By Michael Santo
Executive Editor, RealTechNews
As if your traveling experience isn’t bad enough already, here come new battery safety requirements from the DoT. The new rules ban packing of spare lithium batteries in checked baggage, and go into effect on Jan. 1, 2008.
New rules from the Transportation and Security Administration that take effect on January 1 ban travelers from carrying loose lithium batteries in checked baggage. Passengers are allowed to pack two spare batteries in their carry-on bag, as long as they’re in clear plastic baggies.
Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about the batteries that are already installed in the devices you’re bringing. The TSA has said it’s safe to check in items like a laptop or iPhone that already have the batteries in place. Source: News.com
We Say: What they are concerned about is short-circuits and fires, which is why keeping batteries in devices or their original packaging, or taping the contacts is OK. The FAA has found that fire-protection systems in the cargo hold of passenger planes can’t put out fires ignited in lithium batteries, while the NTSB said earlier this month it could not rule out lithium batteries as the source of a cargo plane fire at Philadelphia International Airport last year.
Oh yeah.. this one was really thought out well.. one or two spare batteries is rarely enough on a trip… especially if a photographer with a notebook and several spare camera batteries.
Wait a couple of days until, the agency finally decide the procedures regarding the batteries.
http://www.screenersconfessions.com
Every Tom, Dick, Harry, and Sally in our airports will have a different opinion about what constitutes “loose.” Us photo guys and gals stand to lose a fortune in rechargeable batteries needed to power our flash units and digital cameras as they are removed from our various and sundry carry-ons during security checks. Where can I secure a “See Dick Run” copy of the law I can carry with me that CLEARLY states the restrictions? Help!
Just flew out of MPLS on Wednesday and had no problems what so ever. Those folks are competant. Not sure about the /competant TSA inspectors at Chicago O’hare. Will give this one a while for them to figure out how to anger business travelers even more than they currently do. FYI I often fly at least 2x a week from airports around the country.