TSA's new forbidden item

[PhotoTraveler]

This is zero surprise. Anyone who has worked with Lithium Ion Batteries the last few years and has had to ship them saw this coming. Every year the restrictions get tighter.

I'm not talking about your off the shelf camera batteries, but stuff used for bigger things, and cells to be integrated in packs for things like electric cars and such.

It's surprising it's taken this long for them to crack down on this.

What is a bit surprising is no ban on 3rd party cells. That most definitely is coming since that is where the biggest safety issues are. The OEM batteries are safe and when a issue is found, they are quickly and properly recalled (see what Sony has had to go through). That just doesn't happen with the 3rd party knock offs.

This is in part why Sony has the batteries with chips in them now to lock out 3rd parties. It's only a few years before all devices with lithium ion batteries will be required to have such systems to ensure the devices are only using OEM batteries that have been heavily tested and only charged with proper chargers (no more death trap fast chargers and so forth). When Sony, Canon, Nikon have models with chipped/locked batteries in them, people who own them will have no issue traveling, those who have older models without such features will be out of luck.

 

[Chuck Lantz]

Every time I've tried to understand the tough job the TSA inspectors have, they've pulled some incredibly stupid stunt while checking me through carry-on inspection. Rather than bore you with the dozen or so incidents, here's the most recent two events:

After putting my laptop in a seperate plastic bin, as required, and having it go through X-ray, some bonehead TSA guy grabbed the bin as it came out of the X-ray machine, and took the laptop out and tossed it, spinning like a frisbee, onto the metal table. Naturally, since I was ten feet away, I couldn't reach it as it spun across the table and onto the floor, knocking the battery out of it. The battery hasn't worked since.

On the next flight, another TSA bozo at the entrance to the X-ray machine grabbed my LowePro sling camera bag out of a bin, saying I didn't need to put backpacks in a bin. As I was telling him it was a camera bag, with two cameras and three lenses in it, he DROPS the bag on the floor, breaking two filters.

And before you say "file a claim with the TSA", I'd suggest that you take a look at the paperwork they want for claims. Photos, receipts, and blah-blah-blah. It ain't worth the trouble.

But since some of them are such dunces, maybe there's a way around this new battery restriction. Just print up a few new labels on your computer, saying "Ni-cad battery", and paste them on your Lithiums.

...just don't say I suggested it.

--

'If they're not screaming at you to get out of the way, you're not close enough' http://www.ChuckLantz.com

 

[Rumpis]

IMHO angry describes these comments much better. Seems to me not all of these restrictions really improve security and safety. Some of them reminds me "security theater".

--
Rumpis )

 

[jack Doeski]

I applaud the TSA's decision. If it makes air travel safer, I'm all for it. - Jack

 

[MK914]

For some, there is no authoritarian rule that is too much.

 

[chuxter]

IMHO angry describes these comments much better. Seems to me not all
of these restrictions really improve security and safety. Some of
them reminds me "security theater".

I'm not sure "angry" is quite right either. I just detest stupidity. I was trying to be slightly funny in showing the insane state of afairs we are in. I can see George Carlin doing a stand-up routine about airline "safety"...

There is nowhere I need to go so badly that I'll expose myself and my belongings to abuse like the TSA delivers.

--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700, Sony R1, Nikon D300
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
Bridge Blog: http://www.here-ugo.com/BridgeBlog/

 

[bearcat]

I agree 100% with your sentiments regarding the erosion of our freedoms in general. However, this one is probably justified as a legitimate safety concern.

 

[Charlie Self]

Recently I had a real problem carrying a few cameras in hand luggage
when the UK had the single small carry-on bag allowance.

My problem stems from a need for a CPAP machine: it barely fits under a set, but the appliances with it are fragile, so it can't go in the belly of the best. Without it, I literally am unable to sleep, but if it gets lost or destroyed on a trip, I have to locate a doctor, get a prescrip and spend about $800 to $1,000 for another (except on an emergency basis, it probably costs $3,000, as does most medical gear).

The blessings of TSA mean I can't carry it and cameras at the same time.

--
Charlie Self
http://www.charlieselfonline.com

 

[Charlie Self]

IMHO angry describes these comments much better. Seems to me not all
of these restrictions really improve security and safety. Some of
them reminds me "security theater".

Yes. Except I wouldn't say "some." "Most" is the word that comes to mind immediately, "all" when I'm in less of a rush.

--
Charlie Self
http://www.charlieselfonline.com

 

[Chuck Lantz]

I applaud the TSA's decision. If it makes air travel safer, I'm all
for it. - Jack

Walking makes air travel 100% safe.

If the feds really wanted to make flying safer, they'd quit folding to the airline's demands and force them to quit squeezing seat space, which would cut down on circulation problems that many passengers experience,

And they'd mandate European airline air quality standards, instead of the fuel-saving bad air "standards" we have now on American carriers. Or have you not noticed the rise in "air rage" lately? A direct result of oxygen deprivation. Look it up. (Recirculating cabin air is a huge problem, and heating outside air costs them a few bucks) The current rules mandate safe air quality for the pilots, but not the passengers.

--

'If they're not screaming at you to get out of the way, you're not close enough' http://www.ChuckLantz.com

 

[fad]

when the federal government was put in charge of airline security.

It was done for one reason only --it was popular.

Now flying is a lesson in self-abasement for every free citizen.

It will not get better, only worse.

We never learn.

--
Frank
http://www.pbase.com/homeros

 

[Chato]

I agree 100% with your sentiments regarding the erosion of our
freedoms in general. However, this one is probably justified as a
legitimate safety concern.

We are lied to, deliberately frightened, our freedoms abrogated, told that photographers are all potential terrorists...

So when they announce, what appears to be a legitimate concern, for some reason we don't believe them...

Dave

 

[Wayne Larmon]

What is a bit surprising is no ban on 3rd party cells. That most
definitely is coming since that is where the biggest safety issues
are.

Proof please? The only problems that I know about were caused by OEM batteries.



http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/laptops/dell-laptop-explodes-in-flames-182257.php

This is in part why Sony has the batteries with chips in them now to
lock out 3rd parties. It's only a few years before all devices with
lithium ion batteries will be required to have such systems to ensure
the devices are only using OEM batteries that have been heavily
tested and only charged with proper chargers (no more death trap fast
chargers and so forth).

Again, proof please? But if this happens, my best guess that this could be the straw that breaks the US DMCA's back--the DMCA (the law that supports lockout chips) will finally be thrown out (or repealed) on anti-competitive anti-trust grounds. At least as it applies to lock-out chips.

Some background on this (ongoing) battle:
http://www.drmwatch.com/legal/article.php/3431341

The LexMark lock-out chip legal battle has been going back and forth for years. I don't know which side is winning (or has won) at the current time. But the case is illustrative of the legal battles that will be fought if lockout chips are used more widely.

When Sony, Canon, Nikon have models with
chipped/locked batteries in them, people who own them will have no
issue traveling, those who have older models without such features
will be out of luck.

If you have read the supporting articles, the main thing they are banning is loose batteries. The problem is exposed terminals on loose batteries shorting out if they touch something conductive. There has been nothing said (except by you) about problems with non-OEM batteries.

There have been problems reported by counterfeit Li-Ion batteries, because they aren't generally traceable back to the real manufacturer. But third party batteries that are sold by reputable vendors (B&H, Best Buy, etc.) are easily traceable. I'm not aware that any problems have been reported about reputable third party batteries.

Wayne

 

[KenEis]

I assume the wording is two per carry on bag? So two in my camera bag. Two in my overnighter, two in my wife's purse, and two in her carryon?
--
Ken Eis
http://keneis.zenfolio.com

 

[lharris]

I travel a lot on business and always carry 2-3 cameras. I have had some stolen or damaged in luggage so they go with me as carry on.

Yes there are weight restrictions for class of travel based on check in. There are only size restrictions for carry on except for the very small planes that actually ask your personal weight as well. And you do have to lift over you head in some cases.

What concerns me is that I carry surge protectors because life on the road requires me to.

I have a Treo, PDA, Cell, DVD, PC, 2-3 cameras, chargers. The rooms are never equipped so I set them all up on the ironing board.

I carry my electronics in a rolling bag plus my purse, I also carry spare batteries.

I thought it said we are limited to the battery in the device and 2 spares, each in a plastic bag. That did not mean two spares per item--that meant 2 spares altogther.

So, if I have my Ricoh GRD, F31d and E-3 with me, I can't bring a spare battery for one of them? Or a spare battery for the DVD player????

Or my PC? What if the battery is not loose but is in the charger? I usually pack the battery in its charger in a small baggie anyway.

This is getting silly. I want to be safe but I want to be sane.

Linda

 

[lharris]

applies to the battery being in a charger????

Linda

 

[Mark B.]

I assume the wording is two per carry on bag? So two in my camera
bag. Two in my overnighter, two in my wife's purse, and two in her
carryon?
--
Ken Eis
http://keneis.zenfolio.com

See the press release. The limit on 2 loose batteries applies to batteries with between 8g & 25g lithium content - they cited examples of extended external laptop batteries and professional video batteries.

Mark

 

[steelslider]

--hmmm, guess we'll have to buy needed batteries when we arrive...and then ship them by SNAIL MAIL back home...yawn...there is NOTHING to fear but fear itself!

VOTE for change this time folks, DON'T get fooled again...
Gary

 

[eelpout]

I assume the wording is two per carry on bag? So two in my camera
bag. Two in my overnighter, two in my wife's purse, and two in her
carryon?
--
Ken Eis
http://keneis.zenfolio.com

See the press release. The limit on 2 loose batteries applies to
batteries with between 8g & 25g lithium content - they cited examples
of extended external laptop batteries and professional video
batteries.

And the TSA is going to know the difference between these batteries and others... how exactly?

 

[Diopter]

The OEM batteries are safe and when a issue is found, they are
quickly and properly recalled (see what Sony has had to go through).
That just doesn't happen with the 3rd party knock offs.

Congratulations, Ph.T.!
You also found how to manipulate federal regulations, to make some business.

Soon we can learn, that fake memory cards are frequently used by pedophiles and terrorists.
(--)