Flying with sofnolime

silent running · 27th January 2006, 03:02

Thanks for the tip Rob. I always take the valves off so they look pretty for the xray. Just got off the phone with a Continental rep and they took the vague wording to mean that any loose cyls that can't fit in the bags will be charged as excess. I hope she's right. I've never flown Continental before and I will not volunteer any info as per your recommendation. I have traveled far and wide and always had good luck, even with dinky 3rd world carriers. Let's hope my luck holds out. I hate the way the airlines always manage to make me feel like I'm doing something wrong traveling with my CCR and sorb... -Andy

DaveB · 27th January 2006, 07:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

Thanks for the tip Rob. I always take the valves off so they look pretty for the xray. Just got off the phone with a Continental rep and they took the vague wording to mean that any loose cyls that can't fit in the bags will be charged as excess. I hope she's right. I've never flown Continental before and I will not volunteer any info as per your recommendation. I have traveled far and wide and always had good luck, even with dinky 3rd world carriers. Let's hope my luck holds out. I hate the way the airlines always manage to make me feel like I'm doing something wrong traveling with my CCR and sorb... -Andy

I flew through the states on Continental last year on the way to Palau with 14 close friends. Between us we had 2 rebreathers 3 20kg tubs of Sofnolime and the OC guys had 6 or so 3lt ponys.

I can confirm that if the clyinders are in your bag they don't get charged as extra. We took valves out as directed, however, as I had a debris tube broken (even though I had protected it) on advice from the TSA inspector we just loosened them for the trip back. Stay with your baggage until it is x-rayed and opened, twist off the valve to show the clyinders are empty and then screw the valve on again. I have now done this several times without hassle, even if they open the bag again they don't need tools to unscrew the valve so it shouldn't be a problem.

The lime was no problem after I went back stage with an airline rep to show him his web site! I did have printouts, but they just wanted to check.

leadking · 28th January 2006, 15:51

Make sure to take your batteries out of your unit. They accidently turned my unit on and when I got to Truk the next day found out. We traveled with MSDS sheets but almost had everything confiscated in Honolulu until I told the agent we would sue for the cost of the trip if he was in error. He called back to the main office safety personnel and we got clearance.

shell-back · 28th January 2006, 17:34

Quote:

Anybody have any recent experience dealing with Continental, say at JFK? I'm going to Roatan on Sat. I hope they aren't going to charge me to bring my 2 19 cufts or this will be my last trip to Roatan... -Andy

Just got back , no problems , PM me where you are staying there is little if any support on the island that has logistical backups for rebreathers

Funny story about sorb , In 98 I returned to the states and was held up , while agents with big smiles opened up a pelicase with pre messured amount of dusty dragersorb in doubled zip lock freezer bags.
once the case was opened I was asked to assume the position with my fingers interlaced behind my head

A happy little beagle dog was pranced around the luggage and made no response. they proceeded to cut the bags and have the liltte dog take a another sniff, against my advice.
luckly the agents pulled out a little kit and added some sorb to a packet and did a little snap and shake before the dog got a whoop ass snort.

I was not travleling with the MSDS or any other info at the time as it was the return trip and had thrown it all away with exception to the 3 bags of unused sorb.
an hour later I was released and had to run to the catch my flight. To this day I have seen the same agents and they always remember me

ROB DAVIE · 28th January 2006, 18:14

Bet they could see promotions ahead when they saw your baggies!!!

Genesis · 28th January 2006, 19:06

Yeah, I'm sure the first thought was "oh boy, look what we bagged here!"

It would have been bad (for the dog) if he had taken in a schnozz full of sorb dust - OUCH!

English Mark · 31st January 2006, 01:25

Got a container of it confiscated on the way through customs leaving the states in 05,,,,,,they didnt like the corrosive label . since then i travel with a note from the manufacturer say that its not realy THAT corrosive and the unit manual. should be ok anywhere less sensitive , Bon Voyage

jhaaja · 1st March 2006, 12:48

Here comes some comments about carrying the sofno.

I had no problems what so ever in Finland or in Egypt. I had packed the sofno in 3L transparent plastic bags and I had about 10 of those in my check in luggage back.

The bags hold up nicely and the lime got to Egypt just fine.

JH
Finland

plazma · 1st March 2006, 13:08

Quote: (Originally Posted by jhaaja)

Here comes some comments about carrying the sofno.

I had no problems what so ever in Finland or in Egypt. I had packed the sofno in 3L transparent plastic bags and I had about 10 of those in my check in luggage back.

The bags hold up nicely and the lime got to Egypt just fine.

JH
Finland

How many did you use of those 10 bags?

-Pasi

jhaaja · 1st March 2006, 13:17

I think I used 6-7. I was sick for 2 days so no diving on those days

JH
Finland

27th January 2006, 03:02	#21 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,832	Re: Flying with sofnolime Thanks for the tip Rob. I always take the valves off so they look pretty for the xray. Just got off the phone with a Continental rep and they took the vague wording to mean that any loose cyls that can't fit in the bags will be charged as excess. I hope she's right. I've never flown Continental before and I will not volunteer any info as per your recommendation. I have traveled far and wide and always had good luck, even with dinky 3rd world carriers. Let's hope my luck holds out. I hate the way the airlines always manage to make me feel like I'm doing something wrong traveling with my CCR and sorb... -Andy
(Offline)

27th January 2006, 07:50	#22 (permalink)
DaveB Rebreather World Writer Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Belper, Derbyshire, UK Posts: 89	Re: Flying with sofnolime Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Thanks for the tip Rob. I always take the valves off so they look pretty for the xray. Just got off the phone with a Continental rep and they took the vague wording to mean that any loose cyls that can't fit in the bags will be charged as excess. I hope she's right. I've never flown Continental before and I will not volunteer any info as per your recommendation. I have traveled far and wide and always had good luck, even with dinky 3rd world carriers. Let's hope my luck holds out. I hate the way the airlines always manage to make me feel like I'm doing something wrong traveling with my CCR and sorb... -Andy I flew through the states on Continental last year on the way to Palau with 14 close friends. Between us we had 2 rebreathers 3 20kg tubs of Sofnolime and the OC guys had 6 or so 3lt ponys. I can confirm that if the clyinders are in your bag they don't get charged as extra. We took valves out as directed, however, as I had a debris tube broken (even though I had protected it) on advice from the TSA inspector we just loosened them for the trip back. Stay with your baggage until it is x-rayed and opened, twist off the valve to show the clyinders are empty and then screw the valve on again. I have now done this several times without hassle, even if they open the bag again they don't need tools to unscrew the valve so it shouldn't be a problem. The lime was no problem after I went back stage with an airline rep to show him his web site! I did have printouts, but they just wanted to check. __________________ David
(Offline)

28th January 2006, 15:51	#23 (permalink)
leadking New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 57	Re: Flying with sofnolime Make sure to take your batteries out of your unit. They accidently turned my unit on and when I got to Truk the next day found out. We traveled with MSDS sheets but almost had everything confiscated in Honolulu until I told the agent we would sue for the cost of the trip if he was in error. He called back to the main office safety personnel and we got clearance.
(Offline)

28th January 2006, 17:34	#24 (permalink)
shell-back I do all my own stunts Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Ray Azimuth Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: middle of US Posts: 475	Re: Flying with sofnolime Quote: Anybody have any recent experience dealing with Continental, say at JFK? I'm going to Roatan on Sat. I hope they aren't going to charge me to bring my 2 19 cufts or this will be my last trip to Roatan... -Andy Just got back , no problems , PM me where you are staying there is little if any support on the island that has logistical backups for rebreathers Funny story about sorb , In 98 I returned to the states and was held up , while agents with big smiles opened up a pelicase with pre messured amount of dusty dragersorb in doubled zip lock freezer bags. once the case was opened I was asked to assume the position with my fingers interlaced behind my head A happy little beagle dog was pranced around the luggage and made no response. they proceeded to cut the bags and have the liltte dog take a another sniff, against my advice. luckly the agents pulled out a little kit and added some sorb to a packet and did a little snap and shake before the dog got a whoop ass snort. I was not travleling with the MSDS or any other info at the time as it was the return trip and had thrown it all away with exception to the 3 bags of unused sorb. an hour later I was released and had to run to the catch my flight. To this day I have seen the same agents and they always remember me
(Offline)

28th January 2006, 18:14	#25 (permalink)
ROB DAVIE Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: HOUSTON, REPUBLIC OF TEJAS Posts: 1,120	Re: Flying with sofnolime Bet they could see promotions ahead when they saw your baggies!!!
(Offline)

28th January 2006, 19:06	#26 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,397	Re: Flying with sofnolime Yeah, I'm sure the first thought was "oh boy, look what we bagged here!" It would have been bad (for the dog) if he had taken in a schnozz full of sorb dust - OUCH! __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
(Online)

31st January 2006, 01:25	#27 (permalink)
English Mark New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: caribean islands Posts: 2	Re: Flying with sofnolime Got a container of it confiscated on the way through customs leaving the states in 05,,,,,,they didnt like the corrosive label . since then i travel with a note from the manufacturer say that its not realy THAT corrosive and the unit manual. should be ok anywhere less sensitive , Bon Voyage
(Offline)

1st March 2006, 12:48	#28 (permalink)
jhaaja Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 884	Re: Flying with sofnolime Here comes some comments about carrying the sofno. I had no problems what so ever in Finland or in Egypt. I had packed the sofno in 3L transparent plastic bags and I had about 10 of those in my check in luggage back. The bags hold up nicely and the lime got to Egypt just fine. JH Finland
(Offline)

1st March 2006, 13:08	#29 (permalink)
plazma New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Oulu, Finland Posts: 104	Re: Flying with sofnolime Quote: (Originally Posted by jhaaja) Here comes some comments about carrying the sofno. I had no problems what so ever in Finland or in Egypt. I had packed the sofno in 3L transparent plastic bags and I had about 10 of those in my check in luggage back. The bags hold up nicely and the lime got to Egypt just fine. JH Finland How many did you use of those 10 bags? -Pasi
(Offline)

1st March 2006, 13:17	#30 (permalink)
jhaaja Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 884	Re: Flying with sofnolime I think I used 6-7. I was sick for 2 days so no diving on those days JH Finland
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