Date: 201502
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: SEA.Airport, WA
Aircraft: Large Transport
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Human factors: Training / Qualification; Time Pressure; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Second reporter function: Flight Attendant In Charge
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Hazardous Material Violation; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: Aircraft In Service At Gate
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Manuals
Primary problem: Manuals

Narrative: Just near time of departure one passenger indicated he had lithium camera batteries in his carry on roller bag that there was no room for on the plane. The A flight attendant correctly noted that restrictions apply to this. She knew there was a restriction; but not what it was. She asked the agents to resolve the situation. The agents; nor their supervisor did not have an understanding of the restrictions. My copilot found that our manuals did not contain this information. Since there seemed to be an impasse; I decided to go and see if I could help. The flight attendant found their manual. As I read the page it seemed to me that a passenger could have two batteries installed; and two that were spares but protected; on board. I also read they could have two protected spares in a checked bag. (His bag was going to be checked.) I had him carry on his two cameras; two spares with covers on board and pack two spares with covers in his gate checked bag. According to his count this left one battery left over that was left with the agents to be taken to the baggage area to be held. The next day the A flight attendant told me I had mis-read the restrictions and that would be reflected in her report. I should have left the issue to the ground staff to resolve.


Second narrative: Bottom line...passenger had boarded last...with a suitcase full of cameras...and lithium batteries...he was told to stow it onboard; I told him I would hold it and look into where we would put it...I contacted the [manual].  I looked up hazardous/approved lithium non ionizing batteries in my manual; the agents (3) were out on the jetway near the bag...I paged for the pax to come up...I asked him to open and identify to us what exactly he had in there....he had at least 7 LARGE lithium batteries and a few cameras.He was allowed to bring on 2 cameras with the lithium batteries installed; one in each pocket of his jacket; 2 in a plastic bag (not installed) to into the cargo; and a bag to leave behind the remaining batteries. I was not comfortable with the batteries in the cargo uninstalled....a ground crc/ops/cargo/lead agent was brought up to the jet way...the Captain; First Officer; ground personnel and 3 agents made these determinations based on their interpretation of my manual. With our Flight Attendant training and studies of inflight fires re: lithium batteries...this did not ring right....Please have all carrier personnel who are relating to passengers and their carry ons with approved hazardous materials....csa's; cargo; maintenance; ops; crc; pilots; everyone in a need to know position to have approved hazardous items re: Lithium non -ionizing batteries accepted FLOW CHART/re: onboard stowage and cargo specifics...we all need to be on the SAME PAGE with the SAME INFO!THANK YOU!


Synopsis: A flight crew tried to help a Flight Attendant solve a dilemma posed by a passenger wishing to bring aboard a number of lithium batteries. The flight attendant Manual had a chart which provided guidance but unfortunately; they misinterpreted the chart.