TSA just banned popular tech necessity for travel from checked luggage
This might be a soar subject.
The TSA just banned a travel essential from checked luggage following from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Portable chargers and power banks that use lithium batteries are no longer permitted in checked bags, per the guideline.
According to the new directive, lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries, including power banks and cellphone battery charging cases, must be in carry-on baggage only.
“When a carry-on bag is checked at the gate or at planeside, all spare lithium batteries and power banks must be removed from the bag and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. The battery terminals must be protected from short circuit,” the FAA said.
Almost all portable chargers and power banks use lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries, meaning most travelers transporting the nifty holiday essential will be impacted.
The new rule also covers lithium-metal and spare rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for personal electronics, such as cameras, cellphones, laptop computers, tablets, watches and calculators, as well as external battery chargers containing a lithium-ion battery.
Other items with lithium batteries that can only be in a carry-on bag include e-cigarettes and vape pens.
As the FAA explained, lithium-ion batteries pose a fire risk in the cargo hold as they are capable of overheating and undergoing a process called thermal runaway.
Thermal runaway can happen without warning, and there are multiple factors that can trigger it, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged, improperly packed or experienced manufacturing defects.
The agency stressed that flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to lithium battery fires in the cabin, and travelers should notify the crew immediately if the device is overheating, expanding, smoking or burning.
The following items must be put in carry-on luggage and removed from any checked luggage: power banks, cellphone battery charging cases, rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries, cellphone batteries, laptop batteries, external batteries and portable rechargers.
