Apple Airtags

[kelvedon]

On a recent flight with QR, as I was boarding at LHR, the AirTag was reporting itself as being at a residential street in Hounslow.
Fortunately the kind residents must have delivered it to the airline as it arrived with me in Doha .

 

[jb747]

Somewhat annoying thing with later software for the AirTags is that it no longer reports their battery state, until they reach the point of needing replacement. So, before you travel replace the batteries or make sure you carry spares. There's no comment on why the battery indication was removed, but presumably because it wasn't reliable. I've also found that not all 2032s are created equal, and some are a tiny bit too thick to allow the tag to close.

 

[jb747]

On a recent flight with QR, as I was boarding at LHR, the AirTag was reporting itself as being at a residential street in Hounslow.
Fortunately the kind residents must have delivered it to the airline as it arrived with me in Doha .

Just next to the airport, so perhaps that's an indication of the length of the baggage queue.

 

[karen blancfield]

Somewhat annoying thing with later software for the AirTags is that it no longer reports their battery state, until they reach the point of needing replacement. So, before you travel replace the batteries or make sure you carry spares. There's no comment on why the battery indication was removed, but presumably because it wasn't reliable. I've also found that not all 2032s are created equal, and some are a tiny bit too thick to all the tag to close.

Do they last about a year? Now we are back home, I wondered whether it’s worth disabling them until next trip? Haven’t checked how easy it is to remove battery but you suggest it is.

 

[JB expat]

Also in addition to my above post, I can recommend these AirTag holders if you wish to place on your luggage externally:

Belkin Secure Holder with Wire Cable for AirTag - White

The Belkin Secure Holder with Wire Cable features added layers of security that ensure your AirTag is always protected. Buy online now at apple.com.

www.apple.com

They attach very securely with a metal cable and you need to use an allen key (included) to remove it. They are a lot more durable than some of the other AirTag holders I've seen.

Hi - what is the advantage re: external placement as compared to internal? thanks

 

[jb747]

Do they last about a year? Now we are back home, I wondered whether it’s worth disabling them until next trip? Haven’t checked how easy it is to remove battery but you suggest it is.

The ones that I've been replacing date back to the first release, so my guess would be about 15 months. Easy to open, just squeeze the back and twist about 30º.

 

[RooFlyer]

Hi - what is the advantage re: external placement as compared to internal? thanks

I see only disadvantages in putting it outside. Outside, it may catch in a luggage conveyor and either have the bag jam the conveyor, or be wrenched off. Inside, it can be concealed and works just as well.

 

[JB expat]

I see only disadvantages in putting it outside. Outside, it may catch in a luggage conveyor and either have the bag jam the conveyor, or be wrenched off. Inside, it can be concealed and works just as well.

That's what I was thinking which is why I was curious as to the recommendation. But maybe I am missing something??

 

[Cossie]

How do they work? Just looking at an upcoming flight with Thai and the pdf states:

“Smart Baggage” – an innovation baggage with integrated and installed lithium batteries, motors, power banks, GPS, GSM,
Bluetooth, RFID or Wi-Fi technology, is subject to specific requirements to ensure that it does not pose a hazard to aircraft
systems due to electromagnetic radiation. If carried as checked baggage, the installed batteries must be removed from the
baggage at check-in counter and the removed batteries must be carried as carry-on baggage

Just bought a couple!

 

[jb747]

Smart baggage generally contain power packs. They are the items that are of concern. I've never heard of any real issues with the likes of 2032s, and I simply wouldn't be concerned about an air tag within luggage.

 

[Cossie]

Smart baggage generally contain power packs. They are the items that are of concern. I've never heard of any real issues with the likes of 2032s, and I simply wouldn't be concerned about an air tag within luggage.

I guess I focused on the Wi Fi, RFID, Bluetooth part.

 

[vetrade]

Read about an interesting scenario in the USA involving an airtag last week. Can't find the article now but the details were that a couple bought a BMW at auction and parked it in their driveway. They were pinged on their iPhone about a foreign airtag being in their vicinity during the drive, but apparently thought it was a mistake.
The next night thieves were caught on CCTV stealing the car using a key. The auction house had only supplied the couple one key, so the theory is that the thieves somehow obtained the spare key and planted the airtag in the car so they could readily find where the car was to steal it.

 

[NamarrgonFlyer]

Well, Lufthansa has banned them now

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/lufthansa-bans-apple-airtags-and-other-tracking-devices/news-story/50ccb9354443007b0eabdb540634d673

 

[RooFlyer]

You can't 'deactvate' then, can you? Except by taking batteries out?

And I guess this will apply to all LH group Airlines ?

 

[VPS]

Well, Lufthansa has banned them now

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/lufthansa-bans-apple-airtags-and-other-tracking-devices/news-story/50ccb9354443007b0eabdb540634d673

Lufthansa says it is not banning AirTags from its flights despite tweets claiming otherwise

Last weekend, German airline Lufthansa caused some controversy among its customers by claiming that it is now banning AirTags in checked luggage from its flights. Despite tweets from Lufthansa’s official Twitter account saying that the trackers are considered “dangerous goods,” the company now...

9to5mac.com

 

[NM]

There are very different risk profiles for Lithtum (non-rechargeable such as CR2032 used in AirTag) and Lithium-Ion (rechargeable as used in laptops, tablets, phones etc.). While Lithium Ion batteries have been known to cause fires under certain circumstances (shorting, overcharging, faulty), this is not a real risk for CR2032 Lithium "button" batteries. The most significant risk associated with CR2032 batteries is as a choking and toxic digestion hazard if swallowed.

AirTags use Bluetooth for communications. Passengers are not required to disable their bluetooth headphones on an iarcraft. AirTags do not include cellular radios that phones and some tablets and computers user. So an AirTag meets the same radio communications limits as a phone in flight mode.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Why are the major newspapers continuing to running the Lufthansa air tags banned story when they have confirmed it’s not true?

 

[djkelly69]

I am guessing because of the confusion - it appears the official Luthansa account tweeted that they were being banned after they had issued the statement saying they weren't.

And now they appear to have issued another statement that doesn't really say much other they are not banned but they are subject to xx_ regulations meaning they could be...

 

[kyle]

Well, Lufthansa has banned them now

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/lufthansa-bans-apple-airtags-and-other-tracking-devices/news-story/50ccb9354443007b0eabdb540634d673

They can get stuffed. Good luck to them trying to find all the devices. Let's have a fight between the US and German authorities.

 

[kyle]

I am guessing because of the confusion - it appears the official Luthansa account tweeted that they were being banned after they had issued the statement saying they weren't.

And now they appear to have issued another statement that doesn't really say much other they are not banned but they are subject to xx_ regulations meaning they could be...

So the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Kind of like myGov.