Comments on: TSA Cracks Down on Batteries

By: emmanuel

emmanuel — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:11:47 +0000

you know, we need to be use our common sense a bit when it comes to these confusing rules about lithium or alkaline batteries. People have been travelling with these items before terrorism becomes a way of life for these misfits. I guess ‘commonsense’is not all that common afterall.

By: traveltoday

traveltoday — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:08:11 +0000

This is an FAA rule for checked baggage only. Probably means it’s a safety concern, not security. Other countries already ban spare lithium batteries in checked baggage due to fires that can occur in the lower part of the plane. You can take spare lithium batteries in your carry-on bags.

By: Chris Meller

Chris Meller — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:18:25 +0000

And why are rechargeable batteries dangerous during flight but non-rechargeables are not?

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 13:31:21 +0000

Don’t get too worried about this. This rule refers to rechargable lithium ion batteries and lithium metal batteries.

Most people use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries such as Duracell batteries.

Alkaline batteries are not affected by this regulation. You can still bring these non-lithium batteries on board either in checked luggage or in carry on luggage.

By: Mike Gunderloy

Mike Gunderloy — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:39:16 +0000

The rationale is that loose lithium batteries in checked luggage can cause fires – there have been a couple of incidents in the past year or so. As for the exact number, I have no idea how they decided that was a reasonable limit. Chicken entrails, maybe.

By: listen_to_blogs

listen_to_blogs — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:09:46 +0000

Hi Mike, What’s TSA’s rationale behindd banning lithium batteries? And how did they come up with the 8 gram/25 gram number.

By: Mike Gunderloy

Mike Gunderloy — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:25:04 +0000

Kathleen, the TSA site is pretty clear that you can only bring two spare batteries. But batteries in devices are exempt. Pick up a cheap digital camera that takes AA batteries and tuck your spares into that?

By: Ellie

Ellie — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:06:51 +0000

This is really confusing. I just flew home for the holiday and had to be rescreened 3 times because they could not figure out what was the rectangular box in my carry on (laptop charger). Now, I’m confused because I intended to pack it in my checked luggage for my return trip. :( I guess I’ll mosy to the TSA website and hope for the best!

By: Kathleen Weaver

Kathleen Weaver — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:37:53 +0000

HELP!

I have to travel in February with an insulin pump, and I prefer to use Lithium batteries with it. I usually carry 3 spare AA lithium batteries, do you know if can do that?