Air travel has always had its rules. Now, TSA has decided to scrutinize objects that many passengers carry without thinking. If you don't adapt, you could be left grounded... or lose something expensive.
A Change That Arrives Without Warning
The announcement came on July 8. Among headlines about how it will no longer be necessary to remove your shoes at domestic checkpoints, the most important part was hidden: new restrictions for certain items. The list is short, but dangerous if you ignore it:
- Cordless beauty tools that operate with butane.
- Loose lithium batteries, meaning not installed in a device.
It doesn't matter if you depart from a large international airport or a small regional terminal. The rule is nationwide and already in effect. If the agent finds any of these items in the wrong place, there won't be second chances.
The Reason Behind the Rules
It's not a whim. In the past ten years, more than 900 fires on planes caused by lithium batteries have been documented. This year, a Boeing 757 had to divert due to a battery fire in mid-flight.
Butane tools aren't exempt either. If they're accidentally activated in the cargo hold, they can generate enough heat to start a fire out of the crew's reach.
For TSA, the risk is too high. The order is clear: these items only travel in a certain way... or they don't travel.
How You Must Carry Them
Butane curling irons and straighteners
- Allowed: one per person.
- Carry-on luggage only.
- Required: protective cover.
- Prohibited: spare cartridges.
Loose lithium batteries
- Carry-on luggage only.
- Never in checked baggage.
- If your carry-on ends up in the cargo hold due to lack of space, remove them beforehand.
Noncompliance isn't a simple "warning." You could lose the item, receive a fine, and end up on an intensive screening list for future flights.
Tips To Avoid Problems
Packing your suitcase with these rules in mind is easier than it seems:
- Store batteries in a transparent bag so you can show them without opening all your luggage.
- If you use a butane curling iron, place it at the very top of your carry-on bag with its cover on.
- Leave any gas refills at home; there are no exceptions.
- Before closing your suitcase, use the MyTSA app or the "What Can I Bring?" tool to confirm that everything is in order.
These precautions can save you a headache. A security checkpoint isn't the best time to argue with an agent or run down the hallway to save your flight.