Israeli Security Opens Fire on a MacBook. Thrice.
The Israeli border security didn't take too kindly to Apple's latest notebook, firing three rounds into the unibody MacBook.
Most of us here love our computers and also love to blow things up. Just ask Chris Angelini with his exploits around CPUs and firearms. Things, however, weren't so funny for Lily Sussman, who blogged on her Wordpress account about a run in she had on her way through the Israeli border.
While it's standard practice these days for border patrol to scan through a traveler's luggage, discharging a firearm three times into a bag containing a laptop isn't an action that seems good for security control.
An announcement played over the sound system, interrupting my break in the sunshine. First in Hebrew, then Arabic, then in English. It was something along the lines of, ” do not to be alarmed by gunshots because the Israeli security needs to blow up suspicious passanger luggage.”
I went inside to check on my bag. I had left it unattended, where they instructed. It was still there so I went back outside.
Moments later a man came outside and introduced himself as the manager on duty. And then, “I’m sorry but we had to blow up your laptop. “
What….all my client case notes and testimony, writing, pictures, music and applications. Years of work. NO!!!! What?? Are you insane?? What were you thinking? THAT’S ALL MY WORK!?
After much yelling, crying and frantic phone dialing (don’t be alarmed if I called you repeatedly this morning), he took me outside to see the wreckage. It turned out it hadn’t been quite blown up, but rather shot through with three bullets. We were able to extract the hard drive, seemingly unscaved. Thank goodness…
Here are some other pictures of the damage to the Unibody MacBook.
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These Israeli PC fanboys went too far.
Wouldn't just running the luggage through a metal detector instead of pumping it full of lead be a better option?
There is literally no reason for that bullsh*t. Firing bullets into a laptop, even containing explosives, will not do ANYTHING.
Why does a security checkpoint dispose of suspect packages by shooting it three times? How is that going to safely dispose of the bomb? I hope they compensated her, it seems like they did not even ask her any questions about it before going Rambo.
Why in the world did they shoot it?
those bullet holes look pretty big...wonder what size firearms are they carrying?...
I'd love to hear the call to Apple support...
Apple Tech: "Have you tried rebooting the machine?"
Macbook owner: "Uh, I don't think that's going to help."
I don't know why it gives me pleasure to see a Macbook with holes in it
Hooooly cow
Did they compensate her for the damages?
At least they missed the hard drive...
It's the MacBook Pro Holy Edition
Makes no fracking sense to shoot a laptop. There is no threat.
Morons... they didnt even get the HD? hahaha. Fail!
I'm sure they took it outside and shot at it in a more open surrounding. Her fault in my opinion. They shouldn't have to replace it.
I'm sure they took it outside and shot at it in a more open surrounding. Her fault in my opinion. They shouldn't have to replace it.
lmao.
Wow ... as much as I hate Macs .... this is a bit too much.
should tell those boarder people to take a chill pill, have some kosher food(taste like shit to me), and ... point the gun at themselves.
that makes NO sense... why the heck would you do that?
gendoikari1: If you suspect an item contains an IED (improvised explosive device), the safest thing to do is attempt to set it off at a safe distance. Usually, they just blow it up with a small charge of C4 or Semtex.
jmchien: Probably a Galil.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMI_Galil
Others questioning why they shot it: As I said, the best way to deal with a suspicious package is to detonate it with a small charge of C4 or Semtex in a bomb-proof container (a detonation chamber). However, you can also shoot the suspicious page at a discrete distance. The shock from the bullet impacts has a high degree of probability of detonating an improvised explosive (an explosive is, by definition, unstable; and improvised explosives are even more so), and/or the detonator (which will then set off the explosive). Considering the on-going tension between Israel and their neighbors, this is probably a daily occurance.
So why would they attempt to "blow up" the bomb near the airport area?
12 gauge shotgun?
How stupid you must be to have all your work (years of work) on just one PC, and no backup elsewhere.
sounds like fun
That is absolutely ridiculous.
How stupid you must be to have all your work (years of work) on just one PC, and no backup elsewhere.
So Time Machine performed its functions as intented, of course.
Why in the world did they shoot it?
Because too many Israelis have died by bombs. I would do exactly the same in their place. The price of one MacBook can't justify the risk of risking somebody's life. They have might over reacted, but I can't blame them. I have personal experience working as contractor for Israelis and it is very difficult job because you need to follow strict security protocol. And to answer why they did not use x-ray. When you see unattended bag you don't want to touch it at all. They have nice robot that just fires at it. Their luggage area is specially design to sustain small explosion.
Why in the world did they shoot it?
Because too many Israelis have died by bombs. I would do exactly the same in their place. The price of one MacBook can't justify the risk of risking somebody's life. They have might over reacted, but I can't blame them. I have personal experience working as contractor for Israelis and it is very difficult job because you need to follow strict security protocol. And to answer why they did not use x-ray. When you see unattended bag you don't want to touch it at all. They have nice robot that just fires at it. Their luggage area is specially design to sustain small explosion.
Suspicious passenger luggage... so you shoot at it? Why? Think a terrorist is hiding in a luggage? or a grizzly bear?
That's why we need backup!
Wouldn't just running the luggage through a metal detector instead of pumping it full of lead be a better option?
Isn't there metal in the lap top too... maybe they just wanted to look inside and see for themselves, kinda like being at a customers desk to look in their pc instead of reading a diagnostic utility right?
Should have kept her eye on her bag... They didn't shoot her notebook, but the bag it was in. Her notebook might have been making some noises.
I don't think a ThinkPad would have faired much worse... if it was an HP - it would have shattered into a million pieces...
Fits generally with Israeli policy of "shoot first, ask questions later."
Either that or someone is a big PC fanboy.