I will be catching a plane to S. California to help a guy bring a boat up the coast. I'll be bringing my own inflatable pfd. Does anybody know if these are allowed on as carry-on, or do I have to check it?
pfd's on airplanes?
- Thread starter John
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I think they are allowed in either but you must remove the CO2 cartridge first. And I think you will not be able to bring any CO2(new) cartridges so plan on buying them when you get there.
Another option is to ship it via UPS.
But always check here first:
http://www.tsa.gov/index.shtm
Another option is to ship it via UPS.
But always check here first:
http://www.tsa.gov/index.shtm
Actually, the TSA has allowed them, but whether you can bring them aboard is up to the individual airline...and even then it can be a crap shoot as to whether you'll be allowed to bring it aboard, since the individual TSA or gate agents can deny it without any reprecussions...
I called TSA. They said that the regs allow a pfd to be brought on or checked as long as the CO2 cartridge is not over a certain size. I forget the size, but it sounds like the pfd cartridges are under that limit. The problem is that I don't know if the agents at the airport will know what the regs are and whether they may take in on themselves to prohibit it. Maybe if I check it it will be safer as far as getting stopped.
The problem with TSA is sort of like the current controversy concerning NASCAR's drug testing program. It changes from day to day at their whelm and you are supposed to know the rules!
I quit flying because of those idiots!
And before someone pipes up and say's, hey my brother or uncle or whoever works for TSA...bla-bla-bla...my experience with them is that they have been given power they probably shouldn't have...based on IQ!
Sound like I have a chip?
I told the one gurl in Raleigh one that she had touched me in places my wife hadn't!
Back to the question at hand...I saw where you could take them on...however if the idiot at the rope doesn't feel like they are allowed that day...
Jack
I quit flying because of those idiots!
And before someone pipes up and say's, hey my brother or uncle or whoever works for TSA...bla-bla-bla...my experience with them is that they have been given power they probably shouldn't have...based on IQ!
Sound like I have a chip?
I told the one gurl in Raleigh one that she had touched me in places my wife hadn't!
Back to the question at hand...I saw where you could take them on...however if the idiot at the rope doesn't feel like they are allowed that day...
Jack
From the title of this post, I thought you were going to ask whether anyone had ever thought about swiping one of the inflatable PFDs from under your airplane seat for use on their boat, because the answer is clearly no, not ever, never crossed my mind. I swear.
If the airplane has lifevests under the seat, they have the co2 bottles...... Only the airplanes that fly 2 hrs overwater have them.... they'll make U use the seat cushion as a "Flotation Device" otherwise.
I know American follows the TSA guidance and allows you to check the pfd with the cartridges removed but packed-you're allowed one plus a spare per person. since you're just traveling in CA, the simplest thing would be to buy cartridges when you get there.
I've done this. We checked with the airlines first, were told that PFDs with CO2 cartridge were allowed, BUT that we needed to be certain to declare them to the TSA folks. We did all that, had only a little delay because the first person we declared the PFD and cartridge to was uncertain, but he checked with his supervisor who knew the rules and allowed the PFD through. We didn't have to remove the CO2 cartridge. We also took an EPIRB which I expected might have caused more of an issue with its batteries and wiring, etc. but it was also allowed through. This was flying from Central California to Seattle to deliver a friend's boat. Our experience overall was a positive one. I'm one that's glad they check this stuff.
We've flown American Airlines to BVI with ours twice. They require you remove the CO2 cartridge and travel in checked bagage...not carry on. We didn't declare and everything went without a hitch.
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