For specifics you can check the airline's web site, but I'm pretty sure they'll want it checked, with the valve removed.
Flying with pony bottles or spare air
- Thread starter RMHSCUBA
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AbyssalPlains
Contributor
I flew to NC last year with no issues. Haven't done any international travel with it, though. Can't tell whether you REALLY need to remove the valve if you check it in, but to me it seems like taking a super-high risk of losing the pony to confiscation, while taking off the valve takes, um... 5 seconds maybe? Put a piece of clear plastic tape over the orifice and you're all set. It can also be helpful to enclose a print-out of the TSA rules from their website with your luggage.
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Thanks I'm guessing checked too.
Us Airways and Hawaiian Airlines - Yeah, I've printed them out before (Costa Rica) but still had issue, I had to carry a copy around with me and show it to them each time we boarded one of their puddle jumpers.
Thanks!
danclem
Contributor
Seattle to Miami to Bahamas in June: no issues or problems. Be sure to remove valve.
Dan
Dan
GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
I have flown with mine, valve removed and in checked bags, many, many times back and forth across the US on different airlines. Never an issue, but almost always a note from TSA informing me the opened my bag.
I normally do get stopped at the security point to unload my backpack, it seems the xray machines have problems with 2 regulators,3 dive computers, camera, strobe, lights and other goodies I don't trust in checked baggage all piled together. I allow a little extra time and smile its only a few minutes and I am going to have fun diving, the poor smuck at security has to work there for a living.
I normally do get stopped at the security point to unload my backpack, it seems the xray machines have problems with 2 regulators,3 dive computers, camera, strobe, lights and other goodies I don't trust in checked baggage all piled together. I allow a little extra time and smile its only a few minutes and I am going to have fun diving, the poor smuck at security has to work there for a living.
Scared Silly
Contributor
Here are the regs:
TSA: Compressed Gas Cylinders
Allow extra time for baggage inspection as any bag with a cylinder in it will be pulled for hand inspection.
TSA: Compressed Gas Cylinders
Allow extra time for baggage inspection as any bag with a cylinder in it will be pulled for hand inspection.
Appears TSA website contradicts itself. In one section it says scuba tanks are not allowed and then in another section it says compressed gas cylinders are allowed if the valve is removed.
TSA: TSA Announces Travel Tips For July 4 Travelers
TSA: Compressed Gas Cylinders
Travelled from BC To Cancun August 15th 09 took spare air on carry on, had no issue at all. That was Air Transat
Traveled from PHX to Cancun September 6, 2009. I packed the pony in my suit case with the valve off and in the protection of a sturdy small cardboard box. I had a print out of the TSA guidelines taped to the box the valve was in and to the tank itself.
Upon arriving at CUN while going through customs I was asked to open all of my bags including my dive bag and main sut case and they asked me about my pony. I explained it and then no problem. However, they did have a problem with the fact I was carrying two laptops in my carry-on bag.
They escorted me to an office a told me that I can only come into Mexico with one LT and I would have to pay a tax based on the value of the LT at time of purchase. I was pissed! It didn't make sense to me but I just paid it.
When I finally got to my hotel in Playa del Carmen I saw the notice (which I didn't see at CUN airport customs) from TSA that they inspected my suitcase.
On September 13, 2009 I flew back home to PHX. When I got home I noticed that my TSA lock was missing. Obviously TSA was in my bag but this time no note and as I mentioned, they didn't bother to put my lock back.
Also, one note - when I got to PDC the dive op old me that the tank would need to be vised before it could be filled and it was a real hassel. However, he worked something out, he sent the pony in for a fill and I didn't have to pay any vis fee.
Upon arriving at CUN while going through customs I was asked to open all of my bags including my dive bag and main sut case and they asked me about my pony. I explained it and then no problem. However, they did have a problem with the fact I was carrying two laptops in my carry-on bag.
They escorted me to an office a told me that I can only come into Mexico with one LT and I would have to pay a tax based on the value of the LT at time of purchase. I was pissed! It didn't make sense to me but I just paid it.
When I finally got to my hotel in Playa del Carmen I saw the notice (which I didn't see at CUN airport customs) from TSA that they inspected my suitcase.
On September 13, 2009 I flew back home to PHX. When I got home I noticed that my TSA lock was missing. Obviously TSA was in my bag but this time no note and as I mentioned, they didn't bother to put my lock back.
Also, one note - when I got to PDC the dive op old me that the tank would need to be vised before it could be filled and it was a real hassel. However, he worked something out, he sent the pony in for a fill and I didn't have to pay any vis fee.
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