Do Not Flush Your iPod

realjordanna writes "Clearly the bar for what is deemed as a security threat has had to be lowered — but should it be this low? When a rather embarrassed passenger loses his iPod in the lavatory — even admits to the crew his mistake, the plane is diverted to Ottawa and a bomb squad is brought in to investigate. Read the iPod owner's story and take one lesson from this kid's plight — clearly the iPod is not flushable."

I flushed my Zune the other day

[Anonymous Coward]

But it wasn't an accident.

bigger story

[legoburner]

I think the bigger story is that a WoW player actually left the house and went far enough away from their computer that they needed a flight!

the iPod

[macadamia_harold]

No wireless. Less space than a nomad. not flushable. Lame.

Re:High Alert

[Sqwubbsy]

I'm kind of split on this. Safety where electronics is concerned is important to me - especially when I'm on the plane.

But the person was up front about what happened. And you have to admit, being forced to Ottawa should be punishment enough.

Re:Watch what you drop in the toilet

[skoaldipper]

iPods use Sony lithium ion batteries. For fear of an explosion in the plane shitter, I'd say the FAA was quite prudent in this decision.

Re:Not security, but MORONDOM

[pimpimpim]

I don't know about you, but a toilet that's stuck on a long distance flight sounds like a good reason to stop and repair that essential part immediately! Or maybe you don't give a crap.

Fast foward the history tape...

[ColdWetDog]

Imagine if this had happened yesterday: http://dir.salon.com/story/tech/col/smith/2002/10/ 03/askthepilot13/index.html [salon.com]

Won't be long...

[__aaclcg7560]

Before they ban using the restroom at all. After all, it only takes a trip to Taco Bell before the flight to bring a toxic goo that could jeopardize the entire plane.

Recalls still allowed?

[Plocmstart]

I'm suprised they haven't yet done something crazy like requiring you to prove your laptop battery isn't currently recalled given the random Dell balls of fire.

oh dear god the horror!!!

[gsn]

My housemate had BBQ yesterday - I went in to the toilet this morning after him and I was sure he was launching chemical warfare against me! And he'd blocked it up! WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION! Much worse than any iPod! ITS ILLEGAL IN CANADA! People if you ever get on the plane with David Fowler inform the authorities! Even if only the name matches because thats good enough for Western Union and eBay! Hes white - you may not even suspect him of being such a vile and noxious agent of destruction! Tell the TSA! Think about the children!

Re:It's not funny, don't laugh...

[Joe The Dragon]

I wonder what would have happened if wow was also the name of a terrorist group?

Re:Watch what you drop in the toilet

[LiquidCoooled]

Your right, if it had exploded the shit would have hit the fan.

Sir, please turn on your laptop...

[1053r]

"It was me and a gruff, humorless customs official. He unpacked my luggage entirely, ran the contents of my wallet through a bomb sweep, and carefully examined all of my belongings. He then asked me to turn on my laptop. I did, and he began using it. I saw him open Spotlight and begin searching."

Luckily for me, if he'd turned on my laptop all he'd of gotten would be a $ prompt:

Official: Umm... What's this $ mean? And why is it all text? Is this dos or something?
Me: Oh, that's just the bash shell, it means you're logged on as a user in a Unix system.
Official: And what exactly is unix? is it some sort of anarchist tyranny virus?
Me: Umm... No, it's just an operating system. Like Windows.
Official: I see, and where did you buy this "unix"?
Me: Well, actually it's called Ubuntu Linux, and I downloaded it off a torrent.
Official: (Into his radio) I think we have a software pirate here....
Me: Actually, it's free. Canonical will ship you free CDs.
Official: And who exactly is canonical? Are they some muslim extremist group trying to destroy the United States with computer viruses?
Me: Umm... No... Actually they're --
Official: Shut up! We're taking you into custody!

Should I be scared?

[ENIGMAwastaken]

The bottom of my Slashdot page says "This page will self-destruct."

Should I be scared?

Re:When is an Overreaction OK?

[kestasjk]

It's a bad time for an arab couple to join the mile high club, that's for sure..

Re:reactionary sheep-low IQ as well

[fastgood]

It's come out that that liquid attack was almost total crap

So was the iPod. But would Apple allow us to call it an iPod if it is no longer white? And would it have been an acceptable lavatory item had the passenger accidentally swallowed the device a few hours earlier, and then deposited the excess cargo through conventional methods?

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:iPod = WMD

[787style]

That's iWMD to you, mister.

Re:Why bring an iPod into the lavatory?!??!??

[The Cydonian]

He's not the brightest person in the world, is he?

I particularly like the way you've deduced the kid's intelligence levels based on where he takes his ipod with him. A very succicent, rational and thought-provoking analysis; Sherlock Holmes would be proud.

Re:Watch what you drop in the toilet

[notque]

TLDR

Re:" They " won

[Carlbunn]

Of course, they don't speak english.

Re:Watch what you drop in the toilet

[Xanthis]

What are we coming to? Having to confess that iPood in the toilet? What? Oh... iPod. Nevermind.

Re:Watch what you drop in the toilet

[ultranova]

Your right, if it had exploded the shit would have hit the fan.

Turbine. Fans are soooo yesterday tech.

Re:High Alert

[TuomasK]

I waited in total silence for about 10 minutes as he kept searching and searching, until I finally asked him, "What are you looking for?" "Contraband," he said without looking up at me. "Such as?" "Child pornography, hate propaganda."

What he should have replied next is "Why, are you somekind of pervert?"

Today electronics; tomorrow ???

[skylerweaver]

Banning all liquids was a good idea because of the given threat.

Soon *the terrorists* my find a way to detonate their clothing and all clothing will be banned in the cabin. This sounds pretty cool at first, but keep in mind how often is the random person sitting next to you a slammin' hottie?

After that *the terrorists* will find a brilliant plot to set themselves on fire by rubbing their arms together REALLY FAST. Once this happpens, all PASSENGERS will be banned from being in the cabin. Very smart.

Terrorists win.

Re:High Alert

[JD-1027]

Bah, the world is filled with nothing but sheep.

Too good to pass up.

iPod Killer?

[Anonymous Coward]

So did the iPod still function after being fished out of the toilet system, or have we finally discovered an iPod killer?

Re:High Alert

[NMerriam]

or BSMD lifestyles

BSMD -- is that where people get sexually excited by listening to doctors talk authoritatively about things they don't know? :P

Re:Today electronics; tomorrow ???

[guzugi]

I can't wait till they uncover some "mastermind plot" to take down planes with screaming babies.

Based on a true story

[SmlFreshwaterBuffalo]

I can see it now: "Ipods on a Plane"!

I'm not supprised

[Anonymous Coward]

I have a friend who was detained, charged then turned loose for wearing a shirt with
"Kiss My White Ass" on it in Arabic.
It was not until they had a translater document his shirt that they relized what it meant.