Update me on the battery rules!

[auto]

Hopefully, the flashlight, camera, strobes, and other batteries make it. Leaving tomorrow.

 

[gt2003]

Interesting thread! Flew from Oklahoma to Coz October/November 2017. If I remember correctly, new batteries in lights as well as an 8 pack of standard C size batteries in checked bags with no problem on the way over. However, coming back the batteries in the dive lights were allowed but the extra, unopened 8-pack was confiscated. Will recheck battery rules in a few months to ensure I'm on the right track...coming AND going!

 

[gt2003]

On the way TO Mexico you put your batteries in a carry-on. I put each one in a ziploc and then put all the ziplocks into a plastic case in my carryon.

On your way FROM mexico you put your batteries into the security guy's pocket. Seriously, the only time I've had them take batteries is if the batteries are new and in the retail packaging still. If the batteries are open/used then they have not given me a hard time.

@kelemvor , Any idea the issue with the retail packaged batteries? I got an 8-pack of c-sized batteries jacked by security coming back from Coz last November???

 

[KeithG]

@kelemvor , Any idea the issue with the retail packaged batteries? I got an 8-pack of c-sized batteries jacked by security coming back from Coz last November???

Sounds like the "no spare batteries in checked luggage" rule?

Generally installed batteries are okay in checked, spare batteries must in in carryon.

 

[gstrek]

Sounds like the "no spare batteries in checked luggage" rule?

Generally installed batteries are okay in checked, spare batteries must in in carryon.

Maybe I just got lucky, having returned from Coz a couple weeks ago. I had spare lithium batteries as well as lights and cameras with lithium batteries place in my carry on bag. All AA spare batteries as well as CR2032 spares were in a plastic case in a zip-loc in my check on bag. No problems and I also verified this at the check in desk just in case.

Nothing confiscated this year.

 

[Rred]

Carriage rules for batteries differ to alkaline cells and lithium metal primary cells (like the CR2032) and differ AGAIN for lithium-ion cells, like the rechargeables in a dive light. I've never heard of someone confiscating retail alkaline batteries, it sounds like some bully in a cheap uniform got himself a cheap source of new batteries--illegally.

Lithium-ion cells and lithium metal cells are also treated differently depending on whether they are installed in a device, or "shipped" separately from it.

And all the rules keep changing.

But the alkaline cells? being confiscated? I think charges need to be filed. Either the guy is a thief, or he really doesn't know what is allowed to fly--and that's even worse.

 

[DFDubb]

But the alkaline cells? being confiscated? I think charges need to be filed. Either the guy is a thief, or he really doesn't know what is allowed to fly--and that's even worse.

Good luck with that.

 

[Rred]

The only question of luck, is whether their supervisor has to document # of complaints before the union (whoever) will quietly allow the employee in question to be fired. The TSA routinely fires some 500 baggage handlers a year for theft. The number of "inspectors" that are fired, harder to find.

But if no one complains, nothing will be done.

I don't know if the inspector for the US-inbound flight was TSA or otherwise, but every agency has similar problems and procedures.

 

[imoto]

I had an unopened 8 pack of c size alkaline batteries confiscated a few years ago from my carry-on leaving Cozumel. They threw the package in their can. I even told them I would put them in my dive light but they wouldn't let me do that. Should have just gave them to the dive op I was using.

 

[ReefHound]

I think I'll just take my chances with putting spares in checked bags.