Galaxy Note7 is banned on all US flights starting tomorrow

The lives of those poor souls still holding onto their Galaxy Note7 units are going to get a lot more difficult starting tomorrow. If you haven't yet returned your Note7, you might want to consider doing that now that you won't be able to fly with it.

The United States Department of Transportation has issued an emergency order to ban all Note7 units from all flights in the US. The ban will become effective tomorrow, October 15, starting at noon ET. This means you will not be allowed to carry a Note7 on a flight within the US, or originating in the US, or going to the US. Not even if it's turned off. Not even in carry-on or checked luggage.

Here's the relevant quote from the DOT's press release:

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with the Federal Aviation 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 you disregard the ban and attempt to take a Note7 with you on a flight, it may be confiscated and you could face a fine. If you attempt to evade the ban by packing the phone in checked luggage you may be subject to criminal prosecution in addition to fines. If an airline rep sees that you have a Note7 in your possession prior to boarding, you will be denied boarding unless you get rid of the phone.

If you are caught with a Note7 on an airplane while it is already in flight, you will be instructed to "power off the device, not use or charge the device while aboard the aircraft, protect the device from accidental activation, including disabling any features that may turn on the device, such as alarm clocks". You will have to keep the handset on your person for the duration of the flight "and not in the overhead compartment, seat back pocket, nor in any carry-on baggage". You will then face fines once you've landed.

Source