Jan 1 New Travel Battery Rule

[Chris Bell]

So much for upgrading to lithium. Now my fear is the TSA will reject all “audio/visual” batteries in checked baggage. They don’t know the difference between a Dionic and Hytron.

Thanks for this info… now I need to inform my clients that my batteries may or may-not arrive with the rest of the camera package.

I hate flying even more now.

[Inflight]

I have always traveled with a copy of the Anton Bauer page that shows the Dionics to be legal for air travel. (See link.) As the Dionic 90s are listed at under 8 grams of lithium, it seems the only change is that now I’ll carry them on instead of packing them in the camera case. I’ll now carry both the Anton Bauer document and the government document. They reinforce each other to prove I’m legal.

https://www.antonbauer.com/trans_notice_dionic90.htm

mh

[Dale West]

Inflight uses a sound practice. I am going to start doing that as well. However after heading the new rule a couple of times and spending a few minutes on the last 2 paragraphs, It seems to me that it says we can carry on 2 of the larger batteries( I use 4-160 watt hour bricks) as they are more than 8 grams but still under 25 grams. Our plan is to split up the batteries 2 for me and 2 for my soundman. Before I abandon all hope and order 4 new Hytron 140s and a new charger I was wondering if others read the rule the same way.

[Ernie Santella]

I read it the same way. 2 in carry-on per-person.

Ernie Santella
Santella Film/Video Productions
http://www.santellaproductions.com

[Thomas Kaufman]

Wow, this is yet another reason why air travel is the pitts. So now that I have 6 Dionic 90’s, I can only take 2 with me when I travel solo? Sheesh. I called customer service at Anton Bauer and they didn’t know about these new rules. Too bad, it would’ve been nice to get a little more warning.

Well, happy new year’s anyway, everybody. A safe and productive 2008!

Tom Kaufman

Thomas Kaufman, DP
Washington, DC

[Robin Probyn]

Is this a rule only for domestic US flights,only US carriers,or world wide?

Thanks

[Dale West]

Tom
You should be able to carry them all as they are under the 8 gram limit. Space in your travel bag will be your big issue. I suggest we all get used to carrying a copy of the rules when we travel. But you know how it goes. Every security line has a different set of rules or at least a different understanding of the rules. It is going to make travel much more difficult since it is often hard to find someone in charge that knows what going on. The thought of having to buy new Nicads and chargers is distressing. I’m in a very similar boat. I have 4 of the Comer 160s for each of my 2 packages. I figure that I can carry 2 and my sound tech can carry 2 but now what do I do with the stuff I already carry on? I can’t bring myself to ship the camera and I have my briefcase stuffed full.

Perhaps with the help of the NTSB and TSA someone will come up with an approved shipping case. Any entrepreneurs out there?

Hoping for a great 08 for all

Dale West
Dale West Video
12225 NE 13th Court
North Miami, FL 33161
305-892-1201

[Mark D’agostino]

I read that second paragraph a few times and to me it says I can carry on a battery with up to 8grams PLUS up to two more that added together do not exceed 25 grams. That means that I could carry on three Dionic 90s for example.