Traveling in Robust Style – Review of Pelican Progear Elite Luggage

[neuroanatomist]

The batteries were missing. Not cheap items. The TSA note claimed the batteries were loose, even thought they had custom cut areas in the foam.

I suspect they meant a different kind of 'loose'. Not sure of the battery type, but it's a violation of regs to carry Li-based batteries in checked luggage if they're 'loose' as in not installed in the device they power. You can check a laptop or a camcorder with the battery installed, but if you have spare batteries they must be carried on.

From the TSA website:

As of January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) no longer allows loose lithium batteries in checked baggage.

Learn more at http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html.

IIRC, that regulation was precipitated by a fire in a cargo hold caused by a loose Li-ion battery.

Sorry to say it, but I suspect the TSA was doing the right thing in this case.

[M_Six]

Maybe so, but this is a well traveled group and they've never had this happen before. I would think with lights that you'd be safer traveling with the batteries separated. No chance of the light turning on then. But as you said, carry-on might have been the only legit way to transport them.