Lead Acid Battery Alert

[Magic Brian]

I want to let everyone know who uses an amp can with a lead acid battery (that's what they come with) to beware of traveling with it. (or any amp with a lead acid battery)
I've been flying around the world with mine for the last 8 years as both carry on and in checked luggage and never had an issue, until the other day.
I was flying out of New Zealand and had packed my amp can in my checked luggage. A while later I heard my name paged in the airport and I was to report to the check-in desk.
When I arrived the woman told me they found a battery in my case and they needed me to go to security. I went down and they guy asked me to open my case. I took out my amp and told him what it was and what it did. He said that I needed to take the battery out so I did.
I was hoping that I could just pack it separate since I had disconnected it but no! They took it.
I told him I had been traveling with it for years and in fact had flown throughout NZ with it several times that month. He told me that they often don't catch it but that the airlines have been cracking down lately.
He even showed me a document that said the very same thing; that people have been traveling with them in the past but they have had issues with lead acid batteries exploding and catching fire.
I know I'm not the first to have this happen but I wanted everyone to know that they are really looking for them now due to new regulations so be warned.
I have heard you can get away with gel cell batteries but I don't know if that's 100% certain. The security guy told me there aren't any types of batteries of that type that are allowed on the plane.

[gav]

This 'rule' is crap. Planes probably have at least 10 sealed lead acid batteries in them. They're used to back up systems in case of main power failure. I'm pretty sure they are mis-interpreting the new law on lithium batteries.

this from the panasonic website...

'Lead Acid Batteries:

All of our lead acid batteries are unregulated by DOT for transportation by truck, rail, ocean and air transportation because they meet the requirements of 49 CFR 173.159 (d). The only transportation requirements are:

The battery must be securely packaged in such a way to prevent the possibility of short-circuiting.
The battery and the outer most packaging must be labeled "NONSPILLABLE" or "NONSPILLABLE BATTERY".
All of our lead acid batteries are unregulated for air transportation because they meet the requirements of Special Provision – "A67" as promulgated by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). They also meet the Vibration and Pressure Differential Tests of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) regulations'

[jesus]

Taxi Trouble?

Has anyone run into this battery issue flying with a Taxi or Limo between the US and Canada? Or in the US even?

[Lee Nelson]

Yeah Jeff
I got burnt by it flying Halifax to Toronto.
Shit happens

[Frisbee]

i have not ever had an issue with an amp can or limo/taxi it as carry on. you will go thru check in and then either they will just let you go or you will have to go thru the "swab test" to see if there is anything leaking or suspicious with the system. they will put the swab into a machine and either it will come up green or red.

I would suggest if they say you can not go on board with it, carry a print out from the supplier stating the type of battery, how it is approved for flying and if they have not already done it, suggest the swab test.

when I was flying back from China with a balloon artist with a rechargable air pump, they tried to confiscate it stating the battery issue, i pointed out the differences in batteries to the scanner person that this was not a liquid battery, but rather a dry cell, rechargable and showed a printout, after a minor discussion we were able to continue our journey.

If you know for a fact you are right and can prove it, you should be alright.