This was mentioned in John’s Tech5 report last night.
Not sure if this is being overly cautious or a good idea given the number of exploding laptop and cell phone stories over the past few years. Rather than single out products from specific vendors with problems (* cough * Sony * cough *), this is a blanket ruling.
Safe Travel
Effective January 1, 2008, the following rules apply to the spare lithium batteries you carry with you in case the battery in a device runs low:* Spare batteries are the batteries you carry separately from the devices they power. When batteries are installed in a device, they are not considered spare batteries.
* You may not pack a spare lithium battery in your checked baggage
* You may bring spare lithium batteries with you in carry-on baggage – see our spare battery tips and how-to sections to find out how to pack spare batteries safely!
* Even though we recommend carrying your devices with you in carry-on baggage as well, if you must bring one in checked baggage, you may check it with the batteries installed.
Other websites (engadget?) are reporting that this is lithium metal batteries, NOT the ones for your laptop and camera.
I see. You can check a device with a battery installed, but you can’t check a spare battery. Which one is more likely to burn?
This is seriously getting ridiculous. The 3oz limit on liquids was bad enough. With all of these stupid restrictions, it is going to get to the point where it makes sense to drive across the border into Mexico or Canada and take your flight from there; even if it is to another destination in the US.
Typical.
Batteries are outlawed.
While illegal aliens are welcomed.
Which is more likely to harm you?