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New Rules May Raise Cost of Buying Gadgets Online

Posted by timothy on from the in-their-infinite-wisdom dept.

ericatcw writes "Buying your next laptop or smartphone online could suddenly get a lot more expensive if a little-known US Department of Transportation proposal to tighten rules around the shipment of small, Lithium-Ion battery-powered devices by air goes through, says an industry group opposing the move. The changes, designed primarily to reduce the risk from Lithium-Ion batteries, would also forbid air travelers from carrying spare alkaline or NiMH batteries in their checked-in luggage, according to the head of the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association. The proposal is under review until March 12. It can be viewed and commented upon by members of the public."

3 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. Ban crying babies . . . and their parents . . . by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 3, Funny

    . . . I find them much more annoying than exploding Lithium Ion batteries . . .

    --
    Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
  2. Re:Blame XKCD for this one by PopeRatzo · · Score: 4, Funny

    Am I the only one who finds the women in XKCD cartoons so damn sexy?

    I've always liked slim women.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  3. Re:Ban crying babies . . . and their parents . . . by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Funny

    If it screams, stop it from screaming.

    Come on guys. Use your Geek fu. This isn't hard:

    Got batteries with accessible conductors - use duct tape to cover them.
    Got annoying, noisy children or adults - use duct tape to cover them.
    Got a terrorist trying to blow up the plane - tape 'em to the seat with ... duct tape.
    Just give out a roll to each flight attendant and you're golden. Nothing hard about this at all.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!