Carrying pony bottles or H20 Odyssey spare air on planes.

[slackercruster]

Has anyone encountered problems carrying empty small pony bottles or H20 Odyssey 'spare air' style redundant air sources on international airline flights?

Thanks

 

[markfm]

Empty, valve off, in checked luggage. Put a clear plastic baggie over the opening, held on with a rubber band, should be OK -- the idea is that it needs to be checkable visually, clearly not pressurized.

 

[slackercruster]

Empty, valve off, in checked luggage. Put a clear plastic baggie over the opening, held on with a rubber band, should be OK -- the idea is that it needs to be checkable visually, clearly not pressurized.

Will you get hassled if it is broken down but you try to carry on?

 

[Going Postal]

This is from the TSA website:

# A compressed gas cylinder is allowed in carry-on or checked baggage 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. TSA Security Screeners will NOT remove the seal/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. TSA Security Screeners must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.

* NOTE: There is a compressed gas cylinder exception for both carry-on and checked baggage that allows 2 compressed gas cylinders fitted into a self-inflating life-jacket and 2 spare cartridges with the approval of the aircraft operator.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1190.xml

 

[RICHinNC]

I have talked with many airport TSA customer reps and they all say.....yes the TSA written rules on line say you can do it....but they have the authority to alter any written directive on site. None of them want to see a steel container on board. So save yourself a hassle....and possible loss of a tank.....and drain it...take the valve off....print off the TSA rules and wrap around the tank....and I type up a paper in big print explaining what it is and lay a dive mag next to it....no problems.

And...I have no problems...(knock on wood)....taking my regs, computers and bp and wing on board with me. As I hope to do in Sep to Barbados.

 

[slackercruster]

This is from the TSA website:

# A compressed gas cylinder is allowed in carry-on or checked baggage 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. TSA Security Screeners will NOT remove the seal/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. TSA Security Screeners must visibly ensure that the cylinder is completely empty and that there are no prohibited items inside.

* NOTE: There is a compressed gas cylinder exception for both carry-on and checked baggage that allows 2 compressed gas cylinders fitted into a self-inflating life-jacket and 2 spare cartridges with the approval of the aircraft operator.

http://www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1190.xml

Thanks for the details...forgot to ask. Can you pack small 12 gram CO2 cartridges in your check in luggage for power inflating emergency vests?

 

[Curt Bowen]

Thanks for the details...forgot to ask. Can you pack small 12 gram CO2 cartridges in your check in luggage for power inflating emergency vests?

I thought they stop putting cos cartridges on BC's about 18 years ago?

 

[BrianV]

So how many of you take pony bottles on you when you travel? It seems like a sucky hassle.

 

[markfm]

I like taking mine -- a miscellaneous dive buddy, new location, is a prime time to have it.

 

[slackercruster]

I thought they stop putting cos cartridges on BC's about 18 years ago?

I use them on snorkel vests and a horseshoe BC like a rapid diver.