- Joined
- May 8, 2015
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- 546
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- Age
- 58
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Website
- dattagroover.com
I fly often. Since last month, I have flown 6 times, domestically and internationally. In that time, I have seen the same thing in the U.S., Australia, and Japan.
Every time I check in they ask me if I have any batteries in my luggage, the same way they used to ask if I packed my own luggage. Even Alkaline, button batteries, etc. count. I need to tell them if they are in the original packaging (in the case of anything but lithium) or are installed in the device they are accompanying in.
Flying from Tokyo to Osaka the other day, as my wife and I were going through security to get on our flight, I heard my name called. I went back to the check in counter, where a TSA equivalent took me to an X-ray screening machine in the back. They were very interested in my Solo, which I had fortunately removed all spare batteries from. I had to unpack it and show they which part was the battery, and that it was firmly installed in the Solo. They made me remove ALL spare batteries (even little ones) that were in my suitcases. First time that ever happened to me.
Fortunately, I had my photo utility vest (which I use for carrying photo and video gear where my carry-on weight is limited), so I could still get on my flight (In Australia and Japan they have a 7.5kg limit on carry on baggage - and they weigh it at the gate).
So if you travel with your Solo, make sure all spare batteries are in your carry-on, as they are checking more carefully now. I will also leave extra time for check-in from now on. Fortunately in Tokyo I already had spare time, but that all got eaten up like magic.
Every time I check in they ask me if I have any batteries in my luggage, the same way they used to ask if I packed my own luggage. Even Alkaline, button batteries, etc. count. I need to tell them if they are in the original packaging (in the case of anything but lithium) or are installed in the device they are accompanying in.
Flying from Tokyo to Osaka the other day, as my wife and I were going through security to get on our flight, I heard my name called. I went back to the check in counter, where a TSA equivalent took me to an X-ray screening machine in the back. They were very interested in my Solo, which I had fortunately removed all spare batteries from. I had to unpack it and show they which part was the battery, and that it was firmly installed in the Solo. They made me remove ALL spare batteries (even little ones) that were in my suitcases. First time that ever happened to me.
Fortunately, I had my photo utility vest (which I use for carrying photo and video gear where my carry-on weight is limited), so I could still get on my flight (In Australia and Japan they have a 7.5kg limit on carry on baggage - and they weigh it at the gate).
So if you travel with your Solo, make sure all spare batteries are in your carry-on, as they are checking more carefully now. I will also leave extra time for check-in from now on. Fortunately in Tokyo I already had spare time, but that all got eaten up like magic.