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from the Is-your-luggage-checked...-or-plaid? dept.
Most U.S. airlines set to limit use of 'smart bags'
"Smart bags, also known as smart luggage, have become more popular over the last few months, and they are expected to be a popular gift this holiday season," said American Airlines. "However, smart bags contain lithium battery power banks, which pose a risk when they are placed in the cargo hold of an aircraft."
The bags generally have USB ports where customers can recharge their phones and other devices. They might also have GPS to track the bag's location in case it gets lost, electronic locks and a weight scale to prevent overpacking. Some even [have] a motor to propel the bags so that they can double as a scooter or just follow their owner around the airport.
Airlines are worried that the batteries could cause a fire in the cargo hold that would go undetected. Most of the bans will allow fliers to check the bags if the battery can be removed and carried by the passenger in the cabin. But many of the bags already on the market have batteries that can't be removed.
American was the first U.S. carrier to announce a new policy Friday to require passengers checking smart luggage to remove the lithium ion batteries. If the bag will be traveling in the cabin, the battery can remain installed as long as it is powered off. Now Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines have announced similar policies set to take effect on Jan. 15. Both airlines will [be] requiring that even carry on bags must have the batteries that removed.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday December 08 2017, @05:02PM (1 child)
Yeah, how dare they endanger the safety of 100s of people because they are so insecure about their fucking bags. Seriously, are you fucking serious? WTF do you expect them to do? Go into secure area to get their stupid luggage because some "GPS" thing? Oh wait, it won't even work inside an airport sorting system anyway, so WTF?
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Sulla on Friday December 08 2017, @06:22PM
I guess you are just looking for something to be pissed about. Regardless of whether its lithium or nicad the airline isn't going to want to deal with customers telling them where they think the bag is. I have had a couple of situations where we picked up family in Portland or Seattle after they got stuck due to weather, the luggage gets lost and the airline tells us to just keep waiting. In two different cases we ended up waiting around six hours to be told it was actually at a different airport and had to drive 6 hours home in the snow at night. Knowing where my shit is will tell me I can go ahead and leave early because the airline doesn't have any idea and doesn't really want to help.
The issue of not shipping lithium batteries seems reasonable given those 'hoverboards' being such shit, but I don't think the airline really wants you knowing anyways. These are the same airlines that believe cell phones and tablets being on ruins their communication even though most of the world has no issue with it in older planes.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam