Travel restrictions and Ikelite strobe!

[bob321]

We just returned from a week in Bonaire. In the past, I have always carried my regs/computers and camera with strobe in my carryon roller bag. After checking bags and proceeding to security, I was informed by TSA agent that I could no longer carry strobe in cabin and it had to be checked. It was too late to recall checked luggage and I was able to check my carryon after removing the regs/computers. We tore apart a travel pillow and wrapped strobe in it and a sweatshirt. It arrived safely. However, I wanted to warn others who may not be so lucky.

 

[akirawut]

Did they explain the restriction? Curious as to what the reason is?

 

[aquajon]

seems wierd, did that happen in Bonaire or in the states? we had no problem last yr. and i thought with the lithium ion batteries you did not want those in checked luggage, forget the reason but read a warning about it somewhere..

 

[bob321]

It was in US, Cleveland to be exact. They (TSA) did not explain the restriction, only that it was "a security measure."

 

[bob321]

Again, I got luck in that my strobe was safe when it arrived. I could have packed it even better and been more at ease had I known about the new regulation before arriving at the metal detectors.

 

[bob321]

This is a new restriction within the last month. FYI.

 

[MX727]

Just carried a topside (Nikon SB-800) flash through Denver. No problem. I even took it out of my bag and placed it in the tray, whereupon, I opted out of the AIT scanner, which meant the agent hand inspected the trays. There is no way that they didn't know that the flash was there.

Furthermore, there is no mention of this restriction on the TSA website. Sounds like someone in CLE has gone rogue.

bob321, do you have any source for the new restriction?

 

[Thiad]

I wonder if they were flipped out about the batteries? I've heard of that happening - concerns over the fire risk, but when you think about all the batteries that go through the scanners on a daily basis, it doesn't make much sense.

 

[Thalassamania]

You are allowed one larger lithium ion battery installed in a device, plus up to 2 spare larger lithium ion batteries. These are in addition to any smaller lithium ion batteries. For smaller lithium ion batteries, just follow the Basic rules.
Lithium ion batteries rated over 300 watt-hours (25 g ELC) are forbidden.

 

[Thiad]

That's good gouge. I've come very close to throwing small batteries in my luggage and now, I won't.

On a recent flight from PHX to LAX, a gentleman boarded the plane and promptly started puffing on one of the "electronic cigarettes". About a dozen or so people stopped the boarding process to talk to him about his cigarette. After about 5 minutes of this, the pilot came out and told him to put it away. He, of course, wanted to argue telling the pilot that he it was sold with the promise of using it aboard an airplane. The pilot cited cheap batteries that could catch on fire. It wasn't the first time I'd heard the battery / fire connection, but it was about the most amusing. I've never seen someone so close to getting thrown off a plane.