Lithium Ion Battery Explodes in TSA Checkpoint Lane, Sends Travelers Fleeing
Travelers at Orlando International Airport (MCO) were left scrambling from a TSA checkpoint security lane after smoke started emanating from a passenger's bag. On Friday, the smoke coming from the bag caused an evacuation of the airport, as well as flight delays and cancellations.
Video shows passengers waiting in a TSA security lane when there was reportedly a loud noise that came from a passenger's bag. Not long after, smoke started coming from the bag. Upon seeing the commotion, a TSA officer grabbed the bag and brought it to a less-crowded area — of course, not knowing what could have been the cause.
After the airport had been evacuated, the bag was searched. Inside, officials found a lithium ion camera battery that had exploded, causing the bag to catch fire.
According to the Greater Orlando International Aviation Authority CEO Phil Brown, the passenger "immediately dropped the bag and those around them moved away from it." A TSA official, Ricado Perez, then "arrived quickly and moved the bag farther away" from those in the crowded airport terminal. Perez, at the time, thought the bag contained an explosive device. However, inside was just a camera battery.
Camera batteries like the one that exploded are legal for passengers to bring on flights. The FAA allows lithium ion batteries on board as long as they're less than 100 watt hours and in carry-on bags.
That being said, it's no surprise that lithium ion batteries are susceptible to explosions. Earlier this year, the US implemented an electronics ban, requiring passengers to put large electronic devices in their checked luggage. At the time, the policy raised concerns about the hazard, specifically if something exploded mid-flight in the cargo hold. The FAA had a differing opinion in October, however, when it announced that it's urging airlines to ban the checking of large electronics due to the risk of them catching fire.
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month