TSA & Batteries

[John Sharaf]

Hi Sam,

It’s my understanding that the Dionic 90’s are considered “small” lithium ion batteries so there is no restriction on the number you can carry on. The 160’s are “large” so only one attached to the device (camera) and two spares are allowed in carry on.

I think you’ll find that the rules are neither fully understood or implemented by TSA agents across the system, so I’d suggest that you carry a print out of the official regulations in case you’re challanged.

Bon voyage!

JS

[Dusty Powers]

Passengers are allowed an unlimited number of spare batteries whose equivalent lithium content per battery is less than 8 gr. (90Wh batteries). Each passenger can also carry no more than two lithium-ion batteries that contain more than 8 gr. of equivalent lithium content per battery, this includes 120Wh,150Wh and higher models.

So pack all your 90Wh bateries in the belly of the plane and then cary only two of anything greater on board. I’ve been gaffer taping two of the larger batteries together, mounting it on the camera and making them look as one. No problems so far.

dusty powers
http://www.hdcrew.net

[Evan Mcintosh]

>>So pack all your 90Wh bateries in the belly of the plane and then cary only two of anything greater on board.

I don’t believe this complies with the new rules: according to the DOT site, lithium ion batteries of any size must be installed in a device in order to be sent in checked baggage.

https://safetravel.dot.gov/quick_chart.html

It’s confusing…

Evan McIntosh
McIntosh Productions LLC
Atlanta, GA

[Dale West]

This thread underscores the problem. I’ve heard stories of guys traveling now the same way we have for years. The batteries go in the case with the charger and nothing so far. I’ve also heard of a crew having to discard a brand new idx np because the TSA agent didn’t know the rules. I myself have gone back to
Anton Bauer for travel. It sux because of the weight but like all of us I cannot afford to get to the shoot and have the batteries still in Miami. And it is all rumor as no one from TSA or NTSB has made any public statements about this. Have 5 camera guys read the guidelines and you will get 5 differing opinions on them. One person told me that a person from TSA said that they were not in the business of confiscating batteries. But as we have learned the rules change from airport to airport and sometimes its different concourse to concourse. I was also talking to the guys at Prosource and they had heard that the restrictions were going to be tightened again in October but had no info as to what that would be. To be safe the only lithium batteries we carry right now are the two NPs for the audio bag.

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

[Dan Geller]

I spent time on the phone with DOT folks when the rule first came out. They heard from quite a few video folks and clarified the language a bit.

Here is what is supposed to be the real deal: no checked luggage lithium-ion batteries unless they are attached to the camera (attaching to a charger doesn’t count), and for carry-on as many lithium-ion batteries as you want if each single battery contains under 8 grams of lithium (all IDX batteries). If you have a battery that contains between 8 and 25 grams of lithium, then you are allowed two of those “medium batteries” for carry-on in addition to all the others below the 8 gram limit you are carrying on. The catch is that for “medium” batteries the rule aggregates the lithium content across all you “medium” batteries for a total of 25 grams of allowed medium battery carry-on. Again, this has no bearing at all on the “small” or under 8 grams each battery. You could carry on 6 IDX E10 batteries as well a two more medium batteries that had, say, 10 grams of lithium each.

It does help to put tape over the contacts or to put each battery in its own plastic bag. The big concern is shorting out of contacts again metal or each other and a fire.

IDX published a PDF file stating the lithium content of all their batteries and also stating the rule, which can come in handy if a TSA agent challenges you.

–Dan

[David Linstrom]

I recently recieved a notice that the DOT cancelled this order until further notice. I called the DOT and the officer that ansered the phone said that it was correct. It reads in part:

“Please disregard the instructions contained in the referenced NETHUB message of December 31, 2007 as it is hereby cancelled. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration has requested that TSA not take any action regarding the recent rule related to lithium batteries. It is not DOT’s intent to seek assistance from TSA in enforcing the new DOT battery rules at this time. Due to the potential impact this new rule may have on the traveling public, DOT has determined that they need time to educate the public regarding the new rules. Therefore, the TSO’s are instructed to take NO action involving lithium batteries discovered as a result of the screeining process either at the screeing checkpoint or at checked baggage screening locations.”

I’ve flown 4 domestic flights since Febuary 1 with a copy of this notice in my battery case and have had no problems so far. I’ll post here if anything changes.

Cheers
Dave Linstrom
p.s. hey there Dusty 🙂

dlinstrom

[Sam Painter]

Good news! Thanks!
Do you have an official link that this post is on?
I would like to print it and carry it with me as well as pass it on to other people.

Sam

[Sam Painter]

Good news! Thanks!
Do you have an official link that this post is on?
I would like to print it and carry it with me as well as pass it on to other people.

Sam

[Sam Painter]

Good news! Thanks!
Do you have an official link that this post is on?
I would like to print it and carry it with me as well as pass it on to other people.

Sam

[Sam Painter]

Good news! Thanks!
Do you have an official link that this post is on?
I would like to print it and carry it with me as well as pass it on to other people.

Sam