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posted by martyb on Friday December 08 2017, @03:51PM   Printer-friendly
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.


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  • (Score: 2) by richtopia on Friday December 08 2017, @11:15PM (1 child)

    by richtopia (3160) on Friday December 08 2017, @11:15PM (#607501) Homepage Journal

    I suspect the real reason is handling customers when gate checking luggage. The airline wants to get people on the aeroplane as fast as possible, and if someone has to gate check luggage the airline does not want the customer to say "no: this bag contains a battery and MUST fly in the passenger compartment".

    I also suspect the GPS is useless for most of the luggage's life. The baggage handling is always in the bowels of the airport, so I doubt it can get a useful GPS signal.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 09 2017, @07:52PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 09 2017, @07:52PM (#607768)

    I also suspect the GPS is useless for most of the luggage's life. The baggage handling is always in the bowels of the airport, so I doubt it can get a useful GPS signal.

    You're right. In fact I've never seen an airport where they don't taxi the plane inside the main building before unloading the luggage. /sarcasm (If you couldn't tell)

    These should at least be able to give an airport level of location accuracy, hopefully even be able to tell you what terminal building they are in. Luggage gets unloaded from the plane and then taken into the building, the "smart luggage" should be able to get a GPS lock during that period and report its location. The GPS would likely be useless indoors, but if your airline has lost your luggage wouldn't you like to be able to confirm it is at least in the same airport as you are?