This is probably best, explaining the item and giving a way to contact you with questions.
Understand that the TSA Officer only cares about whether or not the item is prohibited on the flight or in the cargo holds.
TSA Courtesy Notice
- Thread starter rsingler
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Understand that the TSA Officer only cares about whether or not the item is prohibited on the flight or in the cargo holds.
wnissen
Contributor
I am grateful for this thread. You all have saved me a ton of money. I was leaning away from rebreathers for safety reasons, but the idea that you have to go to that amount of trouble just to get the thing on a plane is a total dealbreaker. I was irritated enough passing through security several times in Salt Lake with my open circuit gear, since the TSA folks there don't see dive gear much so it was always a production. But I didn't have to worry about them taking my reg apart, you know? In all sincerity, this was illuminating.
1). I used to think rebreathers weren’t as safe as oc. I learned the error of my ways.
2) I’ve traveled all over the place to dive oc and not as many but quite a few places cc. Travelling with a rebreather is not that big of a deal. I have yet to have any issue whatsoever. The most issues I’ve ever had was over an hid can light
SouthernPine
Registered
OP
Well, through TSA without much hassle.
Of course the head got inspected, but the agent kindly let me direct how to unpack without damaging the counterlungs. She was replaced midway thru the inspection by a second agent, who started to scrunch up the counterlungs after the explosive check came back negative. But she was happy to let me finish packing.
Neither even looked at my new TSA notice taped to the lid. I pointed it out after, and asked if notices even matter, and she said no. They have to evaluate based on x-ray. But as others have commented, saying the magic words "scuba equipment" lowered their thoroughness after the wipedown.
To my surprise, five first stages made it thru without a secondary inspection.
Of course, not being rushed seems to improve their attitude.
On the whole, no complaints. Just wasted a bit of time and effort on my carefully thought out notice. Thanks to all for your suggestions.
I think I'll make a new one that's much simpler:
TSA in big red letters,
then "Scuba Equipment" and "No compressed gases" with my name and phone number.
If my canister and backplate got opened, I'll report back.
Of course the head got inspected, but the agent kindly let me direct how to unpack without damaging the counterlungs. She was replaced midway thru the inspection by a second agent, who started to scrunch up the counterlungs after the explosive check came back negative. But she was happy to let me finish packing.
Neither even looked at my new TSA notice taped to the lid. I pointed it out after, and asked if notices even matter, and she said no. They have to evaluate based on x-ray. But as others have commented, saying the magic words "scuba equipment" lowered their thoroughness after the wipedown.
To my surprise, five first stages made it thru without a secondary inspection.
Of course, not being rushed seems to improve their attitude.
On the whole, no complaints. Just wasted a bit of time and effort on my carefully thought out notice. Thanks to all for your suggestions.
I think I'll make a new one that's much simpler:
TSA in big red letters,
then "Scuba Equipment" and "No compressed gases" with my name and phone number.
If my canister and backplate got opened, I'll report back.
Do you have a hard sided checked luggage suitcase? I put counterlungs in that, along with loop, wing and can. I put head, all regulators and NERD/controller in carry on.
OP
Yeah, I used a Pelican 1637 so I could put the whole can in with the wing. But trying to pack the backplate, hoses, wing and clothes got me to 60+#, so I had to redo things. I think I should have gotten the 1607, and just unscrewed the stand. There would have been less dead space for stuff to rattle around.
I put my plate and hoses in a second hard sided bag (luckily with United I get two). Carried head, loop and counterlungs in a Pelican Air 1535 for the overhead bin, and my regs in a small case that fits under the seat with personal items. My plan was to switch the head to my small case if my overhead bag was forced to check at the gate, and risk the regs and loop in the Pelican.
Don't know what I'll do when I carry empty 3l's. I may be happier with the 1637 then. I've got to plan this out better when I get home with the new toys.
I put my plate and hoses in a second hard sided bag (luckily with United I get two). Carried head, loop and counterlungs in a Pelican Air 1535 for the overhead bin, and my regs in a small case that fits under the seat with personal items. My plan was to switch the head to my small case if my overhead bag was forced to check at the gate, and risk the regs and loop in the Pelican.
Don't know what I'll do when I carry empty 3l's. I may be happier with the 1637 then. I've got to plan this out better when I get home with the new toys.
Clothes? There's your problem. I never bring those on dive trips! 
I have flown with my JJ a good bit, never took tanks with me. You must be planning some real adventures!
I have flown with my JJ a good bit, never took tanks with me. You must be planning some real adventures!
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