The TSA and fuel bottles

[Swen]

Since the TSA crackdown of all things necessary for the survival of the human race, I haven't flown with a fuel bottle, empty of course. Do I risk the TSA throwing a hissyfit?





...And I have no intention of filling them with a liquid, or a gel, while enroute to my destination. [/SNL skit]

[bdhill1979]

Considering the average education level of a TSA screener, they might no make the distinction of "empty". My buddy mailed his MSR bottle with other camping equipment in a package to himself (costing like $6) when he flew to Alaska last summer. Saved the headache.

On a side note: Yes, California should apologize for what they call cheese.

[OldTownPilot]

No can go.

They think the residue will be able to blow up an airplane. Seriously. Not even in checked baggage.

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by OldTownPilot

No can go.

They think the residue will be able to blow up an airplane. Seriously. Not even in checked baggage.

Is it technically HAZMAT, then? Because if they're that concerned, then it should be labeled as some sort of HAZMAT. I'm guessing they're just tards, though.

[bdhill1979]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I'm guessing they're just tards, though.

[Fly4Pay]

Originally Posted by Swen

...And I have no intention of filling them with a liquid, or a gel, while enroute to my destination. [/SNL skit]

VERY nice.....

[kmiller]

Speaking as a non-average TSA employee; and by that I mean an actually college graduate with a degree in a hard science, that would be considered HAZMAT. It's really up to the airline if they would allow it to travel or not; they have the final call on things like that because they have to sign for it. And when that happens, it's out of the hands of TSA. When it comes to HAZMAT, especially those that have a HMIS label....they usually say it can't go; regardless if it's empty or not. You'll be suprised though, some employees; airline and TSA don't know how to interpret a HMIS label or even not know what it is. I've seen airlines deny brand new gas chainsaw still in the box and factory sealed; why you ask, because of quality control. Some companies test them out before they leave the factory, and you have to test it w/ fuel and oil; so the fuel/oily smell was still present.

[Swen]

Thanks for the replies. Its looking like I'll have to do the FedEx thing...somehow.

[OldTownPilot]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

Is it technically HAZMAT, then? Because if they're that concerned, then it should be labeled as some sort of HAZMAT. I'm guessing they're just tards, though.

I don't know. All I know is when I had to deal with those yahoos at my old job. Lots of people come camping in Maine so I had to ask if they had any fuel bottles, camping stoves etc. that have any way of having fuel residue on them go in the checked baggage. they always pulled the well XXX TSA let me bring them here so why are your rules different.

Gawd i love not having to deal with stupid airline passengers anymore.

[kmiller]

Trust me when I tell you I want out of TSA so badly. I just stayed around because it was helping me pay for school. Now I'm trying to find a real job.

[Cruise]

Originally Posted by kmiller

Trust me when I tell you I want out of TSA so badly. I just stayed around because it was helping me pay for school. Now I'm trying to find a real job.

Welcome to JC. Also, congrats on finishing school. I doubt you'll find many fans of the TSA here.......although, it'll be nice to actually have an 'insider's viewpoint' on many subjects. Even if the TSA does appear to be completely reactionary, incompetent and generally not very useful. Along those lines, I'm curious, do they teach you smoke and mirror tricks when you get hired.

Seriously, I hope you continue to participate in the forums.

[RABIRZA69]

one other option that might work is to leave them uncapped I'm not sure if that's a pressurized bottle or not but if it is, uncap it if possible and it may fly no pun intended

[jtrain609]

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if this stuff is legitly HAZMAT, it SHOULD be marked, and packaged as such. If it really COULD take down an aircraft on it's own merit, I don't want it sitting in somebody's back under me. Value Jet lost a plane that way.

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by Swen

Thanks for the replies. Its looking like I'll have to do the FedEx thing...somehow.

And thus the reason I really don't want to go work for Fed Ex or UPS. Not knowing what the average Joe Schmoe puts on their airplane scares the bejesus out of me.

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if this stuff is legitly HAZMAT, it SHOULD be marked, and packaged as such. If it really COULD take down an aircraft on it's own merit, I don't want it sitting in somebody's back under me. Value Jet lost a plane that way.

Exactly. It IS HAZMAT. In the Navy, they always taught if you can't drink it, it's probably some type of HAZMAT. Even residue can be dangerous when you're dealing with flammable materials. No thanks. I wouldn't want that on my airplane. A bunch of vapors in an enclosed bottle...just need something to go wrong in the baggage area and you have a big problem.

[jtrain609]

Exactly. When you're carrying stuff like this every day you start to become a little bit more in tune with what can go wrong.

[Tram]

Originally Posted by Swen

...And I have no intention of filling them with a liquid, or a gel, while enroute to my destination. [/SNL skit]

But you are confident that you could produce 3 ounces of liquid... orr gel.. during the flight?

[Swen]

Originally Posted by RABIRZA69

one other option that might work is to leave them uncapped I'm not sure if that's a pressurized bottle or not but if it is, uncap it if possible and it may fly no pun intended

A common person would at least think it would...

Originally Posted by jtrain609

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that if this stuff is legitly HAZMAT, it SHOULD be marked, and packaged as such. If it really COULD take down an aircraft on it's own merit, I don't want it sitting in somebody's back under me. Value Jet lost a plane that way.

I see you clearly, but my bottles will have nothing in them.