(Lithium) Batteries can pose fire risk to planes (9 Fires since '05)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2007-03-05-batteries-planes_N.htm

A rash of fires on planes has spurred the government to plan new restrictions on how airline passengers may carry lithium batteries used to power laptop computers and cellphones.

The Department of Transportation, which already bars bulk shipments of some lithium batteries on passenger planes, expects to propose more restrictions later this year, said Bob Richard of the DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

While the agency has no immediate plans to ban the batteries from carry-on luggage, he said, the risks of batteries in airplane cabins are being studied. Restrictions on carrying the batteries in checked items are possible, Richard said.

"We recognize that the American public wants to be able to carry their batteries and electronic equipment aboard aircraft, but we have to weigh the safety issues," he said. "Any fire aboard an aircraft is unacceptable."

Fire safety officials, airline pilots and consumer groups are pushing for new rules on the batteries. At least nine fires involving lithium batteries have happened on airplanes or in cargo destined for planes since 2005, according to federal safety records reviewed by USA TODAY. None of the fires caused serious injuries.


Firefighters battle a blaze onboard a UPS cargo plane, Feb. 8, 2006, at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating if the lithium batteries that were among the cargo were responsible for the fire.

[skids]

1. Unfortunately, the current restrictions...

...and probably the new ones will too, don't seem to make an exception for the newer, safe, Lithium Phosphate based cells.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. More plans to harass and inconvenience airline travellers

You will soon be forced to put laptops and other electronic devices into checked baggage. UNLOCKED checked baggage, as current regulations require that your bags be open for inspection at all times.

Yeah, right. I'm going to fly when I have to put my $3000 laptop where any baggage handler can easily steal it. Thanks, but I'll drive.

[nodehopper]

3. can't drive across the atlantic, unfortunately :(

[TechBear_Seattle]

4. If travelers refused to put up with this kind of shit, things would change

Unfortunately, no one is willing to take a stand.

[RamboLiberal]

8. Actually this could be a bigger danger to us than the stupid

liquid thing. Fires aboard planes can easily become killers. Valujet crash in Everglades from cargo hold fire. Swiss Air off Canada because of in cabin fire. And I remember a case from the 70's where over half the passengers were killed by a cabin fire because there was a delay getting a plane on the ground with a cabin fire. (Cincinatti or Kentucky near Cincinatti I believe).

[northzax]

9. this regulation brought to you by the good people at FedEx

which is how I got my laptop across the atlantic last summer when the ban was in effect for the UK.

[Coventina]

5. Actually, from what I understand from the story, you would have to carry them on.

The story seems more concerned with things catching fire in the cargo hold.

At least if it catches fire in the cabin, someone will notice it right away.

As someone who is planning on going to Hawaii for work in a few months, this strikes me as a GOOD thing. I sure don't want a cargo fire in my plane in the middle of the Pacific.

[RamboLiberal]

7. Wrong - actually they probably won't let you put in checked baggage

Fire in a cargo hold would be the more catastrophic event since as far as I understand most cargo holds do not have fire supression systems. They'd want you to have that lithium battery in the cabin where if it burst in to flame at least the fire could be fought by the crew with fire extinguishers.

[Solo_in_MD]

6. For years lithium batteries were banned aboard USN ships as well

until their numbers became overwhelming

[KamaAina]

10. So, let me see if I've got this straight...

they won't let you carry it on until you whip it out of its case and boot it up, so's they can be sure it isn't a bomb, thereby holding up the entire line -- and now they won't let you check it, either? What are you supposed to do? Strap it to a carrier pigeon?!