FAA proposes that electronics is banned from checked luggage on all international flights
Oct 20, 2017
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently proposed that the laptop ban should expand to all international flights. This time, it won’t refer to the laptops, cameras and other devices in the carry-on, but in the checked luggage. Reportedly, the United Nations will consider the proposal in the upcoming weeks. If it gets accepted, you may not be able to put large electronic devices in your checked bags, no matter where from or where to you’re traveling.
According to the paper published last month, the agency is concerned about the lithium-ion batteries found in laptops, cameras and other electronic devices. They conducted the tests which showed that these batteries tend to overheat in the luggage. When packed with aerosol canisters, they can cause an explosion and become a threat to the entire plane.
FAA conducted 10 tests for the explosion in combination with the laptop battery. They included an aerosol can of dry shampoo, a 6 oz. bottle of nail polish remover, 2 oz. bottle of hand sanitizer and a 16 oz. bottle of 70% ethyl rubbing alcohol in several different scenarios. In all cases, there was a fire. But, only one of them (dry shampoo) caused the explosion which the standard airplane’s fire suppression systems couldn’t handle.
After the test results, FAA proposed that the electronics ban should go international and adopt a worldwide standard. They proposed it to the UN, and as Gizmodo reports, the International Civil Aviation Organization will be discussing the matter next week. And even if the committee accepts the proposal, the participating countries will still need to adopt it individually.
Although the tests have shown that Li-ion batteries are dangerous in combination with certain liquids, how come the incidents like this have been so extremely rare in real life? Well, FAA presumes that it’s simply because most passengers bring their large electronic devices in the carry-on, while the bottles of liquid are packed in the checked luggage. But I guess that after the initial ban of electronic devices from the carry-on, people began putting them in the checked luggage.
The electronics ban that caused a lot of stir has eventually been lifted. Instead, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented additional safety measures at some U.S. airports. They allow you to bring the electronic devices in the carry-on, but each of them is scanned separately. After the latest findings, FAA proposes some alternatives to packing the electronic gear in the checked luggage:
- Allowing [electronic devices] in checked bags that do not contain any dangerous good
- Varying the checked bag packing requirement based upon the aircraft type and its fire suppression system
- Directing airport security screening personnel to identify commonly carried items in checked baggage that were packed with [electronic devices] to enable removal
- Allowing airlines to collect [electronic devices] for carriage in the cargo compartment for transport in fire containment packaging
Now, if the new proposal is accepted, I guess that we’ll have a case of the electronics ban reverse from the initial one. Instead of the electronic devices being banned from the carry-on, it will be banned from the checked luggage, at least if you bring the dry shampoo, nail polish remover or alcohol. After all the fuss with the electronics ban in the past couple of months, I’m really curious to know what they’ll think of next. Until then, keep your cameras and laptops with you in the carry-on, and leave the dry shampoo and other stuff in the checked luggage, and you’re good to go.
[via Gizmodo]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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28 responses to “FAA proposes that electronics is banned from checked luggage on all international flights”
Wow they are really trying to kill the flight indestry
Who checks in their electronics?
Andrea, you seriously check in laptops, smartphones, tablets and cameras?? Wow… I always carry on all photogear, laptops and phone is always
Anyways in my pocket. After seeing how checked in luggage is treated, socks and shirts are the only thing I check in?
Seriously. Checking in anything you value is asking for it to be destroyed, stolen, or damaged.
Sometimes, on full flights, you don’t have a choice.
I wouldn’t check any of that stuff but I could see how frequent fliers would, especially if all their electronics are essentially company issued.
I never did, nor ever would, check my electronics anyway. Particularly camera gear. It seems like a pretty sensible move, provided that they still allow passengers to carry their devices, cameras, etc.
But in some cases they want to ban anything larger than a cell phone in carry-ons.
How many planes have been brought down recently? How many people have been killed by a gun owning lunatic? Great priorities ‘Merica!
There is a fallacy in the US that only one safety issue should be addressed at a time.
I expect complete ban on any electronics, no matter the size or weight. Both check-in and carry-on.
So put laptops where?
That’s stupid. They propose to ban laptop as carry on not that long ago, they now try to ban them as checked?
Ban any electronics, no matter size and weight, from any luggage, both check-in and carry-on, and have your peace of mind.
so what about business people who need their laptops etc…?
Is this just for the Hold or carry on luggage as well ?
So pretty much no photographers can travel on assignment unless they own their own bizjet?
Borrow or rent a gear kit at your destination… easy peasy.
Equipment rental is not always available in many areas.
In the history of aviation, how many occurrences have there been of accidental fires or explosions caused by electronic equipment in the checked in luggage?
FAA are bunch of idiots, eitherway I always carryon my electronics and if they try to stop me I will just charge back the cc and never fly that airline again.
Wtf !! By this time next year they will ban everything ! U wont be able to travel with any F☆☆king luggage !!!
Old news, already rescinded.
Soooo… No carry on electronics and no checked electronics?!?!… Wait, let me guess… It’s all a setup so that those who need to carry larger electronics (especially for business purposes), will pre-pay to do so?… Basically, not so much about security as it is about profits…
What a waste of time and money all to reverse decisions.
Lisa Ritchie mom I thought you might want to know since you fly international.
I wouldn’t put my laptop as checked baggage anyway.
You can still carry it on
Does a photo vest filled with gear count as carry-on?
Ban humans on planes, that will reduce the chance of any harm. I asked TSA personnel what the regulation is this week, even they started to laugh. Not their habit to do that. So I think this is really out of control.