[pct-l] flying with gear (stoves)

[Junaid Dawud]

I once had to argue with a TSA guy for 20 minutes
before he let me take my snowpeak gigapower (canister
stove w/out canister) on the plane.  I finally
convinced him, but it was no easy task.  From this
I've learned that getting a sticker that says
something like "certified clean on ??/??/????, by
___________" helps.  Also, I put my pack in my
sleeping bag storage bag to protect the straps and
discourage excessive searching.  I also have gotten in
the habit of noting any items that might get the Xray
scanners attention, and then I write a nice note to
the TSA listing these items and explaining their
importance to my trip and the irreplaceable
sentimental and practical value they have to me.  I
also put them near the top of the pack.  If you have
anything that a TSA agent MIGHT get funny about, check
it.  

-----------speshul41


--- Bob Bankhead <wandering_bob at comcast.net> wrote:

> Straps can get caught. So can anything on the
> outside of the pack - trekking poles (be sure the
> tips are shielded), sleeping pads, etc.). Ice axes
> will probably require a separate box (to protect the
> baggage handlers); check with your airline. Tighten
> all straps, especially the shoulder straps. Wrap the
> extra strap lengths around themselves and tuck or
> tie them. Buckle your hip belt across the FRONT of
> your pack and cinch it down. Cold welds are not
> required, just snug enough so they don't flop
> around. For better protection, put your pack in a
> duffel of some sort. I use the cheapest thing I can
> find and discard it at my destination. I'll buy
> another for the trip home. Out of sight means things
> are less likely to "disappear".
> 
> Busted for matches? Why defy the rules for something
> you could easily pick up at the airport  or a local
> store when you get off the plane? If the TSA
> inspectors see something during their X-ray
> inspection that looks like matches or a lighter,
> they'll most likely open the pack to check it. What
> will they do then - confiscate the item(s) or call
> you back to address it? Will they even look that
> closely or not - who knows; depends on who you get
> and what's going on at the time. 
> 
> In today's airport security environment and "cover
> my _ _ _" workplace procedures, it's just not worth
> it. I won't even take my Esbit tablets aboard a
> plane, and they're harder to ignite than the
> cardboard and paper that goes in those luggage
> compartments. 
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