Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders

ntokyo · 24th September 2007, 04:41

For Europe, I got problems with the airline company named "Easyjet"
"Easyjet" refuse any scuba-diving tank even fully opened. It is more of less stated in their company regulations. In fact, their wording is somehow very unprecise and innacurate in certain parts. An "Easyjet" staff at the airport, also diver, mentioned to me that they are intructed to refuse any tank, they do not want to go into details.

I had to ship my tanks by postal mail. And could not dive during my stay in Europe...

I would suggest rebreather divers to avoid this company. Or forget to mention it to them.... I was stupid to tell them what I had in my bags because of the overweight....

PeteS · 24th September 2007, 10:48

I guess the easy way to avoid TSA hassles is to avoid travelling in or across the US.

The US. Nice people, strange government.....

osiris · 24th September 2007, 11:13

Yep, you got it. Ever since they started the finger print, photographing "aliens" BS, the "aliens" are voting with their feet or flippers or whatever....

Nice to know the rest of us "aliens" are well, "alien" and strangely ...normal?

quote=PeteS;139166]I guess the easy way to avoid TSA hassles is to avoid travelling in or across the US.

The US. Nice people, strange government.....[/quote]

**fireman** · 24th September 2007, 15:14

Things to remember about TSA:

They are just doing their job. They are not highly paid. The way they do their job is determined by somebody else (policy)

It is your job to make it easy for them to do their jobs, with the result you want.

So: Take you valves off. Put a note in telling them what you are doing, and how to get a hold of you, and put a copy of the relevant regulation in also.

My note from my last trip:
Dear TSA
This is a scuba diving rebreather, it is empty, contains no chemicals or gas, the valves are off the cylinders per your regulations. If you have any questions or problems please contact me. Thank you. ((contact info, with cell ## and flight info))

cramerdn · 24th September 2007, 16:25

Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman)

My note from my last trip:
Dear TSA
This is a scuba diving rebreather, it is empty, contains no chemicals or gas, the valves are off the cylinders per your regulations. If you have any questions or problems please contact me. Thank you. ((contact info, with cell ## and flight info))

I think I will go with "please help yourself to dounuts, there is a dozen Krispy Kremes at the top of my bag". Based on the gross tonnage of the average TSA worker I am sure they will let anything pass then.

**fireman** · 24th September 2007, 18:15

Hey if thats what it takes to get ones gear to the water...

PacketSniffer · 24th September 2007, 19:13

Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman)

It is your job to make it easy for them to do their jobs, with the result you want.

So: Take you valves off. Put a note in telling them what you are doing, and how to get a hold of you, and put a copy of the relevant regulation in also.

My note from my last trip:
Dear TSA
This is a scuba diving rebreather, it is empty, contains no chemicals or gas, the valves are off the cylinders per your regulations. If you have any questions or problems please contact me. Thank you. ((contact info, with cell ## and flight info))

Well, I played by the rules and lost. Valves were out. Contact sheets with mobile number were included as well as manufacturer's flyers describing hardware and TSA's own policy printed from the web. Officially, TSA is not obliged to call you. As has been documented here, we know that the TSA screening system is not standardized. Results vary a great deal.

So, we have four options with decreasing values of risk:

1) With valves removed, bag cylinders with clear plastic and absolutely nothing in the cylinder valve bore
2) Carry-on
3) Ship gear ahead of trip
4) Rent or borrow cylinders at destination

Bottom line: TSA can officially remove "hazardous" goods at will and you are then notified of your loss. End of story. Have a nice dive trip.

**fireman** · 24th September 2007, 20:34

"Air containers were plugged"

hoppyinca · 24th September 2007, 21:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman)

Things to remember about TSA:

They are just doing their job. ...

lazy bastards who were so very happy to get a government job from which it is extremely difficult to fired... IMHO (of course there are exceptions to every rule...).

anyway, I just traveled two different times with my spheres as carry-on (I refuse to check them!). no TSA agent ever said no, but the inconsistency was unsettling...

their inquiry ranged from not touching the tanks and not being able to see the tank neck, just asking if the valves were out... to my last encounter where they took everything out of my bag swiping both spheres, my HH, my secondary, a regulator and finally having the supervisor confirm everything was okay...

I did have clear packing tape over the valve hole, and I pointed it out, none of the TSA agents had a problem with that. of course since it was carry-on I could remove the tape and still have my spheres when I got to my destination!

My view is following the rules as close as possible, carry manuals, above all be polite and non-threatening

PacketSniffer · 24th September 2007, 23:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman)

"Air containers were plugged"

LOL....

Per the policy, the valves were removed.

24th September 2007, 04:41	#31 (permalink)
ntokyo New Member Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 90	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders For Europe, I got problems with the airline company named "Easyjet" "Easyjet" refuse any scuba-diving tank even fully opened. It is more of less stated in their company regulations. In fact, their wording is somehow very unprecise and innacurate in certain parts. An "Easyjet" staff at the airport, also diver, mentioned to me that they are intructed to refuse any tank, they do not want to go into details. I had to ship my tanks by postal mail. And could not dive during my stay in Europe... I would suggest rebreather divers to avoid this company. Or forget to mention it to them.... I was stupid to tell them what I had in my bags because of the overweight.... __________________ http://tokyoeuropeandivers.over-blog.com
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24th September 2007, 10:48	#32 (permalink)
PeteS Consent Issued! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New Zealand Posts: 515	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders I guess the easy way to avoid TSA hassles is to avoid travelling in or across the US. The US. Nice people, strange government..... __________________ Pete S. http://www.steggle.co.nz Every silver lining has a cloud
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24th September 2007, 11:13	#33 (permalink)
osiris Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auckland Posts: 289	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Yep, you got it. Ever since they started the finger print, photographing "aliens" BS, the "aliens" are voting with their feet or flippers or whatever.... Nice to know the rest of us "aliens" are well, "alien" and strangely ...normal? quote=PeteS;139166]I guess the easy way to avoid TSA hassles is to avoid travelling in or across the US. The US. Nice people, strange government.....[/quote]
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24th September 2007, 15:14	#34 (permalink)
fireman rEvo combat swimmer Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 497	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Things to remember about TSA: They are just doing their job. They are not highly paid. The way they do their job is determined by somebody else (policy) It is your job to make it easy for them to do their jobs, with the result you want. So: Take you valves off. Put a note in telling them what you are doing, and how to get a hold of you, and put a copy of the relevant regulation in also. My note from my last trip: Dear TSA This is a scuba diving rebreather, it is empty, contains no chemicals or gas, the valves are off the cylinders per your regulations. If you have any questions or problems please contact me. Thank you. ((contact info, with cell ## and flight info)) __________________ Heres to you Capt. Bill Never Forget, and stay safe everyone.
(Offline)

24th September 2007, 16:25	#35 (permalink)
cramerdn Obey my dog! Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Townsville QLD Posts: 534	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman) My note from my last trip: Dear TSA This is a scuba diving rebreather, it is empty, contains no chemicals or gas, the valves are off the cylinders per your regulations. If you have any questions or problems please contact me. Thank you. ((contact info, with cell ## and flight info)) I think I will go with "please help yourself to dounuts, there is a dozen Krispy Kremes at the top of my bag". Based on the gross tonnage of the average TSA worker I am sure they will let anything pass then. __________________ "Its better to live one day as a tiger than an entire life as a worm." "But who's ever heard of a worm skin rug?"
(Offline)

24th September 2007, 18:15	#36 (permalink)
fireman rEvo combat swimmer Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 497	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Hey if thats what it takes to get ones gear to the water... __________________ Heres to you Capt. Bill Never Forget, and stay safe everyone.
(Offline)

24th September 2007, 19:13	#37 (permalink)
PacketSniffer ~~~~~ #417 ~~~~~ Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 436	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman) It is your job to make it easy for them to do their jobs, with the result you want. So: Take you valves off. Put a note in telling them what you are doing, and how to get a hold of you, and put a copy of the relevant regulation in also. My note from my last trip: Dear TSA This is a scuba diving rebreather, it is empty, contains no chemicals or gas, the valves are off the cylinders per your regulations. If you have any questions or problems please contact me. Thank you. ((contact info, with cell ## and flight info)) Well, I played by the rules and lost. Valves were out. Contact sheets with mobile number were included as well as manufacturer's flyers describing hardware and TSA's own policy printed from the web. Officially, TSA is not obliged to call you. As has been documented here, we know that the TSA screening system is not standardized. Results vary a great deal. So, we have four options with decreasing values of risk: 1) With valves removed, bag cylinders with clear plastic and absolutely nothing in the cylinder valve bore 2) Carry-on 3) Ship gear ahead of trip 4) Rent or borrow cylinders at destination Bottom line: TSA can officially remove "hazardous" goods at will and you are then notified of your loss. End of story. Have a nice dive trip. __________________ Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.
(Offline)

24th September 2007, 20:34	#38 (permalink)
fireman rEvo combat swimmer Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: chicago Posts: 497	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders "Air containers were plugged" __________________ Heres to you Capt. Bill Never Forget, and stay safe everyone.
(Offline)

24th September 2007, 21:30	#39 (permalink)
hoppyinca New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA USA Posts: 252	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman) Things to remember about TSA: They are just doing their job. ... lazy bastards who were so very happy to get a government job from which it is extremely difficult to fired... IMHO (of course there are exceptions to every rule...). anyway, I just traveled two different times with my spheres as carry-on (I refuse to check them!). no TSA agent ever said no, but the inconsistency was unsettling... their inquiry ranged from not touching the tanks and not being able to see the tank neck, just asking if the valves were out... to my last encounter where they took everything out of my bag swiping both spheres, my HH, my secondary, a regulator and finally having the supervisor confirm everything was okay... I did have clear packing tape over the valve hole, and I pointed it out, none of the TSA agents had a problem with that. of course since it was carry-on I could remove the tape and still have my spheres when I got to my destination! My view is following the rules as close as possible, carry manuals, above all be polite and non-threatening
(Offline)

24th September 2007, 23:30	#40 (permalink)
PacketSniffer ~~~~~ #417 ~~~~~ Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 436	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by fireman) "Air containers were plugged" LOL.... Per the policy, the valves were removed. __________________ Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory or defeat.
(Offline)

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