Headed to CES? Don't pack your extra Li-Ion batteries!

First it was the nail clippers, then the liquids, now it's rechargeable Lithium batteries. As of January 1, the US Department of Transportation is limiting loose Lithium-Ion batteries in your carry-on luggage, and restricting them altogether in checked luggage. I bet that's been a bummer for the hordes of people flying out for the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week. And forget about packing an extra battery for your laptop, cell phone, and camera--you're limited to only two loose batteries in your carry-on. At least the restriction isn't a terrorist threat this time around--according to the DOT press release, the reason for the new restrictions is to reduce the risk of Lithium battery fires (who knew there was such a threat?). It's a drag for folks with big DSLRs who want to pack spare batteries in checked luggage so they don't have to lug them around in their camera bags. For more specifics on the restrictions, see the DOT's Safe Travel site.

So tell me, did any of you who already flew out to CES get stopped? (I'm escaping the throngs this year, but will be headed to Vegas for PMA later this month, since most camera companies save their big releases for that photo-specific show.)

(Via DP Review)