rebreather cylinders for checked baggage

quickean · 18th February 2007, 09:18

Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task.

scubagrunt · 18th February 2007, 09:21

Quote: (Originally Posted by quickean)

Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task.

great idea Have fun!!!!!!

actually i will be going to mexico in may (trimix ccr class hehehe) anyway i will pay a bit more and fly continental just so i can take the little cylinders!! but i think for a guy with your energy

it would be a great idea to try.
mel

ps what you doin' last week of may??

quickean · 18th February 2007, 09:30

Quote: (Originally Posted by scubagrunt)

ps what you doin' last week of may??

hopefully taking a trimix class in Mexico!

silent running · 18th February 2007, 10:44

Quote: (Originally Posted by quickean)

Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task.

Hello quickean, the issue is probably weight/valve protocol. I have never had a problem traveling with my 2x19cuft cyls, as long as the valves are off. On 1 trip, I had 2x19cuft cyls and 1x40cuft that I brought to the other side of the world and back with no problems. If the valves are off, it should be no problem as long as your extra weight is for "scientific purposes" only... -Andy

scubagrunt · 18th February 2007, 11:02

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

Hello quickean, the issue is probably weight/valve protocol. I have never had a problem traveling with my 2x19cuft cyls, as long as the valves are off. On 1 trip, I had 2x19cuft cyls and 1x40cuft that I brought to the other side of the world and back with no problems. If the valves are off, it should be no problem as long as your extra weight is for "scientific purposes" only... -Andy

Hi Andy, I too have traveled with many little cylinders. The problem is if you get a nasty ticket agent/inspector then they could apply the $100 charge per tank as stated in their regulations. This would really suck, not to mention be rather unfair! It would be really nice if we could get the airlines to listen and make some changes

DaveC · 18th February 2007, 14:00

Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running)

"scientific purposes" only... -Andy

This is interesting. What's this about?

***jradomski*** · 18th February 2007, 14:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by quickean)

Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task.

It helps that one of the execs at Continetal HQ in Houston is a diver, and has contact with a local Rebreather instructor..

silent running · 18th February 2007, 18:13

Quote: (Originally Posted by scubagrunt)

Hi Andy, I too have traveled with many little cylinders. The problem is if you get a nasty ticket agent/inspector then they could apply the $100 charge per tank as stated in their regulations. This would really suck, not to mention be rather unfair! It would be really nice if we could get the airlines to listen and make some changes

Hi sg, to my knowledge, Continental is the only airline that has this goofy policy, and the one time I flew with them to Roatan, I got clarification from someone at their headquarters and had that person's name ready in case the gate agent tried anything funny. But everything went fine and I sailed through.

I usually wait a bit and watch to see if the TSA people open my bag after the xray. If they pause while examining the xray, I speak up and tell them the cyls are for diving. About half the time they want to open up the bags and look in the cyls, so I make sure they are packed so that they're easy to remove and put back. So far so good. I'm going to Indonesia next month, so hopefully I won't ruin a perfect record...

RebreatherNut · 18th February 2007, 20:54

I have flown various airlines with "little" tanks in my suitcase (valve off) and tank not caped, but in a plastic bag with this note (first link) attached:

TSA: Transporting Special Items

TSA: Transporting Scuba Equipment

And so far I never had a problem. TSA did look into my suitcase but never complained, nor did the airlines.

RBN

Tom Rose · 18th February 2007, 21:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by quickean)

Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task.

Just carried a couple of small rebreather cylinders to Bonaire...American and Dutch Antilles Express....no problem...

Tom Rose

18th February 2007, 09:18	#1 (permalink)
quickean RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 140	rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task.
(Online)

18th February 2007, 09:21	#2 (permalink)
scubagrunt CCR Diva Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other SCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 441	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Quote: (Originally Posted by quickean) Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task. great idea Have fun!!!!!! actually i will be going to mexico in may (trimix ccr class hehehe) anyway i will pay a bit more and fly continental just so i can take the little cylinders!! but i think for a guy with your energy it would be a great idea to try. mel ps what you doin' last week of may?? __________________ "No good deed goes unpunished!" www.silentscuba.com
(Offline)

18th February 2007, 09:30	#3 (permalink)
quickean RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 140	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Quote: (Originally Posted by scubagrunt) ps what you doin' last week of may?? hopefully taking a trimix class in Mexico!
(Online)

18th February 2007, 10:44	#4 (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: 1,873	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Quote: (Originally Posted by quickean) Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task. Hello quickean, the issue is probably weight/valve protocol. I have never had a problem traveling with my 2x19cuft cyls, as long as the valves are off. On 1 trip, I had 2x19cuft cyls and 1x40cuft that I brought to the other side of the world and back with no problems. If the valves are off, it should be no problem as long as your extra weight is for "scientific purposes" only... -Andy
(Offline)

18th February 2007, 11:02	#5 (permalink)
scubagrunt CCR Diva Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other SCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Washington Posts: 441	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) Hello quickean, the issue is probably weight/valve protocol. I have never had a problem traveling with my 2x19cuft cyls, as long as the valves are off. On 1 trip, I had 2x19cuft cyls and 1x40cuft that I brought to the other side of the world and back with no problems. If the valves are off, it should be no problem as long as your extra weight is for "scientific purposes" only... -Andy Hi Andy, I too have traveled with many little cylinders. The problem is if you get a nasty ticket agent/inspector then they could apply the $100 charge per tank as stated in their regulations. This would really suck, not to mention be rather unfair! It would be really nice if we could get the airlines to listen and make some changes __________________ "No good deed goes unpunished!" www.silentscuba.com
(Offline)

18th February 2007, 14:00	#6 (permalink)
DaveC New Member Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ontario. Canada Posts: 192	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Quote: (Originally Posted by silent running) "scientific purposes" only... -Andy This is interesting. What's this about? __________________ Dave Any day in the water is better then any day in the office.
(Offline)

18th February 2007, 14:19	#7 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 3,113	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Quote: (Originally Posted by quickean) Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task. It helps that one of the execs at Continetal HQ in Houston is a diver, and has contact with a local Rebreather instructor.. __________________ 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)

18th February 2007, 18:13	#8 (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: 1,873	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Quote: (Originally Posted by scubagrunt) Hi Andy, I too have traveled with many little cylinders. The problem is if you get a nasty ticket agent/inspector then they could apply the $100 charge per tank as stated in their regulations. This would really suck, not to mention be rather unfair! It would be really nice if we could get the airlines to listen and make some changes Hi sg, to my knowledge, Continental is the only airline that has this goofy policy, and the one time I flew with them to Roatan, I got clarification from someone at their headquarters and had that person's name ready in case the gate agent tried anything funny. But everything went fine and I sailed through. I usually wait a bit and watch to see if the TSA people open my bag after the xray. If they pause while examining the xray, I speak up and tell them the cyls are for diving. About half the time they want to open up the bags and look in the cyls, so I make sure they are packed so that they're easy to remove and put back. So far so good. I'm going to Indonesia next month, so hopefully I won't ruin a perfect record...
(Offline)

18th February 2007, 20:54	#9 (permalink)
RebreatherNut Casual Sport Kiss Pilot Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Ray Other Rebreather/s: Ray Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 720	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage I have flown various airlines with "little" tanks in my suitcase (valve off) and tank not caped, but in a plastic bag with this note (first link) attached: TSA: Transporting Special Items TSA: Transporting Scuba Equipment And so far I never had a problem. TSA did look into my suitcase but never complained, nor did the airlines. RBN __________________ "One minute to go, Luck-meister! Then I'll be down on you like a buzzard on a gut wagon." - ALF
(Offline)

18th February 2007, 21:01	#10 (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: 331	Re: rebreather cylinders for checked baggage Quote: (Originally Posted by quickean) Continental is the only air carrier in the US that I am aware has a provision in writting for carrying up to three rebreather cylinders in checked baggage. Has much effort been made to officially petition other major carriers to make similar provisions? This seems like a worthwile task. Just carried a couple of small rebreather cylinders to Bonaire...American and Dutch Antilles Express....no problem... Tom Rose __________________ 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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