Lifevest CO2 containers on planes?

[eternauta]

Anyone got any experience with bringing inflatable life vest (with CO2 containers) +- re-fill containers on planes these days? Any flights, but particularly to/from the US?

Due to TSA regulations they are not allowed. Neither as carry-on nor as checked baggage.

Mustang stipulates that they are allowed with the ok of the airline carrier, same says the Canadian regulator.

Wonder if anyone has pointed out the fact, that there are about 350 ´dangerous´ compressed gas cylinders integrated into 350, in fact, life vests on board all planes. Indeed they have to be there, it´s the law.....

Odd how this militant paranoia might improve flight safety infinitismally but at the same time make sure to kill the one or other sailor without a working life vests...

Flying from US to Fiji. No Mustang shop there...

Thanks

Eternauta

[Nausikaa]

Had my gas bottle taken from me on a flight from RSA to Brasil! Apparantly, gas bottles are not allowed as they are not certified for use in aircraft. Some perhaps are but most airlines just say 'njet'.

Problem arises when you get to your destination and find that there is no supplyer there or that the bottles which are available are of a different dimension.

You could just screw the gas bottle out and put it in the checked in bagage - but I would not suggest that as it would be illegal. Of course there are loads of more harmful and equally illegal gas bottles flying arround containing hair spray, shaving foam etc.

Cheers

Stephen

Yacht NAUSIKAA

[bvimatelot]

Just read to-day in Scuttlebutt that TSA have walked back and now will allow up to 2 compressed air cylinders. At this stage, all supervisors have been informed but its possible that it hasnt hit the ranks of the lowly bag checker....if you have a problem, call for the supervisor. Its still necessary however to make sure that the airline itself allows them!! Tony

[chamac]

I have had gas bottles taken off me twice. Once by Ryanair and by Aer Lingus in Italy. They were in my baggage. Got paged and I had to go to the baggage handling area with two security men and show them the bottles. They took them. I would check first and get a permit to avoid confiscation.

[Jack Tyler]

This issue is further complicated by individual airline restrictions which may be imposed. Some airlines (or airline personnel) are more accepting of putting small cannisters in checked luggage than others.

Were I planning to transport my inflatable lifevest, I'd check with the airline first, then ask for a referral to the safety authority at the airport from which I was departing and talk to them, as well.

Of course, not all bags are xrayed...so you can also take your chances.

Jack

[puremajek]

Being at the pointy end of these airborne projectiles, could allow me to shed some light for you.

The governing of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods on board aircraft throughout the world is determined by a group called IATA (International Air Transport Association) and NOT THE AIRLINES. This book is huge and covers all dangerous goods. All except a few Russian/Chinese carriers are bound by these regulations and very few carriers impose further restrictions, but that is rare as that affects their bottom dollar and we all know where this stands with the Accountants. On top of this certain government authorities then add their own state restrictions. Unfortunately for you and I, these regulations change every year.

Without boring you with finite detail, here are some guidelines. The items discussed so far in this Forum are classed into one of these areas:

1 Explosive substances and articles

2 Gases

3 Flammable liquids

4.1 Flammable solids, self-reactive substances and solid desensitized explosives

4.2 Substances liable to spontaneous combustion

4.3 Substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases

5.1 Oxidizing substances

5.2 Organic peroxides

6.1 Toxic substances

6.2 Infectious substances

7 Radioactive material

8 Corrosive substances

9 Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Originally Posted by name='Converted Post'

Wonder if anyone has pointed out the fact, that there are about 350 ´dangerous´ compressed gas cylinders integrated into 350, in fact, life vests on board all planes. Indeed they have to be there, it´s the law.....

Eternautu,

All the gasses that you elude to are all listed in the IATA Dangerous Goods Manual - Carriage of Dangerous onboard aircraft (section 2.2). With gas cylinders, the regulations state that explicit approval of the airline or aircraft operator that you are going to fly with. You will need to contact them to find out how they would like you to pack, prepare and carry these items. , their words not mine.

On board, vests actually carry two non-flammable CO2 cylinders per vest on most aircraft. Certain items are required to be onboard such as portable fire extinguishers, oxygen bottles and dry-ice (all dangerous goods) and are exempt as they form part of the aircraft manufacturer certification requirements. We can’t even carry spare units of these mentioned above, as they are then considered ‘spare’ and we have to use specialists to transport these for us called ‘Shippers’.

Some carry-on gear can be taken in limited quantities and the link below is a general overview of what most international carriers comply with (look under the ‘Non Flammable Gas Cylinders’ heading:

http://www.casa.gov.au/dg/luggage/dgtable.htm

I can understand the predicaments faced here and can only encourage anyone considering travelling with cylinders to make the phone call and change carriers if they have too. Hope this helps everyone

[Luna C]

I have had the bottles and/or the vest they were in banned at check-in even though they were FAA approved for use while flying helicopters over water while working as a helicopter pilot.

This day and age....one best not count on getting to your destination with them.

Why not just send them by UPS/FedEx?

[southpacific]

Ive found that pre contact with the airline safey divison and management has been positive and they will annotate your flight details at point of checking in and that you are permitted to fly with these type of articles. The stumbling block is as always the baggage handlers and Xray techs who are not in the loop.

I recently flew from Australia to UK with catogarised so called "dangerous" goods but with the full knowledge and permission of the airline.. on the way back .. I had multiple stops in various countries and was pulled up twice by the Xray security personnel, required to unpack, in the handling bays and go through a lengthy interrogation but after some intense discussion was permitted to travel on with the items. Next time though Ill just ship it ahead. By the way the transportation of gas containers ( scuba or such like , is permissible if completeley empty and a certificate of purging can be shown .( the container being completley free of any air/gas).

[Nausikaa]

Just to add to the confusion, I took a lifejacket to Yemen and back last year. No problems. When checking in with SAS they told me that it is THEIR airline policy to allow one gas operated lifejacket per person. No spare gas cylinders allowed.

Apparantly, different airlines have different rules. SAS, as mentioned permitted one lifejacket and, even though I changed planes and operators in Frankfurt it was SAS rules whicvh governed the entire transport.

Checking in for the return flight in Sana'a was no problem as there is hardly any form of control there.

Aye,

Stephen

Yacht NAUSIKAA