[j_dirge]

So I am off to the Islands to remove extra gear from my boat which is/may/should be sold.

Has anyone here had firsthand exp. putting an EPIRB in checked baggage?
Talked to Airline rep and they didn't even know what an EPIRB was....after a lengthy description they referred me to thier website which didn't address this particular item... although I discovered I can ship an animals head w/ antlers if the antlers are properly wrapped. :lol: <_<

What about those expensive SOLAS grade offshore flares? (probably not, eh? kind of a hazard.. no?)

I'm not trying to sneak anything past anyone... I'll declare it all if need be and pay appropriate fees if reasonable.

what say ye.?

[Right Coast]

The EPIRB is no problem.

The flares are not an option. You're best be it to talk to FEDEX about shipping them to your destination. It's not going to be cheap, but it's better than hoping tp find them in the islands.

[Ned]

j d,

need to ship the flares as hazmat, not passenger aircraft only. It requires special packaging, and probably alot of time at the fedex office. Suggest you consult with the original vendor or manufacturer for shipping requirements.

Other bet is surface freight

Third bet is to try to make a deal for them out here and get new flares when you need them. That or just go to the West Marine here and return them because you're dissatisfied.

[chrisba]

I have heard that they don't like the CO2 cylinders in Life Jackets either.

[j_dirge]

Ned, on Oct 18 2004, 04:57 PM, said:

j d,

need to ship the flares as hazmat, not passenger aircraft only. It requires special packaging, and probably alot of time at the fedex office. Suggest you consult with the original vendor or manufacturer for shipping requirements.

Other bet is surface freight

Third bet is to try to make a deal for them out here and get new flares when you need them. That or just go to the West Marine here and return them because you're dissatisfied.

Thanks Ned, RC,
yeah the flares will probably be a bonus 'gift' to the new owner..

[j_dirge]

chrisba, on Oct 18 2004, 05:00 PM, said:

I have heard that they don't like the CO2 cylinders in Life Jackets either.

Those will be removed and chucked... due for replacement anyway.

[-Q-]

EPIRB - Yes

Flares - Ha Ha, but thanks for asking. Like you said, leave them for the next guy.

CO2 - No. Leave them for the next guy.

Anything that looks funny that a $15/hr airline employee doesn't recognize or understand (including the aforementioned EPIRB, even though its legal to bring aboard) - No (put it in checked baggage, no questions asked.)

-- Q

[encinoman]

j_dirge, on Oct 18 2004, 09:05 AM, said:

chrisba, on Oct 18 2004, 05:00 PM, said:

I have heard that they don't like the CO2 cylinders in Life Jackets either.

Those will be removed and chucked... due for replacement anyway.

If you go into the details of the haz-mat list you'll see that 2 cylinders for your life jacket, and 2 spares are allowed.

I've never been successful though, and have always had them removed from me at security. It's not worth a 10 minute fight where ulimately you may lose them anyway, even though you're right. I can't blame them for taking these little metal cylinders that could contain potentially know knows what... explosives?

The flares are definately a haz-mat and have to go by ground.

I looked up all the details for the EPIRB, and surprisingly could not find anything. I thought the Lithium batteries were highly flammable and that they also have to be shipped by ground, but I can't find Lithium batteries on the FAA haz-mat list. Maybe it's OK. Anyone know?

[Oxygen Mask]

The co2 cylinders were the subject of some good threads recently. I had them denied on a flight recently and I even had a color copy of the regs with pictures that show that they are allowed (2 in the pfd + 2 spares.) It's up to the carrier whether they will allow them though, but the security folks will make up their own minds. I took a self addressed padded envelope and sent them home, so at least I didn't lose $$$. PITA and just plain wrong, IMHO, but whatya gonna do? If need be I would Fedex them to my destination ahead of time, next time there might not be a handy WM or similar to get replacements.

[SMP]

I've carried on EPIRB's before with no problem.

Just heard on the news this AM some guy in Oregon bought a Big flat screen TV and the first couple times he turned it on, CG SAR showed up at his front door. Some how they figured out the TV was broadcasting a 406 signal :huh:

[Oxygen Mask]

SMP, on Oct 18 2004, 10:22 AM, said:

I've carried on EPIRB's before with no problem.

Just heard on the news this AM some guy in Oregon bought a Big flat screen TV and the first couple times he turned it on, CG SAR showed up at his front door. Some how they figured out the TV was broadcasting a 406 signal :huh:

See, proof! Big Brother DOES watch us through our TVs!
Note to self: Buy more tinfoil...

[Right Coast]

I don't know about the lithium batteries being a HAZMAT. The EPIRB manufacturers don't seem to have any problems shipping them via air(without any HAZMAT charges).

The CO2 cartridges are hit and miss, the FAA says their OK, but it seems that the individual carriers and airports take varying positions on them.

My wife flew out for BBS with here inflatable w/ a spare, and to 2 belt packs for other crewmembers. They took the cylinders for the beltpacks which were in one bag, and left her 2 cylinders, which were in another.

Leaving Bermuda there was a box with 100+ confiscated cylinders sitting at the screener's station.

As much as I do not like West Marine- DO NOT buy then return flares. If they will even let you, this type of "rental" is plain wrong, especially when it comes to lifesaving equipment. It will bring bad boating karma.

[Delta Blues]

Those C02 Cylinders are used for other gases. Oxygen, Propane, Acetylene, etc. It would be easy to mark they as C02. 1 cylinder of Oxy and 1 of Acetylene, get the picture?

The cylinders attached to the lifejackets under your seat on the plane were inspected during installation by the FAA. No $15/hr airport employee will have the training to tell the difference between C02 and Oxygen. That is why there is so much consternation over this.

Yup, the airlines pay their insurance premiums and tell their underwriters what they will and won't do. They establish their operating policies what is allowed and what isn't. More than 1/2 don't allow the C02 cannisters on board. And it is a hastle getting them on the other 1/2 of planes!

[Oxygen Mask]

[[Leaving Bermuda there was a box with 100+ confiscated cylinders sitting at the screener's station. ]]

Somewhere there's a thriving black market for these things we just need to find. Someone had the idea of an exchange program - that's a great idea - shops in the airports - outside the security area - where you drop off things that can't go on the plane and get vouchers to pick up a replacement at shop at the other end - for a small fee. Fingernail clippers, scissors, machetes, leatherman tools, knives, co2 cannisters, guns, explosives, all that stuff...

[-Q-]

Right Coast, on Oct 18 2004, 01:36 PM, said:

Leaving Bermuda there was a box with 100+ confiscated cylinders sitting at the screener's station.

You flew back from Bermuda ... sheer decadence! What luxury!

I'll make you all a deal... in 2006, stop by the boat at the RBYC with all the CO2 cylinders from your crew who are flying home, along with one (1) Dark n Stormy per boat, and I will return them, four days later and hopefully unused, to Newport / NY / CT. You can pick them up at the boat, whenever you want.

Cheers -- Q

[Right Coast]

Thanks, for the offer, but we sent our's back on the boat.

The strangest one, (read scam) was leaving Montego Bay after Pineapple Cup. The screener told me I had too many AA batteries in my bag. And then I remembered the guy (probably the screener's brother) selling AA batteries out front of the airport. Hmmm.

[j_dirge]

Right Coast, on Oct 18 2004, 05:36 PM, said:

As much as I do not like West Marine- DO NOT buy then return flares. If they will even let you, this type of "rental" is plain wrong, especially when it comes to lifesaving equipment. It will bring bad boating karma.

nope.. not my style either.

besides I'm in need of some of the good karma