This Year’s Hottest Gift Banned from Airlines

This Year's Hottest Gift Banned from Airlines

Most major U.S. airlines have banned the newest technology hitting the streets: the self-balancing scooter, or “hoverboard.” These handle less modes of transportation have been banned over safety concerns regarding their electrical systems.

The airlines’ hoverboard bans came amid several reports of the devices’ batteries catching fire and exploding, in some cases causing serious damage. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commison has received at least 10 reports of fires caused by the hoverboards, a number that is increasing daily.

The battery issues have been a major headache for the companies that make hoverboards, including IO Hawk and PhunkeeDuck. These executives point the finger at the companies supplying variations of their product. They say these knockoff products are causing all the problems due to taking shortcuts to cut down on cost. IO Hawk and PhunkeeDuck’s hoverboards cost over $1,000 while models from off-brands can cost as little as $385.

Delta, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and JetBlue are among the major air carriers that have decided to ban hoverboards. Southwest, however, will still let you bring one on board.

Southwest explains that they will treat the hoverboard as a carry-on item as long as it can fit within a carry-on bag. If it is too large, they suggest it be packed in checked luggage an protected from “accidental activation.” Still, the airline is taking extra precautions, scooters with batteries larger than 160 watt-hours are not permitted on the plane, a rule that the airline has had for other electronics powered by similar batteries.

“Just out of safety precautions, I can understand where the airlines are coming from,” IO Hawk President John Soibatian said. “There isn’t a dollar amount you can put on somebody’s life. Each one of our components is tested before we put it into the marketplace. When we charge $1,800 it’s not for the logo.”

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • 12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    12 Commercial Crime Sites to Do Your Research

    Understanding crime statistics in your industry and area is crucial for making important decisions about your security budget. With so much information out there, how can you know which statistics to trust? Read Now

  • Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    Boosting Safety and Efficiency

    In alignment with the state of Mississippi’s mission of “Empowering Mississippi citizens to stay connected and engaged with their government,” Salient's CompleteView VMS is being installed throughout more than 150 state boards, commissions and agencies in order to ensure safety for thousands of constituents who access state services daily. Read Now

  • Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    Live From GSX: Post-Show Review

    This year’s Live From GSX program was a rousing success! Again, we’d like to thank our partners, and IPVideo, for working with us and letting us broadcast their solutions to the industry. You can follow our Live From GSX 2023 page to keep up with post-show developments and announcements. And if you’re interested in working with us in 2024, please don’t hesitate to ask about our Live From programs for ISC West in March or next year’s GSX. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • People Say the Funniest Things

    People Say the Funniest Things

    By all accounts, GSX version 2023 was completely successful. Apparently, there were plenty of mix-ups with the airlines and getting aircraft from the East Coast into Big D. I am all ears when I am in a gathering of people. You never know when a nugget of information might flip out. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings. 3

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles. 3