Air travel with Lithium Batteries in the USA

Ok, im about to board the American flight domestically, and again, no mention of any kind of batteries. It's like it never happened. Ive got enough lithium with me to cure most of the depressed looking people here in the gate, so i think for now everyone is safe.

cor

ps: what is it that brings out the worst in people during travel.

ps: what is it that brings out the worst in people during travel.

Just read this thread!

A friend of mine had two lithium batteries for his little Sony video camera confiscated at check-in at Houston (G. Bush) Airport on Sunday. He was allowed to keep the other two. They said that they did not like having spare/loose lithium batteries in the bags.

They said you are only allowed 2 in total per passenger (and that includes your mobile phone and laptop).

Of course many of us flew through that airport that day with many lithiums and had no problem at all. He had a pelican case and that alerted the security staff that he may have had some "specialist equipment".

Had he had the batteries in his pockets during check in there would not have been a problem.

Alex

On the way out of Manila last week, I cringed when a guard at the security check asked "do you have any batteries" :glare: as he looked at my pelican case and lowepro bag... I was expecting a full pat down and thorough search of my pelican case with my DSLR kit, camera bag with 2 camera lithium batteries, backpack with video housing, videocam and 2 lithium batteries, & laptop with lithium batt.... I just said no and they just let me walk thru the x-ray, no further questions asked...

In the land of not-so-common sense, requiring they be packed a certain way seems logical but limiting numbers of them seems to ridiculous. I guess its in the same thought as having 90 yearl old ladies in wheel chairs patted down.

A friend of mine had two lithium batteries for his little Sony video camera confiscated at check-in at Houston (G. Bush) Airport on Sunday. He was allowed to keep the other two. They said that they did not like having spare/loose lithium batteries in the bags.

Did he have them in checked or carryon? In checked it is indeed not allowed, but in carryon it should be ok.

Doesnt surprise me at all if TSA was incorrectly enforcing this

Cor

Did he have them in checked or carryon? In checked it is indeed not allowed, but in carryon it should be ok.

Doesnt surprise me at all if TSA was incorrectly enforcing this

 

Cor

Actually I find that if you have the time and take the time to be really pleasant, act ignorant and ask them to show you the printed regulation it can be helpful for everyone...

In India I find what works best is to simply ask for a written and signed letter note stating which regulation you are violating works realyl well also.

Well it's also Houston, the one airport I really detest flying through internationally

I've just returned home from San Diego to UK and on opening my checked-in camera case when I got home discovered that all my NiMH batteries had been removed - everything else was in the case.

Insanity...how in the world is your average TSA worker going to figure this all out...no way. Can you say long lines and lots of head scratching.

 

They won't. Some will just say you can't take it. Good luck proving it's allowed.

Here's the link to the TSA requirements.

https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/hazmat_safety/more_info/?hazmat=7

Basically, spare Lith-ion batteries must be carried in carry on with the terminals protected. Batteries installed in devices don't count. There's no limitations on nimh batteries.

I plan to print this out and carry it along.

FYI, I just got back form a trip and got hassled about batteries. I had the document Jack refers to or something very similar and pulled it out and was told by the gate agent that this was a homeland security issue and not an FAA issue. I disagreed as politely as possible and eventually prevailed, but almost lost some expensive batteries.

Also, be aware that although FAA rules prohibit lithium batteries in checked bags, Mexican airport security will seize any batteries they find in carry-on and will tell you they should have been in checked bags. They will also take not just lithium, but eneloops and energizers too. I speak from experience. I now have several "devices" I take with me to Mexico, with batteries installed, to get through Mexican airport security on the way back (primarily cheap flashlights that I do not use, that will hold AA, AAA, 18650 and similar batteries. I also leave such batteries installed in working lights and other devices when I go through security. Camera batteries are tougher challenge but if left in the charger they will often be ignored.

Just returned from Philippines trip with 44 AA and AAA Mahas in plastic battery cases in hand luggage.

Went through security once at Los Angeles, and twice at Singapore, Inchon, Manila, and Puerto Princess.

Batteries were only pulled once at Inchon and passed due to being in cases.

Also have gone through Toyko, Jarkarta and Manado with same package with no problems yet!

Fingers crossed !