Lithium batteries to be banned from air luggage
updated 03:35 pm EST, Fri December 28, 2007
Luggage lithium ban
Within days, air travellers will no longer be able hold loose lithium batteries in their luggage, the US Department of Transportation says. As of January 1st, batteries will either have to be inserted into a phone, notebook or other electronic device, or else dropped into a plastic bag, and bundled along with carry-on baggage in a limit of two batteries per passenger.
The issue, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, is that if a lithium battery catches fire while in a cargo hold, current extinguishing systems are unable to stop the blaze. The National Transportation Safety Board insists that it cannot rule out lithium as the source of a plane fire at the Philadelphia International Airport in 2006.
The ban may have its greatest impact on notebook users, who sometimes carry extra batteries in pouches to extend a notebook's typical two- to four-hour power supply. It may also affect people travelling with cameras for pro work or extended vacations, as pre-charged batteries may be a necessity in countries with different electrical outlets. [via The New York Times]
TAGS :
industry, gadgets, accessories, airlines, FAA, Department of Transportation, lithium, batteries
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
yagoddabekiddinmei
Well, I'm not all that suprised, seeing all the other stuff they ban. However, I'm VERY certain this will be yet another moronic, ineffectual ban thanks to their small and varied sizes. Camera batteries could be stuffed down into the bottom of carry-on bags, for instance.
However, the extra notebook battery will suck. I guess, you can try and fit it hard-up against your laptop (perfectly positioned behind your other battery) and hope the scanning ppl don't pick up on it. Mac laptops are thin enough to where this might work. Once you're in the air, what are they going to do, take away your battery when you pull the extra out?
"Oh, we're not allowed to have an extra? Well, take this (dead) one," as you slide the other into place with a smirk.
I truly don't see the purpose of banning laptop batteries WHEN THEY'RE NOT BEING CHARGED and not a risk of flammability. This smells of a politician with too much time on their hands...