Southwest Airlines Prohibits E-Cigs use On Board because of Battery?!?

[chicagobrad01]

SWA just recently sent out a memo about Electronic Cigs and the reason they're not gonna allow them is because the battery hasn't been approved for use while on board. Are you kidding me?!? Outta ALL the reasons or things they could come up with on why not to allow them they choose the battery...LAME!

Guess I should start checking every passengers electronic devices to make sure the batterys are "approved" from now on...geeesh!

I mean that's fine if they wanna say they can't be used while on board, but to have our Flight Attendants, that aren't in the know, out there saying its because the batteries aren't approved is BS. I'd laugh in my own face (I'm a Stew). The ScrewDriver uses a battery that can be found in a digital camera, a small LED flashlight (which btw a flashlight is required to be carried by all FA's while on duty), and I'm sure several other devices people use on board.

I'd like to write a formal letter to the CEO about this, but need a little help from my buds here at ECF. Any ideas on what this should include or how to approch this?

Here's a copy of the memo so you guys can see just how stupid it sounds.

Since electronic cigarettes contain a lithium battery, they are not approved for use onboard Southwest Airlines flights. Some Flight Attendants have been experiencing Customers attempting to use electronic cigarettes on flights, and we ask that you politely educate Customers on this policy.
For those of you who may not know, electronic cigarettes are a relatively new product that allows the user to experience inhaling nicotine without lighting a cigarette. Even though the device does not require a match to light it, it does contain a lithium battery and since Southwest is required to control the use of all electronic devices onboard the aircraft, we have made the decision to prohibit use of electronic cigarettes.
CFR 91.21, Portable Electronic Devices, requires air carriers to determine whether a particular PED will cause interference when operated aboard its aircraft. The responsibility for permitting passenger use of a particular PED technology lies solely with the operator. Thank you for helping us remain consistent with this policy.

[LuckySevens4U]

Maybe we could use a mod with regular AA or AAA batteries? LOL

[PTJD]

Well then, this is a bunch of BS, ya think the APC Battery back-up is also unapproved? If so, so should a lot of other Lithium Ion gadgets should be banned.

[chicagobrad01]

Not to mention the Credit Card Machines the FA's use operate on Lithium Ion Batteries, along with Laptops, Cell Phone's (which can be used in Game or Airplane Mode when In Flight), Portable DVD players, Mp3 players, them digital books. The list goes on and on!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Energizer and Duracell also now make some AA's & AAA's in Lithium.

[PTJD]

Problem solved, ya know they will come up with another excuse!

[LuckySevens4U]

Problem solved, ya know they will come up with another excuse!

[Fox3]

Fricking absurd. I'll find another airline less saturated with idiots to get where I have to go (assuming there are any .

Not only do you have to put up with space that would make a cattle car look roomy but morons who just want power over (probably remind them of tobacco sigs, something they can transfer their hate and ignorace from to be able to wave their {male body part} in you face). Disgusting...

[tokarev]

LOL The pass-throughs will get banned next. My juicybox uses ni-cad or nimh batteries, not lithium. Unfortunately it looks way too much like one of those TV show "detonators" for me to dare take it anywhere NEAR an airport!

TT33

[Jim Davis]

SWA just recently sent out a memo about Electronic Cigs and the reason they're not gonna allow them is because the battery hasn't been approved for use while on board.

A letter would be fine, but as I interpret the memo, they are banning the use of the device. They're *not* refusing to allow them on board. There's a difference there. Let's be careful what we say so they won't decide to ban them completely. If you read between the lines, they've left themselves open to possibly allow them at a future date.

[LuckySevens4U]

Yes, we want to be able to bring them with us so when we "pee" we can take a few drags. LOL I would never dream of vaping in my seat anyhow unless it was totally allowed and openly allowed. However, I want to at least bring my through security!!