Flying to CES? Don't check those spare lithium ion batteries

A new Federal rule limiting the type of batteries that can be checked in baggage went into effect on New Year's Day. The rule states that "spare" lithium ion batteries cannot be stored in checked bags during flights. They must be carried on instead and there's some limits there as well. The keyword is "spare" battery. If the battery is installed in a device and that device is stored in a checked bag, you're fine.

I bring this up because the Canon GL2 we travel with uses lithium ion batteries and I usually bring an extra. Now, I always carry the camera on since I can't lock my luggage, but check the batteries and extra cables to help reduce my carry-on's weight. Never mind that I was told by a TSA employee that it would be better to put batteries in my checked bags because the screeners always single out my gear bag after it passes through the X-Ray machine, usually because of the batteries.

Now the spares are going back in my carry on.

If you're heading out on the road to CES this coming week or for any travel, make sure you don't pack those spare batteries in your checked luggage or they could be missing when you arrive at your destination.