Lithium Ion Batteries

[KinnyLee]

So I've purchased a couple of Surefire products over a course of a couple of months and I've noticed that they had a sticker that said Lithium Ion batteries not permitted in commerical passenger flight or something along that line. So does that mean I need to take the batteries out of my surefire in my carry on bag when I fly? Does that mean I have to leave them home and buy a new set of batteries from my destination? Just trying to understand. Thanks.

[HighVelocity]

If Lithium Ion batteries are not permitted on planes then we have a major problem. The majority of Laptop computers have LI batteries.

That sticker is bull. I have never seen this posted anywhere.

[stevie_d_64]

Maybe its because the batteries go in a "scary" flashlight...

Hey, it seemed to work before for them...Who knows...

[KinnyLee]

I have no clue. I just don't want any hassle from the TSA when I go to Vegas this december. Or anywhere else by plane for that matter.

[SRVA]

My Surefire 6p has been in my briefcase every time I have flown for the past five years with no problem. About one time in five a curious TSA inspector will take it out an look at it.

[KinnyLee]

My Surefire 6p has been in my briefcase every time I have flown for the past five years with no problem. About one time in five a curious TSA inspector will take it out an look at it.

That eased my mind a lot. Thanks! :D

[jimlongley]

I am a TSA screener and I carry one of several Surefire or Streamlight flashlights through the checkpoint many times per day and no one has ever said anything beyond "WOW! That's bright."

I have never noticed any restriction on Li batteries, such as what are commonly used in Surefire etc, but they are different from Li-ion batteries, such as used in laptops and cell phones.

The list of prohibited items is here: http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrar ... 6_2005.pdf
and I don't see any batteries on it except for "spillable" ones.

I have to wonder if the sticker is either for a different country, or if it refers to shipping a large quantity.

[KinnyLee]

I am a TSA screener and I carry one of several Surefire or Streamlight flashlights through the checkpoint many times per day and no one has ever said anything beyond "WOW! That's bright."

I have never noticed any restriction on Li batteries, such as what are commonly used in Surefire etc, but they are different from Li-ion batteries, such as used in laptops and cell phones.

The list of prohibited items is here: http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrar ... 6_2005.pdf
and I don't see any batteries on it except for "spillable" ones.

I have to wonder if the sticker is either for a different country, or if it refers to shipping a large quantity.

I'm not sure. Maybe I've mis-interpreted the sticker. I shall take a pic of the sticker in the near future. :)

[stevie_d_64]

Maybe my cynical side is showing (very annoying sometimes, I know), but I always wondered what would actually happen IF you deliberately disposed of a "battery" in a fire...

So my brother and I did so, many, many years ago...Took a dead D cell out of a flashlight, and we had a fire going in our campground on our property...Threw it in and ran...(We were pretty dumb back then...)

Nothing happened...???

So anyway, I think it has to do with the fear of batteries, in a fire, on an aircraft...Like thats going to be a big issue if there is a fire...

Now oxygen generators are another thing...I think that was a subject of review in another airline crash a few years ago...

But hey, thats just me...If the flashlight is intrinsically safe, OSHA and some other international standards publications have some standards on intrinsically safe electrical devices...I would think your fine...But then again, try to explaining that to someone...Or not...

[yerasimos]

So I've purchased a couple of Surefire products over a course of a couple of months and I've noticed that they had a sticker that said Lithium Ion batteries not permitted in commerical passenger flight or something along that line. So does that mean I need to take the batteries out of my surefire in my carry on bag when I fly? Does that mean I have to leave them home and buy a new set of batteries from my destination? Just trying to understand. Thanks.

Very recently (last week) I was able to move a 6V Surefire light in my carry-on luggage without any problem. (No, it did not have one of those TIDs on it.)

In addition, I transported a larger-size Surefire device in the same case as my handguns (checked luggage). I had seen the decal/warning you mentioned, and had the exact same concern. As a precaution, I removed the batteries from the device, and isolated/packaged the batteries in plastic bags. This way 1) the device could not be accidentally turned on via rough handling and (easily) overheat, and 2) the batteries could not possibly be incorporated into an unlucky circuit and discharge, cause sparks, etc.

I am certain what I did is/was perfectly safe, and had no problems when the luggage was inspected (yes, I'm referring to the hard-shell case with the flashlight, batteries, knives, guns, ammo . . . 8) )

[TexasSIG]

I carry a Surefire Aviator in my carry on laptop bag, and have been carrying it for the last 2 years with no issues. I fly 10-15 times a month.

As mentioned, most laptop, camcorder and digital camera batteries are the same type.