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AA Rechargeable Batteries


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#16 ScubaTurtle

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Posted 24 October 2013 - 02:51 PM

Looking for some advice on traveling with rechargeable batteries and if anyone has had any difficulty with TSA recently. (I haven't but want to prepare if I need to for this trip)

With my new primary light now being a canister light using an NiMH battery pack and not individual batteries I'll be taking less of the AAs that I purchased but still a decent amount none-the less. All of my AAs will be NiMH batteries. The battery pack in my canister light from Dive Rite is NiMH but is not labeled as such. It's just generically wrapped with white shrink wrap. Also has anyone had any issues with TSA calling the canister a weapon?

So my plan that I hope would work is to take the canister light in my carry on because I would hate to not have it if baggage was lost/delayed. I would also then be carrying in my backpack (personal item) the other 16-20 AA NiMH batteries for my camera and backup dive light. Has anyone had any issues with TSA telling them they can't bring the items on carry-on luggage?

Looking at their website in the prohibited items list I didn't any non-spillable batteries listed. I thought Li-ION were restricted based on total size of them.
http://www.tsa.gov/t...rohibited-items

Edited by ScubaTurtle, 24 October 2013 - 02:51 PM.


#17 scubaski

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Posted 24 October 2013 - 06:14 PM

TSA basically looking for anything that maybe a weapon or used in a weapon. 50% of the time they want to see inside my strobe for the 4 -AA size Lithuim batteries that to some look like gun bullets. I keep 10-AA back up batteries, 10-AAA batteries , watch size batteries for computers and assorted small lights in a qt. size bag like you have your gels in. I place gels, batteries bag, and other stuff in the TSA bins and sometimes they still want to do the sniff test and unpack and re-x-ray again. I don't object but keep a eye on the agent. Lithium batteries need to be in a packed in a approved carrier when in checked bag and can not accidentally short out or turn on in some device and cause a fire.
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#18 ScubaTurtle

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Posted 25 October 2013 - 08:52 AM

TSA basically looking for anything that maybe a weapon or used in a weapon. 50% of the time they want to see inside my strobe for the 4 -AA size Lithuim batteries that to some look like gun bullets. I keep 10-AA back up batteries, 10-AAA batteries , watch size batteries for computers and assorted small lights in a qt. size bag like you have your gels in. I place gels, batteries bag, and other stuff in the TSA bins and sometimes they still want to do the sniff test and unpack and re-x-ray again. I don't object but keep a eye on the agent. Lithium batteries need to be in a packed in a approved carrier when in checked bag and can not accidentally short out or turn on in some device and cause a fire.

Thanks for the feedback ScubaSki. I've definitely got some carriers for the AAs that I'll be taking. If anyone needs a reference to where I got them or what they look like here's a link.
http://www.amazon.co...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's good to hear that at least if everything is packed well they may for the most part leave me alone. I'll try to remember to take out all the batteries ahead of time so they can take a look at those. I almost always plan on them wanting to inspect my carry-on for scuba trips because of how much stuff is packed in there. It's all either electronics, regulators, misc dive accessories and other misc stuff so I think it's difficult for them to see through it with the x-ray machines.


Appreciate your advice and experience.

#19 scubaski

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Posted 25 October 2013 - 11:34 AM

Yea- they don't like wires and electronic and timers. Just figure some extra time and go with the flow...
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#20 ScubaTurtle

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Posted 25 October 2013 - 01:07 PM

Yea- they don't like wires and electronic and timers. Just figure some extra time and go with the flow...

Agree with you. I was definitely planning on extra time. I'm going to check with the airlines to see how far ahead I can check in for a flight so that I maximize my time through security if something should occur. I'll be going with the flow. Don't need any extra scrutiny than I know we'll already get with all the gear we have.

#21 Scubatooth

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Posted 28 October 2013 - 01:53 PM

I carry all sorts of electronics when I fly, I fly with batteries, chargers, strobes, cords etc a lot and mainly in my carry-on. Shouldnt be a issue but make sure you carefully pack everything so that you dont have a short in your bag. My batteries are packed in 4 cell clear containers so I can easily verify whats what

Theft from baggage has exponentially increased since TSA has come to be. It mainly come from where and the types of people TSA hires including known thieves and felons http://boardingarea....security-badge/

The problem with TSA is them flat out lying (and they've been some dozy's ... and been called on it), changing or making up the rules as they go along. I speak from experience as I had a supervisor who claimed to be ex special forces claim my OMS Vega Flashlight was a weapon and was going to confiscate it ...Oh sorry TSA likes to say "Voluntarily Surrender" but under duress thats Bull and they know it. I stood my ground and kept my flashlight but not before filing a complaint with Miami-Dade police.

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#22 Greg@ihpil

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Posted 29 October 2013 - 06:09 AM

Dan,
Good for you,glad you stood your ground.Like everything else the government has their hands in.It's bonifide chaos . I still don't understand how they went back to approving a item that had been banned for so long.I think it was a small knife or something like that..?

I carry all sorts of electronics when I fly, I fly with batteries, chargers, strobes, cords etc a lot and mainly in my carry-on. Shouldnt be a issue but make sure you carefully pack everything so that you dont have a short in your bag. My batteries are packed in 4 cell clear containers so I can easily verify whats what

Theft from baggage has exponentially increased since TSA has come to be. It mainly come from where and the types of people TSA hires including known thieves and felons http://boardingarea....security-badge/

The problem with TSA is them flat out lying (and they've been some dozy's ... and been called on it), changing or making up the rules as they go along. I speak from experience as I had a supervisor who claimed to be ex special forces claim my OMS Vega Flashlight was a weapon and was going to confiscate it ...Oh sorry TSA likes to say "Voluntarily Surrender" but under duress thats Bull and they know it. I stood my ground and kept my flashlight but not before filing a complaint with Miami-Dade police.


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#23 ScubaTurtle

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Posted 29 October 2013 - 09:28 AM

..................................I stood my ground and kept my flashlight but not before filing a complaint with Miami-Dade police.

Thanks ScubaTooth, I'll keep it in mind but also ensure that I'm polite. I plan on having documentation with me as well for what's listed on the TSA website as restricted and documents on the items I'm carrying.




#24 Scubatooth

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Posted 31 October 2013 - 07:58 PM

Dan,
Good for you,glad you stood your ground.Like everything else the government has their hands in.It's bonifide chaos . I still don't understand how they went back to approving a item that had been banned for so long.I think it was a small knife or something like that..?


Greg it was pocket knives they were going to allow but then a few groups (flight attendants union) screamed bloody murder and John pissy pistole decided against it. Its stupid in that there are so many examples of when a passenger stepping out of line other passengers on the flight ( not cabin crew or air marshals) taking control of the situation and neutralized the threat. TSA things pocket knives are a threat but yet my 5" fiskar surgically sharp scissors or trauma shears that cut quarters in half are perfectly fine. TSAs (lack) of logic makes my head hurt. Pocket knives are not a threat, they are a tool and a tool most people in this country have had on them everyday most of there life. Heck I know I have a pocket knife on my all the time on duty or off.

Another 911 will never happen again because of passengers stepping in and fighting back ... however you will never hear TSA admit that nor that its a waste of 8+ billion dollars a year for a theater act that actually makes us less safe. The two biggest things that improved air travel safety after 911 was installation of hardened cockpit doors and passengers nor crews cooperating with hijackers the rest has been a waste of time, money and peoples patience.

..................................I stood my ground and kept my flashlight but not before filing a complaint with Miami-Dade police.

Thanks ScubaTooth, I'll keep it in mind but also ensure that I'm polite. I plan on having documentation with me as well for what's listed on the TSA website as restricted and documents on the items I'm carrying.


Be Prepared for them to say " The website is out of date" as I have heard that lie so many times I cant help but laugh in their face. You want to see them dance even further ask them to prove or show your the regulation as they will either say its "SSI" which is not even a valid security classification in the US govt and other parts of the government laugh at TSAs use of "SSI" As to them mentioning "Adobe Acrobat" in certain documents is SSI.

Just remind them "Secret laws" in the US are illegal and they can be held liable in federal court for there actions. TSA employees are 1) not officers despite what they think or say...let alone law enforcement despite the cop like uniforms they are govt clerks and 2) they hold no security clearances.

If they cant show you in writing the regulation/rule they are making it up... plain and simple.

When Im traveling with alot of electronics I carry a folio of documentation from the manufacture on items including transportation recommendations and requirements as well as customs forms (don't remember which one as I don't have the folio with me) for high value items (lens, cameras, housings, computers, etc) that will travel out of the country and return. This is so I don't get hit with import duties and taxes going into other countries or coming back into the US.

FWIW

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#25 ScubaTurtle

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Posted 01 November 2013 - 04:18 PM

Dan,
Good for you,glad you stood your ground.Like everything else the government has their hands in.It's bonifide chaos . I still don't understand how they went back to approving a item that had been banned for so long.I think it was a small knife or something like that..?


Greg it was pocket knives they were going to allow but then a few groups (flight attendants union) screamed bloody murder and John pissy pistole decided against it. Its stupid in that there are so many examples of when a passenger stepping out of line other passengers on the flight ( not cabin crew or air marshals) taking control of the situation and neutralized the threat. TSA things pocket knives are a threat but yet my 5" fiskar surgically sharp scissors or trauma shears that cut quarters in half are perfectly fine. TSAs (lack) of logic makes my head hurt. Pocket knives are not a threat, they are a tool and a tool most people in this country have had on them everyday most of there life. Heck I know I have a pocket knife on my all the time on duty or off.

Another 911 will never happen again because of passengers stepping in and fighting back ... however you will never hear TSA admit that nor that its a waste of 8+ billion dollars a year for a theater act that actually makes us less safe. The two biggest things that improved air travel safety after 911 was installation of hardened cockpit doors and passengers nor crews cooperating with hijackers the rest has been a waste of time, money and peoples patience.

..................................I stood my ground and kept my flashlight but not before filing a complaint with Miami-Dade police.

Thanks ScubaTooth, I'll keep it in mind but also ensure that I'm polite. I plan on having documentation with me as well for what's listed on the TSA website as restricted and documents on the items I'm carrying.


Be Prepared for them to say " The website is out of date" as I have heard that lie so many times I cant help but laugh in their face. You want to see them dance even further ask them to prove or show your the regulation as they will either say its "SSI" which is not even a valid security classification in the US govt and other parts of the government laugh at TSAs use of "SSI" As to them mentioning "Adobe Acrobat" in certain documents is SSI.

Just remind them "Secret laws" in the US are illegal and they can be held liable in federal court for there actions. TSA employees are 1) not officers despite what they think or say...let alone law enforcement despite the cop like uniforms they are govt clerks and 2) they hold no security clearances.

If they cant show you in writing the regulation/rule they are making it up... plain and simple.

When Im traveling with alot of electronics I carry a folio of documentation from the manufacture on items including transportation recommendations and requirements as well as customs forms (don't remember which one as I don't have the folio with me) for high value items (lens, cameras, housings, computers, etc) that will travel out of the country and return. This is so I don't get hit with import duties and taxes going into other countries or coming back into the US.
FWIW

Scubatooth, That's some fantastic advice. I did figure that they might say the website is outdated. I'll be prepared to stand my ground (politely) and tell them they need to prove the rule they are enforcing. I did know the facts about the TSA agents but as you said most do not. I'll take all of what you said and remember it.

That's fantastic advice for the electronics and getting some customs forms ahead of time so that they can't try to hit me up with tons of fees. If I owned it when I left the country with it I can bring it back in. With all the stuff I've got now that's a good call and with how many countries we will be traveling through it's even more valuable to have that documented.




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