Lithium Batteries on Planes - restrictions coming?

[knightrider]

Check out this article I just ran accross on Aol - click (http://news.aol.com/partners/usa-today/_a/batteries-can-pose-fire-risk-to-planes/20070306142509990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001). Talks about possible battery restrictions with Lithium batteries. I almost had heart failure thinking they were after my precious CR123A flashlights! They seem to be more concerned with laptops and cell phones though.

As long as my Surefire lights are safe... and my Surefire spares carrier with 6 batteries that looks like a revolver cylinder on an x-ray machine! :laugh:

[justmyluck]

I was actually a little concerned with this as I had not traveled by air in some time. However, I traveled with my Inova X5, a laptop and cell phone and had no troubles through security. I also thought the fisher bullet pen may make them look twice, but nope, through security with no problems.

Eric

[knightrider]

This was around the time that all those laptop batteries were starting on fire. I don't think they are going to make any restrictions now.

I'll keep my fingers crossed! Leave my gadgets alone TSA!

[greenLED]

This was around the time that all those laptop batteries were starting on fire. I don't think they are going to make any restrictions now.

I'll keep my fingers crossed! Leave my gadgets alone TSA!
I just flew half-way across the US and then abroad with a load of 123's in my luggage, and a few in my carry-on. Not a second look. They were more interested in a nearly empty tube of Blistex that I forgot to put in those stupid plastic baggies than all the other stuff I was carrying. :confused:

[knightrider]

Blistex can be very dangerous! I can't believe they let you on the plane with it! You could have randomly soothed people's chapped lips! Oh the horror! :laugh:

[Raven]

Did they give any indication of why the interest in the Blistex? That's just too weird.

[greenLED]

Did they give any indication of why the interest in the Blistex? That's just too weird.
Current regulations only allow a certain volume of liquids, gels, etc. to be on your carry-on, and they must be put inside a transparent bag while you go through the TSA security filters. The stupid thing was in the bottom of my pack. I honestly had no idea that it had fallen there, so I obviously forgot to put it inside the bag. Just for that I got to stand in the "special" line, was given a treatment inside the "puffer", "wanded", etc.

When the TSA Officer found the tube of Blistex he sort of rolled his eyes (I couldn't say if it was at my "carelessness" or because the X-ray operator pulled me aside because of *that*), put it in a ziplok baggie and sent me on my merry way. Each airport seemed to have their very own interpretation of how tightly rules are interpreted and what is allowed to go through. That Blistex tube must've gone through at least 3 security checkpoints before I got flagged. At one point, I also inadvertently went through a security filter with my belt still on (with my watch attached to it) , and nobody said a thing. At other airports, I had been asked to take those off and put them in my bag or in a tray. I put my shoes on top of my laptop at one airport and the things went through fine; I did the same at the next airport, and was asked to use a separate tray for my shoes. I boarded with water bought beyond the security checkpoint at one airport, but was asked to empty my bottle at another before going onto the plane...
:shrug:

Anyway, back on topic: nobody commented on the lights I was carrying (most of them 123-powered).

[Destroid Monster]

I just travelled to & fro from Melbourne to Singapore last week. I checked in my M6, but hand-carry all my 20+ CR123A batteries as well SC2 & some other flashlights (6P, HDS EDC etc) without any problems.

[celler]

The TSA is a total joke. Apparently they are going to release restrictions on some carry on lighters in August. Zippos and non-torch butanes. And get the reason: they were spending too much time searching for lighters that they were missing the "important" stuff. Geez, I feel so safe. Anyway, there is no rhyme or reason to what the TSA will do next. I am so tired of flying "naked."

Craig.

[greenLED]

Apparently they are going to release restrictions on some carry on lighters in August. Zippos and non-torch butanes. And get the reason: they were spending too much time searching for lighters that they were missing the "important" stuff. :(