gopbroek
Contributor
I looked into this awhile back. The TSA / DOT are very concerned about extra Lithium batteries as they burn at very high temperature when they internally short (remember the 787 fleet grounding last year). Here is the info from the TSA website:
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
In equipment, OK, out of equipment and in checked luggage, not allowed. The idea being is that if a battery shorts out in carry-on luggage it can be accessed and dealt with as opposed to the cargo hold which has no access in flight.
Mexico got the same warning but does it backwards, no loose Lithium batteries in carry-on but OK in checked luggage. Plus an extra level, since the airports are run by private contractors who take things a little too literally and are very concerned about covering there butt, in Cozumel the contract security does not differentiate between Lithium and non-Lithium batteries, no loose batteries in carry-ons. But you can take lots in the checked luggage.
Not sure which is the better scenario, half way across the Gulf of Mexico: a fire in the cargo hold or Achmed (the not dead yet terrorist) having access to a bunch Lithium batteries to construct an incendiary device.
Side note: I tried an el-cheapo Chinese dive light a couple months back. It flooded due to poor design and the Li-Ion battery cooked off. It was in my BCD pocket and I didnt realize it but it generated enough heat, under water, to melt the plastic housing and the pocket of my BCD.
Its pretty simple: US boarded flights, in carry-on. Mexico boarded flights, in checked luggage. Same airline and airplane both ways.
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
In equipment, OK, out of equipment and in checked luggage, not allowed. The idea being is that if a battery shorts out in carry-on luggage it can be accessed and dealt with as opposed to the cargo hold which has no access in flight.
Mexico got the same warning but does it backwards, no loose Lithium batteries in carry-on but OK in checked luggage. Plus an extra level, since the airports are run by private contractors who take things a little too literally and are very concerned about covering there butt, in Cozumel the contract security does not differentiate between Lithium and non-Lithium batteries, no loose batteries in carry-ons. But you can take lots in the checked luggage.
Not sure which is the better scenario, half way across the Gulf of Mexico: a fire in the cargo hold or Achmed (the not dead yet terrorist) having access to a bunch Lithium batteries to construct an incendiary device.
Side note: I tried an el-cheapo Chinese dive light a couple months back. It flooded due to poor design and the Li-Ion battery cooked off. It was in my BCD pocket and I didnt realize it but it generated enough heat, under water, to melt the plastic housing and the pocket of my BCD.
Its pretty simple: US boarded flights, in carry-on. Mexico boarded flights, in checked luggage. Same airline and airplane both ways.
