Extra battery for laptop?
 

I tried reading the rules on an extra laptop battery, but I can't make sense of them. Am I really allowed to take an extra battery with me in carry on? Thanks.

Some info here.

It looks as if the new rules are not targeted at laptop-size batteries, but TSA staff being what they are, there could be 'fun' for some people. :(

I can an extra battery for my MacBook Pro in my briefcase and have for two years. Never questioned except once at LHR where they looked at it briefly. Never inspected in the U.S.

I have a spare battery that fits in the modular bay of my laptop. I've carried it around for over a year now without a question about it, even in Europe. Maybe because it looks exactly like the removable CD drive, and not so much like a battery.

Yes, you are allowed to take extra lithium laptop batteries in your carry-on, but you may not check most extra lithium batteries (that are not installed in a cell phone, camera, PDA, computer, etc. - which you shouldn't check anyways).

For the definitive word, see here:

http://safetravel.dot.gov/whats_new_batteries.html

Note that this rule went into effect in the U.S. on Jan 1, 2008, so technically, the past experiences related above are not relevant, although they are also not in conflict with the new rule.

On my recent trip to London I carried two spare standard size laptop batteries and a spare camera battery. Nothing was said at LAX.

Carryon or checked? As stated, the rule applies only to checked bags. Of course, it's possible the screener just missed it.

All in my carry-on. I know the rule only limits checked, but I think the concern is over how TSA might be "interpreting" it.

I normally travel with the following and haven't been asked Boo about them at any international airport in 2006/2007, do you think I will get a closer look?

When I first bought them, I thought I would get pulled aside every time, never happened.

http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...base_sku=UPB60
http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...base_sku=upb70

These are Universal notebook batteries, most of the time I only need the 60, but the 70 has a USB port which is nice for charging the phone etc.

This is my concern as well. I generally don't trust the TSA to reliably enforce the real rules as opposed to what they think they should be.
I have to take my next trip to FRA in a couple weeks in the back which means no in-seat power for me and the need to carry extra batteries. I would appreciate commentary from those who've had recent relevant (i.e. post-1/1/08 )experiences with traveling with laptops with extra batteries in their carry-on luggage as to whether they were hassled or harrassed about their laptop batteries or had them confiscated on a whim or made it through all points unscathed.

Looks like you are limited to 2 of these universals in your carry-on and 0 in checked bags according to the DOT site.

Best bet for those concerned about these regs being applied incorrectly to carry-ons is to carry a printed copy of the DOT rules.

I carry on an extra battery all the time and never had any problems whatsoever.