Iowa Travel Alert: TSA Bans Popular Item From Checked Bag

I love to travel. I actually rather enjoy flying, if I'm being honest. When you consider the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) is so ridiculously easy to come and go from, it takes a lot of hassle out of flying.

That said, flying comes with a few challenges, such as knowing what you can and cannot bring on the plane.

Well, bad news, the "cannot bring" list just got another item bigger...

The TSA Already Restricts a Number of Items

By now, I'd wager you know the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) restricts liquids greater than 3.4 ounces from carry-on bags.

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In case you did not know, you can pack liquids greater than 3.4 ounces in your checked baggage.

However, there's now an item you can't pack in your checked baggage.

Don't Pack This Next Time You Fly

With Real ID dominating the recent travel conversation in the U.S., you may not have heard that portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium-ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags.

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That's right, you can only bring your portable charging bank on a plane if it's with you.

Perhaps the thinking is if the battery pack overheats and catches fire, you or a fellow passenger will notice, whereas if it's in the cargo portion of the plane, no one would know until it's too late.

It's not unheard of for an external battery pack to catch fire.

Most Travelers Likely Won't Be Impacted

While it may seem difficult to keep up with what is and isn't allowed on an aircraft, my gut tells me that for this change, it won't bother most travelers.

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Most people who use a battery pack would prefer it to stay with them, rather than be packed away.

Closer to home, check out new restaurants and bars that opened this year!