Commercial Fixed Wing
Confusion; Distraction; Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure
As we were loading the transfer bags into the rear of the aircraft; I noticed that one of them had a sticker on it warning of lithium batteries inside.  I held them off on the side of the belt loader and notified my supervisor.  My supervisor and trainee came out to the gate; and I explained the situation to him.  He went aboard and spoke with the passenger in question; and was told that there were batteries in the suitcase; but that they were for a cordless drill.  He then told me that they were okay to load; so I loaded them and closed the pit door.  I then went to a phone and spoke with a Dangerous Goods specialist; and she informed me that any lithium batteries over two (2) grams in weight may be boarded in carry on baggage only.  I returned planeside; told the captain what she had said; and pulled the one bag with the warning sticker on it off of the aircraft.  I called the supervisor back to the gate; and had him retrieve the passenger from onboard; and then meet me at the bottom of the jetway stairs.  We had the passenger remove the two lithium batteries; at which point he informed us that there was a third battery in the other suitcase; and it was in fact installed in its drill.  We retrieved that bag and had him remove the battery from the drill; and then gave him all three batteries in two plastic bags to take on board as carry-on.  He was very apologetic; and I explained to him not only the trouble with lithium batteries; but also with any batteries installed in powered tools in the cargo hold.  I then reboarded the bags; informed the captain of all the pertinent facts; and closed out the trip.
A Ramp Service Agent loading transfer cargo noted a lithium battery label and after removing them discovered a total of three had flown in. They were removed; then placed in the cabin with the passenger.