Originally posted by: TitanDiddly
The TSA doesn't go by the rules.
For example, earlier this year I flew back from CA to MA with a stop in Phoenix. I had a sealed lead acid battery connected to an auto adapter to power my laptop. Sealed Lead Acid batteries (SLAs) are allowed on onboard aircraft with no restrictions as stated in 49 CFR 173.159, subsection D. Actually there are a few restrictions: Must be protected from short circuit(mine was) securely packaged(mine was), and able to withstand a vibration and pressure test, as explained in 49 CFR 173.159 subsection D. If a battery passes those tests, it can be labeled as Nonspillable SLA. Mine was.
I took it through the LAX TSA security check got flagged for inspection, the battery issue was specifically addressed, and passed/allowed to be on board in the cabin. However, when we stopped in Phoenix, somebody spotted the zip cable which I used to make the connection from the battery. Normal zip cable is polarity marked with one conductor red, the other black. Somebody spotted the red wire, and as we all know, red wire = bomb. So they called in the TSA, upwards of 10 inspection personell, 6 adminitrators, four police officers, and two bomb-sniffing dogs, all of which determined that it was, in fact, not a bomb, therefore shattering the 'fact' that red wire = bomb. However, they couldn't have held up all those passengers on the full plane for more than an hour without something to show for it- so they told me that it was a wet battery(which it's not, as I explained above, it is exempt from that status and special requirements), confiscated it, and put it in the cargo bay with an ungodly amount of packaging.
I was told that the punishment for this 'crime' is up to $250k in fines and 5 years in FPMITAP, but since they were feeling generous, they'd let it go this time. Now, because of the Phoenix TSA's incompetence and pride, I will be flagged for inspection for boarding flights for the rest of my life.
Thanks TSA, for the safety you've provided. Not a week goes by the I don't hear a news story about you harassing people- I mean, apprehending terrorists.
When was the last time that the TSA actually caught someone trying to pull off some terrorist act?
BTW:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin...RT=173&SECTION=159&YEAR=1999&TYPE=TEXT
That's the relevant regulation.
(d) A nonspillable wet electric storage battery is excepted from all
other requirements of this subchapter under the following conditions:
(1) The battery must be protected against short circuits and
securely packaged;
(2) For batteries manufactured after September 30, 1995, the battery
and the outer packaging must be plainly and durably marked
``NONSPILLABLE'' or ``NONSPILLABLE BATTERY''; and
(3) The battery must be capable of withstanding the following two
tests, without leakage of battery fluid from the battery:
(i) Vibration test. The battery must be rigidly clamped to the
platform of a vibration machine, and a simple harmonic motion having an
amplitude of 0.8 mm (0.03 inches), with a 1.6 mm (0.063 inches) maximum
total excursion must be applied. The frequency must be varied at the
rate of 1 Hz/min between the limits of 10 Hz to 55 Hz. The entire range
of frequencies and return must be traversed in 95 plus-minus 5 minutes
for each mounting position (direction of vibrator) of the battery. The
battery must be tested in three mutually perpendicular positions (to
include testing with fill openings and vents, if any, in an inverted
position) for equal time periods.
(ii) Pressure differential test. Following the vibration test, the
battery must be stored for six hours at 24 deg.C plus-minus 4 deg.C
(75 deg.F plus-minus 7 deg.F) while subjected to a pressure
differential of at least 88 kPa (13 psi). The battery must be tested in
three mutually perpendicular positions (to include testing with fill
openings and vents, if any, in an inverted position) for at least six
hours in each position.
