Airline Travels

I know that most people out there are tired of dealing with the security at the airports. Especially when new restrictions just seem to randomly appear that were not there before. Well here is another one, but it has been out there for almost a month now. When you decide to take your next flight remember to check for batteries.

Do to some recent fires the NTSB and the FAA are restricting the carrying of lithium non-rechargeable and rechargeable batteries. They did not say that the batteries were the direct cause of the incidents, but to be safe they have published this restriction.

They have said that the non-rechargeable lithium batteries made by such companies as the energizer company are unsafe if left open in checked luggage. If these batteries are left loose in luggage and something touches the contacts (ends) of the battery it can cause a short circuit causing the battery to fail. This failure happens in the form of over-heating and sparking; which can lead to fires. They recommend that if you do have these batteries in your checked baggage that they are kept in a plastic bag or container separate from other metals like loose change. If they are brand new and in their original packaging and in your checked luggage you should be ok to have them as long as the packaging is not opened.

As for carry-on luggage your are only allowed to carry lithium batteries on you if they are attached to the electrical equipment. They are limiting that only two batteries per person are authorized for carry-on; which that pretty much covers people who have cellphones and computer devices, like laptops, and PDA. If you want to check the regulation for yourself here is a link to the published report. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/batteries.shtm