http://wtop.com/travel/2015/10/faa-airline-passengers-shouldnt-pack-extra-batteries/
The rules are that Li-on’s are OK in checked baggage or carry-on as long as they are installed in the device using them. I think there’s a limit on how many, can’t recall that. I just flew to OH and back for vacation and checked baggage had 3 lights w/cells in place. All were locked out or had an isolating insulator in them. All were placed in the center of the bag where they’d be isolated and well-padded. All were in their own Ziplock bag. My trusty E09 was on the keyring in my pocket, one guy asked what it was as he looked at the lens end (DUH!) Carry-on was my laptop in it’s bag with an incan Solitaire in one pen-loop. Where the concern is (and most of the reported problems) is with loose cells, which we know has to be avoided. Probably best to stick those in a cheap locked-out host to stay within regulations.
It’s the people who do not understand Li-on safety that are the problem, and sadly they are the lowest common denominator so that’s where the rules will be aimed for. The airlines themselves can introduce rules regarding what they will carry and where. The day may come where all Li-on must be in carry-on but it’s not here yet
Phil
Here’s the FAA alert page (all safety alerts for operators):
Here’s the most recent one mentioned above:
Here’s an earlier, related one:
https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/safo/all_safos/media/2015/SAFO15003.pdf
Subject: Fire Risk of Electronic Cigarettes
This SAFO alerts operators to recent incidents involving e-cigarettes in checked baggage …
I’ll just buy an ultra cheap 4 or 6 cell add-your-own-batteries power pack. Add plastic isolator disks and it’s a li-ion carry case. Yet it should pass as a device with installed li-ion batteries.
I will be traveling soon and what I will end up buying is an extra battery pack for my laptop!
Iam looking at flying from Arizona to Virginia ad I was asking the same question
Unless things have drastically changed that’s not needed at all. I’ve never had problems carrying on spare 18650’s in plastic battery cases. And everything I’ve read so far doesn’t say that spares aren’t allowed to be carried on.
My last trip was June/July this year so things might have changed but I haven’t seen anything to lead me to believe so.
Sometimes these ‘alerts’ bring the intended reaction and sometimes over-reaction, so better to check ahead with your airline and allow time to explain where you’re not doing anything wrong and that your cells are packed away very, very safely. In reading the details on FAA/PackSafe it seems that a decent cell holder sealed in a plastic bag will be fine, but you need to remember that the interpretation of rules is up to the TSA inspectors until standards are set, and they may be more paranoid than knowledgeable. Always best to err on the safe side with regulations.
Phil