New US air travel rules for cam. batteries

Richard Alvarez · January 2nd, 2008, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Bruner

...[Of course, you can carry-on any number of Li-ion batteries of up to 8 grams Li, plus up to two extended life (between 8 and 25 grams Li) batteries provided the two extended life batteries do not exceed an aggregate Li content of 25 grams. All spare batteries must have the contacts protected either in their original packaging, by being taped over, or each in a separate plastic bag.

See, that paragraph says it so eloquently. But I think you have to fail a test to become a regulations writer for the government!

Scott Keyworth · January 2nd, 2008, 01:28 PM

I hope this is not getting here to late. but here goes.

A "Device" has to be powered by the battery.

Richard Alvarez · January 3rd, 2008, 01:56 PM

Okay this article seems to confirm our take that you get as many "under 8gm" batteries in your carry on as you like. It's also a well written review of the new regs.

http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/62899

Scott Keyworth · January 4th, 2008, 10:21 AM

I am a little late here but..
When the DOT says "device" they mean like a laptop battery is installed.
A charger does not qualify. Nor and A/B or Sony battery on a camera.

Ex: A Dionic-90 or BP-L40 on a Sony DSR-250 is an "out board" battery and is not considered installed.

A battery is a PD-150 the same.

Scott Keyworth
Anton/Bauer

Chris Hurd · January 4th, 2008, 10:42 AM

Despite how DOT defines "device," it's going to come down to how individual TSA representatives interpret these rules in practice, and most likely the experience is going to vary widely from one airport to another.

What they're going to be looking for is exposed battery contacts, and batteries carried attached on a charger will not have exposed contacts and therefore most likely will pass TSA inspection in at least some locations. Point being that I would not expect any consistency as to how these rules are enforced.

It doesn't matter if TSA's interpretation of the DOT rules is right or wrong -- what matters is that they have immediate authority to determine what will or will not pass at the security check point.

Richard Alvarez · January 4th, 2008, 10:59 AM

Chris is right, and what the thread has really been dealing with, is a 'guestimation' on how TSA employees will 'rule at the gate'. And it really is just a guestimation at this point. One wonders if it is worth printing out 'the rules' and 'interpretations' to take with, in order to better convince a confused TSA screener... but then you have to choose between the two old adages...

"The squeaky wheel gets the grease" - By arguing, you'll get by.

OR

"The squawking goose gets the axe." - Arguing will just get you screwed.

Bill Ward · January 8th, 2008, 01:22 PM

Just completed my first trip out under the new rules. I was travelling with an HDCam and 4 IDX E80 bricks. I hung two bricks on the camera, and dutifully encased the two spares in individual Ziplock bags.

The battery-laden camera and spares went into the Portabrace bag, and zipped right through security in the San Francisco and Portland airports without a hitch.

No one even opened the exterior pouch to check on the spares.

I'll still carry the letter from IDX detailing the lithium grams for my set of batteries, and the DOT guidelines detailing "as many as you want" spare batteries under 8 grams details for the foreseeable future, though.

The only impact: that camera bag is a LOT heavier with four batteries in it!

Jim Exton · January 8th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Did you have to do anything as far as labeling them dangerous goods?

If so, what?

Richard Alvarez · January 8th, 2008, 05:31 PM

Thanks Bill! SFO is my airport of origin, so that's good to hear. It'd be nice to hear from anyone else who flies 'battery laden' (leaden?) over the next few weeks.

Daniel Weber · January 8th, 2008, 11:10 PM

I just flew out of and back into SFO twice during the past week. No one ever asked to see my camera or batteries. I was traveling with a Sony EX1.

I think that it will be up to the local TSA people to enforce the rule as they see it which is very scary. I usually find the smaller the airport the worse they are about the rules. Also they tend to not have a full grasp of the rules as well.

Daniel Weber

Allan Black · January 9th, 2008, 12:01 AM

Daniel, how did you tote the EX1?
Cheers.

Daniel Weber · January 9th, 2008, 10:42 AM

I use a Portbrace Runbag, medium size.

It looks like a blue duffle bag and no one know that it has a camera in side unless you open it up. I travel a lot internationally and more and more I am finding that you want to hide your equipment when you pass through borders and customs. For the past 3 years this has served me well, first traveling with my Z1 and now with the EX1.

Dan

Bill Ward · January 9th, 2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Exton

Did you have to do anything as far as labeling them dangerous goods?

If so, what?

No, I didn't, and I don't think I'd want to! That's just asking for trouble...plus all my batteries are under the 8 gram rule, so I don't really consider them as "dangerous".

Except to my poor discs...

Brian Drysdale · January 11th, 2008, 08:56 AM

Just to show that fires can also happen on the ground.

http://www.reelchicago.com/story.cfm?StoryID=1794

Tony Davies-Patrick · January 15th, 2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Exton

Did you have to do anything as far as labeling them dangerous goods?

If so, what?

That would be like placing a sticker on your bag saying that "I'm carrying a loaded gun!"

In the real world of checking in flight baggage, it depends less on the latest national or international 'baggage rules" but more on the temperament and knowledge of the actual person sitting behind the desk that checks in your baggage. The same rules apply to X-Ray machine scanning.

January 2nd, 2008, 01:28 PM	#62
Scott Keyworth Anton/Bauer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Shelton, CT Posts: 35	Charger as a "Device" I hope this is not getting here to late. but here goes. A "Device" has to be powered by the battery.

January 4th, 2008, 10:42 AM	#65
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Despite how DOT defines "device," it's going to come down to how individual TSA representatives interpret these rules in practice, and most likely the experience is going to vary widely from one airport to another. What they're going to be looking for is exposed battery contacts, and batteries carried attached on a charger will not have exposed contacts and therefore most likely will pass TSA inspection in at least some locations. Point being that I would not expect any consistency as to how these rules are enforced. It doesn't matter if TSA's interpretation of the DOT rules is right or wrong -- what matters is that they have immediate authority to determine what will or will not pass at the security check point. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 8th, 2008, 05:31 PM	#68
Jim Exton Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Memphis Posts: 103	Did you have to do anything as far as labeling them dangerous goods? If so, what? __________________ "Four Years", a 35mm short film at http://vimeo.com/3071939 "Anniversary", a short film shot on Red at www.jim-exton.blogspot.com

January 3rd, 2008, 01:56 PM	#63
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Okay this article seems to confirm our take that you get as many "under 8gm" batteries in your carry on as you like. It's also a well written review of the new regs. http://tech.yahoo.com/blogs/null/62899

January 4th, 2008, 10:21 AM	#64
Scott Keyworth Anton/Bauer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Shelton, CT Posts: 35	I am a little late here but.. When the DOT says "device" they mean like a laptop battery is installed. A charger does not qualify. Nor and A/B or Sony battery on a camera. Ex: A Dionic-90 or BP-L40 on a Sony DSR-250 is an "out board" battery and is not considered installed. A battery is a PD-150 the same. Scott Keyworth Anton/Bauer

January 4th, 2008, 10:59 AM	#66
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Chris is right, and what the thread has really been dealing with, is a 'guestimation' on how TSA employees will 'rule at the gate'. And it really is just a guestimation at this point. One wonders if it is worth printing out 'the rules' and 'interpretations' to take with, in order to better convince a confused TSA screener... but then you have to choose between the two old adages... "The squeaky wheel gets the grease" - By arguing, you'll get by. OR "The squawking goose gets the axe." - Arguing will just get you screwed.

January 8th, 2008, 01:22 PM	#67
Bill Ward Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 580	Just completed my first trip out under the new rules. I was travelling with an HDCam and 4 IDX E80 bricks. I hung two bricks on the camera, and dutifully encased the two spares in individual Ziplock bags. The battery-laden camera and spares went into the Portabrace bag, and zipped right through security in the San Francisco and Portland airports without a hitch. No one even opened the exterior pouch to check on the spares. I'll still carry the letter from IDX detailing the lithium grams for my set of batteries, and the DOT guidelines detailing "as many as you want" spare batteries under 8 grams details for the foreseeable future, though. The only impact: that camera bag is a LOT heavier with four batteries in it!

January 8th, 2008, 11:10 PM	#70
Daniel Weber Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 696	I just flew out of and back into SFO twice during the past week. No one ever asked to see my camera or batteries. I was traveling with a Sony EX1. I think that it will be up to the local TSA people to enforce the rule as they see it which is very scary. I usually find the smaller the airport the worse they are about the rules. Also they tend to not have a full grasp of the rules as well. Daniel Weber

January 9th, 2008, 12:01 AM	#71
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,929	Daniel, how did you tote the EX1? Cheers.

January 9th, 2008, 10:42 AM	#72
Daniel Weber Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 696	I use a Portbrace Runbag, medium size. It looks like a blue duffle bag and no one know that it has a camera in side unless you open it up. I travel a lot internationally and more and more I am finding that you want to hide your equipment when you pass through borders and customs. For the past 3 years this has served me well, first traveling with my Z1 and now with the EX1. Dan

January 11th, 2008, 08:56 AM	#74
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Just to show that fires can also happen on the ground. http://www.reelchicago.com/story.cfm?StoryID=1794