Adios Batteries, Meds and Cosmetics

[MMM]

Be smart, travel light and be polite.

So true about that last point. Last year I was flying back home to Canada from Coz. There was a guy and his wife ahead of me in the screening line. She was yelling at him and he was yelling at her. They were throwing things. They were yelling at security also. "DO.YOU.SPEAK.ENGLISH??" (Like anyone is going to admit they do at that point) 'I.WANT.YOUR.BOSS" I forget what exactly the issue was. Wrong sized plastic bag, I think. Or wrong sized cosmetics. Not anything worth having a meltdown over. All I could think was that this was not going to end well in a culture where people arguing still pat one another on the back and call each other amigo. I was waved by in a heartbeat. They were still screaming and fighting and throwing things half an hour later and likely headed for a full body cavity search last I saw them.

 

[DandyDon]

Don:

What is that dog doing to that tree?
Why is the dog wearing a glove?
Why do you have this picture?
You Texas folks have a weird idea of pornography.

It looks like he is hugging it, as tree hugging was mentioned. I don't see porn. It must be you.

I find all of this permitted and not permitted stuff interesting if not confusing. We just returned from CZM yesterday (had a great time - again). Before we departed the US, I checked the "latest" restrictions posted by TSA. After some research, it seemed that lithium batteries were suspect but, after inquiry, was told to transport in original packaging (to eliminate the possibility of the battery terminals contacting). I needed batteries for cameras and dive lights. So...I took 6 AA alkaline batteries and taped them side-to-side with masking tape, packaged AA lithium, and 2 sets of 6 AAA alkaline taped side-to-side. I put the lithium AA in the checked bag along with AA alkaline. I put AA alkaline and AAA alkaline in the carry-on bag along with the regulators/computers and clothing. Upon departure from PHL, the TSA attendant manning the carry-on scanner went ballistic when viewing my bag and immediately called for the site supervisor. The supervisor arrived and said "that's nothing but scuba gear, they're going diving." Not a word about batteries. We returned with basically the same packing regime. In CZM we were told of and shown a printed list of forbidden articles for carry-on at check-in. Batteries were listed. We decided to take our chances. Our bags were scanned and not a mention of batteries upon security scan. We continued on our journey home. I think some individuals may trigger scrutiny by their appearance, behavior or demeanor. Be smart, travel light and be polite.

I think many of us experience a lot of extra scrutiny with our carry/roll-on bags containing gear and photography supplies. I try to stay handy when leaving Lubbock in case the checked bag screener has questions. TSA rules say my pony bottle must be open but that's just stupid to allow debris to enter it, so I tape it with 2" electrical tape, ends folded back for easy removal, and that has worked well on dozens of screenings. Some of the agents do ask about my blue moisture munchers in a ziplock of Damp Rid, so I explain. I do make sure I never, ever let lawn fertilizer come in contact with my bags and gear; I've heard that golfers have a lot of problems from that kind of residue.

Traveling with batteries gets trickier as there are different rules for different kinds. "As of January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) no longer allows loose lithium batteries in checked baggage," but there are differences in lithium batteries...

There are additional rules just for larger lithium ion and lithium metal batteries. What are "Larger" lithium ion batteries? What are "Larger" lithium metal batteries? Lithium metal batteries are non-rechargeable batteries you discard once they are depleted. Larger lithium metal batteries contain over 2 grams of lithium, and are forbidden.

Most consumer lithium metal batteries such as AA, AAA, and CR-123A sizes, do not fall into the "Larger" category. Just follow the Basic rules.
Lithium ion batteries are the rechargeable batteries used in computers, cell phones, and other devices. "Larger" lithium ion batteries are rated between 100 and 300 watt-hours (8-25 g equivalent lithium content, or ELC.)

Leaving Mexico for the US is just different, and carrying spare batteries in carry/roll-on bags is just inviting trouble. You can chance it if you wish, but in discussing safer options - I wouldn't. I stick to alkaline and NiMH mostly and always stick them in checked bags, which neither Mexican security nor TSA prohibits. It does help to pack them in nifty battery holders available at Thomas Dist, Amazon, etc. See Battery Holders and Storage Cases for a nice variety and prices. I got a lot of AA/AAA holders free with NiMH purchases there. I always have a couple of AAs in a holder in my cargo pants pocket (calling them grenade pockets is discouraged around airports. ) for quick changing - came in handy at my grandson's graduation.

Some suggest bringing used alkalines home so they don't end up in local landfills, and I do recycle those at home, but I often leave them with my dive Op if he seems interested. Mau said "We like leftovers" as I gave him batteries, a coffee maker and part of a bottle of coffee liqueur. The NiMHs I want to bring home and use again & again. Going, I have the alkaline batteries still packaged in their original, retail containers - but returning, I leave them.

 

[ggunn]

So true about that last point. Last year I was flying back home to Canada from Coz. There was a guy and his wife ahead of me in the screening line. She was yelling at him and he was yelling at her. They were throwing things. They were yelling at security also. "DO.YOU.SPEAK.ENGLISH??" (Like anyone is going to admit they do at that point) 'I.WANT.YOUR.BOSS" I forget what exactly the issue was.

That technique seldom if ever works anywhere when you are dealing with folks who have the upper hand on you. As I advised my younger brother many years ago when he was having issues with our parents, when someone has you by the 8^11$, don't jump around.

 

[jd950]

It looks like he is hugging it, as tree hugging was mentioned. I don't see porn. It must be you.

Must be me. I guess I need a VACATION.

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

I think in COZ, they will confiscate batteries only if they inspect your bag and found it. I remember some guy in front of me got his bag checked after the xray because of something like a nail clipper, but whatever AA batteries they found, they also confiscated. I thought, they will take my 16 or so eneloop batteries that's in my camera case, but they dindn't search it (oddly, tat is usually the case that is searched).

On another note, when I was on my way to from NY to Quito Ecuador and transferring flights in Bogota, they had a little section to check ones bag (even though we never left the secure part of the airport) and they found my bag of 20 or so eneloop batteries. They took the whole thing. I thought, if they take that, that's that for my whole UW photo shoot. We begged them to let us have it back, they said we can keep 4, but then I brought out everything that takes AA batteries (camera, strobe, flashing strobe, (uw flashlight was in checked bag)), even telling them my DSLR takes those batteries. After a while, they did give us back everything.

The TSA did inspect my checked in luggage though and my backup computer became missing. This was one of the few times I had it checked in since we had 2 connecting flights to get to Quito (it was actually 4 flights, but the last leg could not be taken on the same day).

 

[Jax]

My wife had to give up her ankle weights when we flew out of LAX a couple of months ago. Her checked bag was at the limit so she had grabbed the weights and a couple of other things and moved them to her carry-on. This wasn't a problem when we flew out of Sacramento but on the return trip from LA it was.

Next time, tell them the ankle weights are for leg-lifting exercises while seated, to help prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis.