New Rules for Traveling with Batteries

It looks like somebody from the TSA has noticed all of the stories about batteries exploding and decided to do something about it. Of course, this being the TSA, “something” apparently means “introduce unnecessarily complex and bureaucratic policies that will mystify the average person.” Basically, the rules are thus: you can carry on spare batteries, but not check them. Except when you have too many batteries, where “too many” is determined by -- wait for it -- the number of grams of lithium content in your batteries. You can check batteries when they're installed, though, because why make things clear-cut?

Now, they do sort of try to make it clear that the vast majority of consumer-grade batteries are just fine, probably. Below, an excerpt from a not-too-distant interview before the law TSA:

Before the [Security Checkpoint] sits a gatekeeper. To this gatekeeper comes a man from the country who asks to gain entry into the [Security Checkpoint]. But the gatekeeper says that he cannot grant him entry at the moment. The man thinks about it and then asks if he will be allowed to come in later on. “It is possible,” says the gatekeeper, “but not now.”

We know, going straight to Kafka when complaining about bureaucracy is cliché, but he is the master. Happy new year, everybody, we're happy to ring it in with crazy new laws!

Read: Safe Travel via Matthew Miller