Power bank in hold suitcase

[FlyingHighandDry]

Have dropped 13yo Dc2 off at school at 3am ready for a school ski trip.
He’s just messaged me now in a panic (suffers with anxiety) as we put his power bank in his hold luggage and not in his rucksack that will be carried on.

He’s checked the suitcase in and has now seen signs saying bags will be destroyed if they have power banks in. He is so worried.

Can any wise, more frequently travelled mumsnetters than myself let me know what will happen?

You can't put any batteries in the hold so he needs to take it out and have it in his hand luggage.

He should tell the ground staff or a teacher. Sorry didn't read properly that it was already checked in

Yes, if he has time to locate it and put it in his hand luggage he should do.

I have travelled with a forgotten about rechargeable shaver in hold luggage and no harm done though.

I've remembered another time when I got to my destination I found a power bank I hadn't meant to take with me in the side pocket of a bag that had been checked in.

I imagine if the security checks did spot something like that, they're much more likely to remove the item than destroy the entire thing.

I’ve asked him to let his teacher know and he’s about to go into full panic mode.
Says he can’t.
I’ve tried telling him that no one will tell him off but due to his anxiety even doing that is a major big deal so he’s terrified to do that!
I was so proud of him going on this trip as it was a huge deal for him.
aaaahhh.

Have also tried ringing the school mobile which is on all the paperwork and it’s switched off!

Surely they'll identify it in his suitcase and dispose of it. There will be charging points wherever he is.
Reminds me of my friend, about ten years ago, when our boys were going on a school ski trip, aged 10 - she accidentally packed a pack of cigarettes in her son's hand luggage. Called me in a panic when she realised. Told her to call school. She Rang the school to explain that they wasn't her son's. No bother - they thought it funny.
Same boy, same ski trip, never changed his pants. My friend questioned him when none of the pants were out of where she packed them in his suitcase. ie top section. Son said he couldn't find them so wore the same pair every day!
He's now a professional boxer and his mum pays a fortune for his shorts!

And yes be super proud of him for doing this trip when he has anxiety. Hope he has a great time x

My power bank always travels in hold luggage, along with any other elecrical items - I can't think of any that have batteries apart from the camera though.

I don't know what kind of checks happen to hold luggage, but I don't imagine they are individually x-ray screened like hand luggage (where someone scrutinises each image). There would be so many instances of 'I wonder what that might be' which can't be checked that it just wouldn't work.

I flew yesterday with a power bank in my bag (travelled hand luggage only) and the security staff seemed surprised to see it.

At an Indian airport i was escorted to my bag which had a power bank in it they found. Just had to take it out, it was scanned and i got it back. Flew into India with it in the hold bag no problem!

The chances are that nothing will happen, honestly. The reason that power banks should be in hand luggage is that they are capable of combusting, which (should it ever happen) can be dealt with mid-flight in the cabin but not in the hold.

That said I'm sure there are thousands of people check them in every day, either through lack of knowledge; forgetfulness or just lack of care for guidelines.

You are right that suitcases aren't scanned and searched as throughly as hand luggage.

If it's already been checked there's nothing you or his teacher can do. It'll either get picked up by security or it won't. Probably won't.

Speaking as ex-crew could I make a plea that despite some of the above anecdotes and regardless of individual experiences please don't be too casual with rechargable batteries.

The training films/presentations we used to see on what these things can do are somewhat sobering. This really is one instance where the rules are in place for good reason.

As far as @FlyingHighandDry 's question goes some hold baggage may well get scanned/X-rayed. What happens to the power pack if it is spotted is down to the airport authorities.

Thanks everyone.
I am just waiting to hear from him once he has landed.
A big learning curve for him even if all is ok.
I don't know why he moved it from his hand luggage to hold in the first place!

Thanks to all that replied yesterday.
Dc finally text last night to say he had his suitcase but the powerbank had been removed.
He’s very relieved his suitcase wasn’t destroyed. (As am I!)
Big lesson learned.

No response from the school mobile though which is a little disappointing!

Sorry I only just saw this but would've said my DH had to be searched when we went on a plane in August as he had a power bank. All his bag had to be searched. Glad your son is sorted x