Apparently, there have been a number of fires in the past few years in the cargo holds of airplanes--fires caused by lithium batteries. Consequently, it looks like the DOT will begin limiting these batteries to carry-on baggage or to being inserted in items like computers, cameras, or cell phones that stay with the passenger.

I'm not sure what this means for us, but I think that beginning this summer we should start putting extra batteries in our carry-on bags, rather than in checked luggage or hardcases.

Just a heads up.

In the charger, they could short and cause a fire.  The problem with these batteries is that they discharge so quickly that they overheat when the contacts are shorted.  That's why I always store them with plastic caps over the contacts and separate from any electrical conductors.

The DOT is now saying that they won't allow the batteries in checked luggage at all.

When I went to the USA two years ago, AA asked me to have my checked luggage x-rayed and hand-inspected.  I had a recharger with batteries inside.  They asked me to remove the batteries from the recharger.  It was ok to have them in the checked luggage, but the batteries should not be in the recharger.  Does anyoen know why this?

Regards,
Adelaide