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PFDs, FAA & TSA

Safety At Sea - TSA Permits CO2 Cylinders through Security Checkpoints beginning August 4, 2007.
 
Updated August 7, 2007

TSA PERMITS CO2 CYLINDERS
Effective August 4, 2007, the TSA again permits the CO2 cylinders with an Inflatable PFD through
their security checkpoints. The permission process this time went through the White House and Congress. It is expected that this approval will stay in place much longer due to a much broader approval process. TSA Screeners across the United States have been trained already and are prepared to let these through. Look under "Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items" for specifics: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Remember though, it is still each airlines choice whether to allow these on their airplanes and each sets their own policies (roughly 1/2 allow them and 1/2 don't). Check with your airline (and connecting or return flights) or their websites to make sure they allow them before you travel.


WHAT ALTERNATE METHODS OF SHIPPING YOUR CO2 CYLINDERS DO YOU HAVE?

  • Preferred - Ship your CO2 cylinders via an air package company to your sailing destination.  They normally accept these devices, though you must declare them as a Hazardous Material/Dangerous Good.  Then when done sailing, return your CO2 cylinders via the air package company to your home.
  • Leave your CO2 cylinders at home, check ahead that local chandleries at your sailing destination carry your type of CO2 cartridge, buy replacements at your sailing destination, then dispose of them before returning home, then re-install your original CO2 cylinders at home.
  • If you attempt to carry the CO2 cylinders with you on a commercial aircraft, either as carry on, or checked baggage, without declaring the hazardous material, be prepared to face federal charges.

Carrying Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) with you on Commercial Aircraft can be a distressing event.  It is best that you plan in advance before going to the airport.


WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

The charged carbon dioxide (CO2) cartridge on the inflatable is a Hazardous Material as defined by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Hazardous Material Regulation (49CFR175) and also a Dangerous Good as defined by the International Air Transportation Association (IATA).  These same rules apply whether you take your inflatable as carry-on or check it through.  The Regulation requires that you declare the hazardous material prior to boarding the aircraft.  There is a 49CFR175.10, Exception 25 in the USDOT Regulation that allows the carriage of a charged inflatable PFD (one PFD per passenger and one spare cartridge), but leaves the final decision to the Individual Air Carriers whether or not to accept them on the airplanes they own.  IATA has almost identical wording.  If the airline forbids the carriage, do not take the CO2 cylinders with.  If the airline accepts the carriage, follow the airlines rules. 

WHAT ALTERNATE METHODS OF SHIPPING YOUR CO2 CYLINDERS
DO YOU HAVE?

If you get rejected at the gate even with this documentation, some people have turned their PFD's into the lost baggage counter at baggage claim, and upon return to their home airport, picked up their PFD.

In the spring of 2006, we contacted the top 10 air carriers in the U.S. to learn what their policy was concerning the carriage of CO2 cylinders.  6 of them clearly had their policy on their websites accepting them on their aircraft.  1 policy was unclear, we called them and learned that their policy is that if the FAA says it is ok, it is ok with them.  We said that the policy was unclear to their clients, and it would be helpful if they state their policy clearly.  They said they wouldn't do that, and would prefer that we do not advise sailors to call their management to get a clear reading on their policy.  1 clearly wrote on their website that they were not allowed, and our request that they change their policy was not effective.  2 made it clear that they did not allow them on their airplanes.  We requested that both change their policies, 1 elected to change, the other elected to maintain their policy to keep the CO2 cylinders off of their airplanes.  Approximately 7 hours of volunteer time went into this research.

We explain the previous paragraph to show that the airlines policies are fluid, that maintaining a list of those who accept and those who won't is futile.  Imagine how much time it would take to cover all domestic, international, national, and regional air carriers to not only learn what their policy is, but to spend time with those that don't and convince them that they could make more money by serving the sailors! 

LET US KNOW YOUR EXPERIENCE

If you have comments or experiences with this matter, please send them to us (we share these stories with the U.S. Coast Guard to promote their involvement in asking the USDOT to change their Regulations):