Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders

PacketSniffer · 11th June 2007, 20:32

Recently, I've had a nice set of Faber 20s confiscated by TSA in Houston Bush International. I know the traveling requirements for cylinders and abided by them. Valves were removed. As I usually do, I loosely screwed the plastic dust caps back into the cylinders so that foreign material would not enter the cylinder. A two year old could have removed the dust caps. When I arrived on the other side of my direct flight, the bag didn't even show up. It arrived the next day which was a few plane arrivals later. I found a "love note" from TSA in my bag with general contact information. The email address provides a canned response and the toll free number does nothing really but have the person tell you to file a claim if it sounds legit. On the "love note" was a statement written in pencil that read, "air containers were plugged".

At this point, I'll be filing a claim (as was suggested by the TSA rep) because I've been informed that they were most likely sent for destruction. The point of removing the valves is so that TSA can verify that the cylinder is empty (no drugs, gas, etc). Unless the person who inspected my bag had no hands, they should have had no problem in fulfilling their task.

What a PITA.

Lesson learned: I'll be using clear tape from now on for the morons that are too lazy to remove a loose cap. Who knows if the caps really triggered the confiscation or if the screener was a diver.

***jradomski*** · 11th June 2007, 20:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by PacketSniffer)

Recently, I've had a nice set of Faber 20s confiscated by TSA in Houston Bush International. I know the traveling requirements for cylinders and abided by them. Valves were removed. As I usually do, I loosely screwed the plastic dust caps back into the cylinders so that foreign material would not enter the cylinder. A two year old could have removed the dust caps. When I arrived on the other side of my direct flight, the bag didn't even show up. It arrived the next day which was a few plane arrivals later. I found a "love note" from TSA in my bag with general contact information. The email address provides a canned response and the toll free number does nothing really but have the person tell you to file a claim if it sounds legit. On the "love note" was a statement written in pencil that read, "air containers were plugged".

At this point, I'll be filing a claim (as was suggested by the TSA rep) because I've been informed that they were most likely sent for destruction. The point of removing the valves is so that TSA can verify that the cylinder is empty (no drugs, gas, etc). Unless the person who inspected my bag had no hands, they should have had no problem in fulfilling their task.

What a PITA.

Lesson learned: I'll be using clear tape from now on for the morons that are too lazy to remove a loose cap. Who knows if the caps really triggered the confiscation or if the screener was a diver.

I was told by a TSA screener that they did not want ANYTHING blocking the opening, even tape was unacceptable! (I got lucky, I had case like you but I had a note taped to my cylinders with my cell number and the inspector took the initiative to call me, which he said he did not have to do, policy was to confiscate them)

The "contantainer" has to be COMPLETELY unsealed..

Tom Rose · 11th June 2007, 20:47

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

I was told by a TSA screener that they did not want ANYTHING blocking the opening, even tape was unacceptable! (I got lucky, I had cas in like you but I had a note taped to my cylinders with my cell number and the inspector took the initiative to call me, which he said he did not have to do, policy was to confiscate them)

The "contantainer" has to be COMPLETELY unsealed..

Good to know,

Thanks
Tom

PacketSniffer · 11th June 2007, 20:48

Yes. Good info Joe. I also had a note with my contact name and mobile number (as well as TSA supporting documentation for cylinders) but they didn't call. I also asked the TSA rep at the contact number if they would call someone if there was an issue. As you state, they are not obliged to call.

Explorer · 11th June 2007, 20:56

Humm, on a recent CCR trip, we had TSA page us and took us into a little room (I know what you are thinking). We opened the hard case and examined the bottles together. Our bottles were wrapped with our drysuits and we had the handtightened plugs on the bottles. I guess we were lucky.

**rigdiver** · 11th June 2007, 21:01

Does TSA regs state the cylinder must be completely open? Military types say "less than 300 psi" I just recently travelled to Grand Cayman and had plugged cylinders in my carry on. Only one cylinder (dil) was inspected. Nothing was said about the plug.

***jradomski*** · 11th June 2007, 21:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by rigdiver)

Does TSA regs state the cylinder must be completely open? Military types say "less than 300 psi" I just recently travelled to Grand Cayman and had plugged cylinders in my carry on. Only one cylinder (dil) was inspected. Nothing was said about the plug.

The original DOT regulations allow you to travel with up to 45psi if I remember correctly.. The way the regs are written it sounds like they say teh cylinders must be unsealed.. And thats the problem. The intrepretation is up to the individual screener.. The best bet is to leave no room for error and leave the cylinders open..

**rigdiver** · 11th June 2007, 21:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski)

The original DOT regulations allow you to travel with up to 45psi if I remember correctly.. The way the regs are written it sounds like they say teh cylinders must be unsealed.. And thats the problem. The intrepretation is up to the individual screener.. The best bet is to leave no room for error and leave the cylinders open..

I guess a big clear plastic bag would be the best we could do and still satisfy the TSA. "Thousands Standing Around" from my friend in the sky Rob Davie.

bletso · 11th June 2007, 22:03

Your government hard at work.

Dale

PacketSniffer · 11th June 2007, 22:08

From the Transporting Specialty Items page here ......

----------------------
Compressed gas cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carry-on ONLY if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e. the cylinder has an open end). The cylinder must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection inside.
Our Security Officers will NOT remove the seal or regulator valve from the cylinder at the checkpoint. If the cylinder is sealed (i.e. the regulator valve is still attached), the cylinder is prohibited and not permitted through the security checkpoint, regardless of the reading on the pressure gauge indicator. Our Security Officers must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.

Please note: Many of the seals/regulators used in paintball are not designed to be removed from their cylinder by the end user. The seal/regulator should only be removed and reinstalled by a factory trained technician.
Passengers considering air travel with a compressed air or CO2 system would be advised to contact its manufacturer for guidance in locating a qualified technician, or to consider shipping the system to their destination via a parcel service.
----------------------

Having a plastic dust cap installed does not prevent an internal inspection. From my read, their point to the removal of the valve is so that there is no pressure on the cylinder so personnel can perform the internal exam (without getting hurt).

11th June 2007, 20:32	#1 (permalink)
PacketSniffer ~~~~~ #417 ~~~~~ Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 414	Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Recently, I've had a nice set of Faber 20s confiscated by TSA in Houston Bush International. I know the traveling requirements for cylinders and abided by them. Valves were removed. As I usually do, I loosely screwed the plastic dust caps back into the cylinders so that foreign material would not enter the cylinder. A two year old could have removed the dust caps. When I arrived on the other side of my direct flight, the bag didn't even show up. It arrived the next day which was a few plane arrivals later. I found a "love note" from TSA in my bag with general contact information. The email address provides a canned response and the toll free number does nothing really but have the person tell you to file a claim if it sounds legit. On the "love note" was a statement written in pencil that read, "air containers were plugged". At this point, I'll be filing a claim (as was suggested by the TSA rep) because I've been informed that they were most likely sent for destruction. The point of removing the valves is so that TSA can verify that the cylinder is empty (no drugs, gas, etc). Unless the person who inspected my bag had no hands, they should have had no problem in fulfilling their task. What a PITA. Lesson learned: I'll be using clear tape from now on for the morons that are too lazy to remove a loose cap. Who knows if the caps really triggered the confiscation or if the screener was a diver. __________________ 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.
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11th June 2007, 20:45	#2 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,817	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by PacketSniffer) Recently, I've had a nice set of Faber 20s confiscated by TSA in Houston Bush International. I know the traveling requirements for cylinders and abided by them. Valves were removed. As I usually do, I loosely screwed the plastic dust caps back into the cylinders so that foreign material would not enter the cylinder. A two year old could have removed the dust caps. When I arrived on the other side of my direct flight, the bag didn't even show up. It arrived the next day which was a few plane arrivals later. I found a "love note" from TSA in my bag with general contact information. The email address provides a canned response and the toll free number does nothing really but have the person tell you to file a claim if it sounds legit. On the "love note" was a statement written in pencil that read, "air containers were plugged". At this point, I'll be filing a claim (as was suggested by the TSA rep) because I've been informed that they were most likely sent for destruction. The point of removing the valves is so that TSA can verify that the cylinder is empty (no drugs, gas, etc). Unless the person who inspected my bag had no hands, they should have had no problem in fulfilling their task. What a PITA. Lesson learned: I'll be using clear tape from now on for the morons that are too lazy to remove a loose cap. Who knows if the caps really triggered the confiscation or if the screener was a diver. I was told by a TSA screener that they did not want ANYTHING blocking the opening, even tape was unacceptable! (I got lucky, I had case like you but I had a note taped to my cylinders with my cell number and the inspector took the initiative to call me, which he said he did not have to do, policy was to confiscate them) The "contantainer" has to be COMPLETELY unsealed.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated. Last edited by jradomski : 11th June 2007 at 20:49.
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11th June 2007, 20:47	#3 (permalink)
Tom Rose Still Learning Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA,North Carolina Posts: 328	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) I was told by a TSA screener that they did not want ANYTHING blocking the opening, even tape was unacceptable! (I got lucky, I had cas in like you but I had a note taped to my cylinders with my cell number and the inspector took the initiative to call me, which he said he did not have to do, policy was to confiscate them) The "contantainer" has to be COMPLETELY unsealed.. Good to know, Thanks Tom __________________ The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime I have a 50-50 chance of getting something right, there's a 90% probability I'll get it wrong the first time. www.atlimp.com
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11th June 2007, 20:48	#4 (permalink)
PacketSniffer ~~~~~ #417 ~~~~~ Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 414	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Yes. Good info Joe. I also had a note with my contact name and mobile number (as well as TSA supporting documentation for cylinders) but they didn't call. I also asked the TSA rep at the contact number if they would call someone if there was an issue. As you state, they are not obliged to call. __________________ 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.
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11th June 2007, 20:56	#5 (permalink)
Explorer I will teach you a..... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 754	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Humm, on a recent CCR trip, we had TSA page us and took us into a little room (I know what you are thinking). We opened the hard case and examined the bottles together. Our bottles were wrapped with our drysuits and we had the handtightened plugs on the bottles. I guess we were lucky. __________________ TRAIN WRECKED.....
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11th June 2007, 21:01	#6 (permalink)
rigdiver LEARNING CONTINUALLY Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS Posts: 411	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Does TSA regs state the cylinder must be completely open? Military types say "less than 300 psi" I just recently travelled to Grand Cayman and had plugged cylinders in my carry on. Only one cylinder (dil) was inspected. Nothing was said about the plug.
(Offline)

11th June 2007, 21:07	#7 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,817	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by rigdiver) Does TSA regs state the cylinder must be completely open? Military types say "less than 300 psi" I just recently travelled to Grand Cayman and had plugged cylinders in my carry on. Only one cylinder (dil) was inspected. Nothing was said about the plug. The original DOT regulations allow you to travel with up to 45psi if I remember correctly.. The way the regs are written it sounds like they say teh cylinders must be unsealed.. And thats the problem. The intrepretation is up to the individual screener.. The best bet is to leave no room for error and leave the cylinders open.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
(Offline)

11th June 2007, 21:12	#8 (permalink)
rigdiver LEARNING CONTINUALLY Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS Posts: 411	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by jradomski) The original DOT regulations allow you to travel with up to 45psi if I remember correctly.. The way the regs are written it sounds like they say teh cylinders must be unsealed.. And thats the problem. The intrepretation is up to the individual screener.. The best bet is to leave no room for error and leave the cylinders open.. I guess a big clear plastic bag would be the best we could do and still satisfy the TSA. "Thousands Standing Around" from my friend in the sky Rob Davie.
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11th June 2007, 22:03	#9 (permalink)
bletso An independent diver. Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville, KY, USA Posts: 221	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders Your government hard at work. Dale
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11th June 2007, 22:08	#10 (permalink)
PacketSniffer ~~~~~ #417 ~~~~~ Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 414	Re: Warning: TSA Confiscated Cylinders From the Transporting Specialty Items page here ...... ---------------------- Compressed gas cylinders are allowed in checked baggage or as a carry-on ONLY if the regulator valve is completely disconnected from the cylinder and the cylinder is no longer sealed (i.e. the cylinder has an open end). The cylinder must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection inside. Our Security Officers will NOT remove the seal or regulator valve from the cylinder at the checkpoint. If the cylinder is sealed (i.e. the regulator valve is still attached), the cylinder is prohibited and not permitted through the security checkpoint, regardless of the reading on the pressure gauge indicator. Our Security Officers must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside. Please note: Many of the seals/regulators used in paintball are not designed to be removed from their cylinder by the end user. The seal/regulator should only be removed and reinstalled by a factory trained technician. Passengers considering air travel with a compressed air or CO2 system would be advised to contact its manufacturer for guidance in locating a qualified technician, or to consider shipping the system to their destination via a parcel service. ---------------------- Having a plastic dust cap installed does not prevent an internal inspection. From my read, their point to the removal of the valve is so that there is no pressure on the cylinder so personnel can perform the internal exam (without getting hurt). __________________ 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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