New 2009 Li-ion battery rules for air travelers

[TimKennelly]

Link supplied by fellow Cassie user Peter Houghton that I thought was worth passing on for those planning to fly this year.

http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/72156

[KeithWiggers]

Thanks for posting the website Tim. I was rather suprised at at the "new" rules, since I made three international flights starting late Dec. 31 and ending Jan. 2, a 4th on Feb.8 and two more to return home on March 10 (total of 6) and was never asked about, nor did I see or hear any mention of, Li-ion batteries. I usually carry three batteries for the camcorder in my carry on, but this time I put the heaviest one in the checked luggage. Even though the capacities of the batteries are low enough that they are OK to fly with, after reading the new rules, I am surprised that there was never any mention of them.

However, the customs folks in Ethiopia wanted to hold the GL2 ransom until I got a permit from some government office. They said since it is a 3CCD camera, "by the rules" it is a professioanal camera and needed a permit (that I learned later would have cost $100, AND time to obtain). We stalled a bit by trying to find a "higher" authority and explaining that I am only a hobbiest videographer and do not sell videos (they replied with "rules are rules"). When we turned back to these two custom officails (who were legitmate offiicals), they were no where in sight, and since the exit door to the great outdoors was only a few steps away, my wife and I exited quickly and joined our local pickup person. We felt like fugitives until we left the airport grounds, but our "escape" was clean. I asked the customs folks why there was not any information posted on their country's web site about video cameras. Who knows why. I did learn that professional filming crews are often taken by surprise also and do have to pay the fee. That is the first time we have had that experience. The rest of the trip went quite well.

Keith

[PaulBusta]

WOW Keith, that sounds like some trip. Hope I never have to go there.

[chucke]

Keith...Missed you at the MGT this year...still filming humming birds and other rare wildlife?

Chuck

[KeithWiggers]

Hi Chuck.

I was sorry to miss seeing you and and everyone else (as well as all of the interesting discussion topics) at MGT again this year. We were still on our trip.

Yes, we are still filming wildlife. We have had some really good luck on the last couple of trips with both birds and mammals. Last year I was able to film (in the wild) one of the rarest (and has to be one of the "cutest") mammals on the planet. Even researchers have a hard time finding Red Pandas. I was able to get about 10 minutes of video of one. On this trip I was able to film another "dream for" mammal . There are only about 700 Walia Ibex (small goat like animals, the males have thick long scimitar shaped horns) left in the wild. I followed several up and over a ridge at 14,000 feet in northern Ethiopia.

Now, if I can just get all of this edited. I don't need a faster machine, I need a faster operator!

Keith