TSA: Don't Check Lithium

AmTrak doesn't go where I go. Pity.

On the other hand, AmTrak doesn't go to Atlanta or O'Hare.

Actually, I've seen this enforced by individual airports, but this is the first time I've seen it from TSA. Apparently, firefighting devices on board airlilners can't stop a lithium fire. Works for me. I don't want to worry about the cargo hold exploding into flame.
 
If they're out of the packaging but have a part nr. you can google that and find out. Otherwise it should be on the packaging.
 
wgerrard said:
AmTrak doesn't go where I go. Pity.

On the other hand, AmTrak doesn't go to Atlanta or O'Hare.

Actually, I've seen this enforced by individual airports, but this is the first time I've seen it from TSA. Apparently, firefighting devices on board airlilners can't stop a lithium fire. Works for me. I don't want to worry about the cargo hold exploding into flame.
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I took Amtrak to Chicago last year from Philly, and it does go through Atlanta. True, it doesn't go everywhere, or always at a decent time, but it does go a lot of places.

I'm more worried about center fuel tanks exploding than the cargo hold. Or was that flight shot down? I can't remember...
 
Another article spells out more clearly- the ban is on non- rechargable lithium batteries only, not the Lithium Ion ones that are so popular.
Non rechargable batteries are quite expensive and not used all that much, I don't think.
 
Passengers can still check baggage with lithium batteries if they are installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cell phones and laptop computers.
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I guess the baggage handlers need the income from e-bay auctions. There's no saftey issue as such devices will never make in on board the aircraft.

...Mike
 
A shorted battery can be dangerous as hell. I once had a nicad AA short itself on coins in my pocket and it started sizzling. At that point it probably developed internal shorts and kept on cooking. I finally tossed it in the Charles river since I didn't want to leave it on a city street (this was 25 years ago). I'm also a pilot and the last thing I want to have on board my plane is something that can spontaneously combust. I've seen what can happen to planes that catch fire in flight and I can assure you it's really disturbing.
 
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As Bryce says, the ban is on the non-rechargeable ones (for now), which may not be as common. My "issue" is the limit of 2 per passenger for carry-on. If a digi camera takes 4, you're screwed. Best to use rechargeables anyway.
 
TWO batteries per passenger, LOL, in this digital battery-eater age?
Two batteries arent' even enough to start up a camera nowadays.

OK probably u can buy batteries everywhere u go nowadays...or take recharegables... the problem is with batteries that are less common type. Like the ones in the hexar af.
Well - not that i EVER had to change batteries in the last year in the Hexar :D
 
Here is another TSA success story. An airline pilot friend of mine was denied boarding (he was catching a ride home after getting off duty) of a flight because he was carring the everpresent Jeppesen manuals used by pilots worldwide. The TSA official said such publications "would allow him to take over the airplane".
 
The new rule appears to limit carry-on to a total of two extra batteries, according to the following quote from a TSA press release:

However, the rule limits individuals to bringing only two extended-life spare rechargeable lithium batteries (see attached illustration), such as laptop and professional audio/video/camera equipment lithium batteries in carry-on baggage.
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That wiill be a problem for those traveling with several cameras.
 
Yes, that's particularly disturbing to me since when I fly commercial I often take aviation manuals with me for study -- that's my time to catch up on reading.


thawkins said:
Here is another TSA success story. An airline pilot friend of mine was denied boarding (he was catching a ride home after getting off duty) of a flight because he was carring the everpresent Jeppesen manuals used by pilots worldwide. The TSA official said such publications "would allow him to take over the airplane".
Click to expand...
 
thawkins said:
Here is another TSA success story. An airline pilot friend of mine was denied boarding (he was catching a ride home after getting off duty) of a flight because he was carring the everpresent Jeppesen manuals used by pilots worldwide. The TSA official said such publications "would allow him to take over the airplane".
Click to expand...

Frankly I'd be more worried about the terrorists that had done their homework before getting on the plane, than those that were still in the midst of some last minute cramming.

Yeah, I'm still a bit annoyed from the secondary inspection from hell that I got in Seatac last week. My DL had expired two weeks prior and I had an extension document issued by the DMV. Gasp! The horror! The confusion! I've seen the Secret Service clear several floors of a building in less time than it took them to check my friggin' carry-on. :bang:
 
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