We're traveling to Guadeloupe next week for a one week sailing charter. We'd like to bring our inflatable life jackets. We're traveling on American Airlines from New York with a stopover in Puerto Rico. Their website (see the attached link) lists inflatable PFD's as an allowable item. We called the airline and they couldn't find any information - we actually had to give the service rep the URL that we found. Just curious to see if anybody traveled in the past few weeks on American to the Carribean with an auto inflatable PFD? Thanks.
airlines and inflatable life jackets
- Thread starter mjb
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Luck of the draw
Since each airport facility has its own administrator and staff you will find some inconsistencies in treatment of such items. I would expect trouble as the pressuriszed CO2 cartridges are considered a HAZMAT by DHS in DOD talk. I would hate to have some of my equipment confiscated by some airports staff in some country. For this reason it might be worth renting similar equipment when you get there.
Since each airport facility has its own administrator and staff you will find some inconsistencies in treatment of such items. I would expect trouble as the pressuriszed CO2 cartridges are considered a HAZMAT by DHS in DOD talk. I would hate to have some of my equipment confiscated by some airports staff in some country. For this reason it might be worth renting similar equipment when you get there.
unhook and check it...
Unhook the cartridge, and pack the whole thing in your checked luggage... done this in the post 911 world and works out ok. Worst case is they make you chuck the cartridges. B
Unhook the cartridge, and pack the whole thing in your checked luggage... done this in the post 911 world and works out ok. Worst case is they make you chuck the cartridges. B
Offshore Passage Opportunities says this
you can take 'em, but the local TSA may not know it. Here'e a quote from the OPP website with links to TSA quote Here's the precise TSA wording and links to two places where it can be found on their website: "Note: There is a compressed gas cylinder exception for both carry-on and checked baggage that allows 2 compressed gas cylinders fitted into a self-inflating life-jacket and 2 spare cartridges with the approval of the aircraft operator." www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1188.xml www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1188.xml end quote
you can take 'em, but the local TSA may not know it. Here'e a quote from the OPP website with links to TSA quote Here's the precise TSA wording and links to two places where it can be found on their website: "Note: There is a compressed gas cylinder exception for both carry-on and checked baggage that allows 2 compressed gas cylinders fitted into a self-inflating life-jacket and 2 spare cartridges with the approval of the aircraft operator." www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1188.xml www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1188.xml end quote
Two weeks ago we went on American Airlines to Mexico. We checked an inflatable life jacket with cartridge. No problem. However, the carryon both going and coming was strange. They wouldn't allow a tube of ben gay going and coming home they checked everyone's carryon both upon going through the gate and again just prior to boarding. This resulted in lots of items which people purchased after going through the gate such as $3.50 for small water bottles being discarded. Also the new passport check upon entering the US was a scene. They would not allow my friend and myself to stand together when our passports were checked and was told to take my hands off the high counter were he asked the passport to be placed. The customs officers seemed disgruntled with the whole procedure.
CO2 cartridges
I am currently a supervisor with TSA and can tell you that it is NOT TSA that sets the policy concerning the CO2 cartridges. It is each individual airline. Some allow two in the vest and two spares while others do not allow any. Check with your airline for their policy and be sure that you get a written approval from them. When you go through security screening ask to speak to a supervisor and show them the paperwork from the airline. Currently, Continental does not allow any, United allows them, American and Delta do not allow them. All TSA does is enforce the airline rules. Hope that helps. Paul s/v Lady Sara Hunter Legend 37
I am currently a supervisor with TSA and can tell you that it is NOT TSA that sets the policy concerning the CO2 cartridges. It is each individual airline. Some allow two in the vest and two spares while others do not allow any. Check with your airline for their policy and be sure that you get a written approval from them. When you go through security screening ask to speak to a supervisor and show them the paperwork from the airline. Currently, Continental does not allow any, United allows them, American and Delta do not allow them. All TSA does is enforce the airline rules. Hope that helps. Paul s/v Lady Sara Hunter Legend 37
John...
...that was because he is an insecure idiot and that is his way of showing you how much power he has! Jack Hart
...that was because he is an insecure idiot and that is his way of showing you how much power he has! Jack Hart
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