Fedex - Lithium batteries
I just carried about 75 lbs. of these batteries from Asia to the U.S. I've heard of guys carrying much larger shipments. I’m not real happy about that but I don’t think we really have the option to refuse at this point.
I’d like some opinions on our current procedures (or lack of as the case may be) and observations from the line.
We currently ID these batteries as Misc-9 and they’re considered IDG (for the non-purple: they don’t have to be accessible to the crew).
Unless you dig into the position summaries and actually look at all your Misc-9 DG, you’ll never even know you’re carrying a pallet of L-I batteries.
Since they’re IDG, I guess we can carry them anywhere on the aircraft (belly or main deck).
The current issue of Air Ops has a small article that basically says they’re working on addressing battery shipments (the check’s in the mail) and the FSS can put out a fire in a shipment of laptops with L-I batteries. It doesn’t specific main deck FSS or lower cargo FSS, so I assume both. It implies that the FSS will not put out a pallet of batteries. - Should we have some kind of procedure in place to notify us when we’re carrying pallets of L-I batteries?
- If you knew you had batteries loaded in a position that indicated a fire, would you do something different from the same situation involving other cargo?
- They can’t be mixed with other ADG but should they be required to be ADG (accessible)?
Finally (as I get up on the soapbox) – I’m amazed we’re carrying these thing given their history. The fact that we do just because current regulations allow it doesn’t seem to mesh with our new focus on safety, blue threat, etc. Are we really making that much money carrying L-I batteries that it’s worth the loss of an aircraft and crew?
Last edited by Adlerdriver; 12-12-2011 at 08:06 AM.