I suspect that the real reason for TSA's measures is this: to make air travel so uncomfortable that even a suicide bomber wouldn't want to go through the hassle.

Paul

I guess that recent report by Harvard means nothing to the TSA. If safety is the issue, the possibility of the battery exploding, why is it ok for it to explode in your carry-on but not in your checked bag? I happen to think it would be better to explode in the belly of the plan than directly above the heads of passengers, but that's just me.

People need to hold the TSA accountable for their ridiculous actions. We are all for better security. However I am not for silly, ridiculous, pointless measures. Why do I have to take my shoes off? Why can I only have a small ziplock baggie of 3oz-sized liquids? Why can't I take a bottle of water through security?

Hell, if I wanted to sneak something on a plane I'd not use my shoes, I'd use my belt or something similar. If there was some limit with the quantity of liquid I'd simply bring my terrorist buddy on the flight and combine our two baggies of lotions into our super bomb.

Their measures do nothing but make it more difficult for law abiding travelers.

LD

@MarkC: It still appears (from both the TSA site and AP articles) that all loose lithiums are banned from checked luggage, but can be brough in carry-on. You're right, however, that Lithium Metal batteries are going to be tough to bring along.

therevan

Most of the bans are on Lithium Metal batteries, not Lithium Ion. Most laptops these days use Li-Ion not Lithium Metal. Its the News Media that's really going to hate this, their cameras use Lithium Metal...

MarkC

Only very high capacity battery (like used for professional video cameras like Betacam) will be consider, not the small battery for cell-phone or digital camera.

mariobucolo

@LD: This is yet another example of "Security Theater", where security is merely theatrical and not meaningful.

EdGriebel

I've had TSA disassemble my robot that I had a competition for two days later and my luggage came a day late because of it too so I'm not a fan of TSA.
Note that the ban seems to only limit spares so you can get some on. In spite, people should bring car batteries with inverters, p.s. don't try.

TheMadMidget

@PAUL: ROTFL

bjhanifin

Religious fanatics are pretty impatient and unreasonable people. Paul's right, there's no way a suicide bomber would be able to put up with the hassle, not without a brain full of Ritalin.

stui

Your unpraise of our safety measures is double-plus ungood for the peace and security of all citizens. Some helpful people will come to your homes soon to re-educate you, and you will understand how perfect are these measures.

nyc_live

And the kabuki security show continues...

HeartBurnKid

Calm Down, Big Brother. We all know that Freedom is Slavery...

ZaxtonBooks

@LD: This isn't a new policy by the TSA, it's a new policy by the FAA and DOT. Fire is the major concern. It's a lot easier to see and put out a fire in the passenger cabin (where people are) than in the cargo hold (where no one can see it).

blaisepascal