered smartphone. The incident put the airline industry into panic mode. In short order they've now begun to outfit planes with fire-containment bags capable of withstanding 1,760C heat to stop smartphone and laptop battery fires from spreading throughout the plane.

One Android fan commented on that report saying "What's somewhat disturbing is how some of those consumers who bought the Galaxy Note 7 said they are still going to keep using them and they don't care if they put others at risk on airplanes and other public transportation where they've been asked not to use them."

I responded by saying: "Yes it's disturbing and they should realize that if they get burnt, there's no suing Samsung for failing to return the Note7. If a fire is onboard a plane due to their Note7 and someone is injured - it will land them in jail. While stupid isn't assigned to Samsung fans alone, this is over the top."

Late yesterday the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) 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.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx stated in the press release that "We recognize that banning these phones from airlines will inconvenience some passengers, but the safety of all those aboard an aircraft must take priority. We are taking this additional step because even one fire incident inflight poses a high risk of severe personal injury and puts many lives at risk."

CPSC Chairman Elliot F. Kaye added that "The fire hazard with the original Note7 and with the replacement Note7 is simply too great for anyone to risk it and not respond to this official recall. I would like to remind consumers once again to take advantage of the remedies offered, including a full refund. It's the right thing to do and the safest thing to do."

What Air Travelers Should Know

• If passengers attempt to travel by air with their Samsung Galaxy Note7 devices, they will be denied boarding.

• Passengers who attempt to evade the ban by packing their phone in checked luggage are increasing the risk of a catastrophic incident. Anyone violating the ban may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to fines.

• Passengers currently traveling with Samsung Galaxy Note7 phones should contact Samsung or their wireless carrier immediately to obtain information about how to return their phones and arrange for a refund or a replacement phone.

• If an airline representative observes that a passenger is in possession of a Samsung Note7 device prior to boarding an aircraft, the air carrier must deny boarding to the passenger unless and until the passenger divests themselves and their carry-on and checked baggage of the Samsung Galaxy Note7 device. Passengers absolutely should not pack the phones in their checked luggage.

For additional information on returning your recalled Galaxy Note7 device to the manufacturer, call 1-800-SAMSUNG or 1-800-726-7864 or visit the website: http://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/ [external link]

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.

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