TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Inflatable PFD question

What is the best way to get an inflatable PFD from the US to the BVI? Flying into EIS. Can we put these in our checked luggage? I am pretty sure they cannot go in carryon luggage.

We brought two in 2013.....not sure why....I guess because because they were sitting there with our boating stuff. We packed them in our checked luggage. They didn't make the trip in 2014 and likely won't make the next trips either.

We bring them if we're double-handing in the open-ocean, otherwise not.

Not really needed if you're in a big charter cat filled with people and sailing from bar to bar around Drake Channel.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

We've had the CO2 cartridges confiscated at the airport... on the way back thank goodness. Best done in checked baggage.

Not on a Cat, but on a 50.5 monohull. For a 13 year old grandson who will be our "crew " We promised his mom he would have one, and I know he will not wear the red ones supplied in the boat. He is new to sailing and we thought this was a good compromise, at least until he gets his sea legs. Besides, on our boat, if we are in any heavy weather, all who might go topside wear PFDs.

Glad to hear that the PFDs made it through in checked bags.

TSA now allows PFD and C02 cartridges to be in carry on or checked. We have carried ours the past two years, you have to present the PFD and C02 together. You are allowed 2 cartridges in the jacket and 2 spares per jacket. We carry a copy of the TSA pamphlet to show the agents. It usually takes a supervisor to explain as not all agents are aware the rules changed a few years back. You can get a copy of the pamphlet from the TSA website. Putting C02 in your checked bag risks an uninformed agent taking them out.

It appears as though TSA allows both carry on and checked bags with PFD's with CO2. You might want to print a copy of TSA allowed items to show the nice agent at security in case they question the CO2 cartridges.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items

Kevin

TTOL rocks! Thanks for the info!

Great compromise and great idea - If he were my grandson he'd have one on at all times under sail and I'd make him inflate it once on board and jump in once and inflate it so he gets a feel for how to do it and what to expect.........but that is just the over protective type I am! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

You should also check with your airline. They may have more restrictive policies than TSA. Per US Airways website "Compressed gas cylinders are not permitted for travel on US Airways. They are considered a hazardous material and US Airways does not ship such materials. Passengers considering air travel with a compressed air or CO2 system should be advised to consider shipping the system to their destination."

My wife just flew from Minneapolis to STT (via Atlanta) on Delta. She had her PFD in carry-on. The TSA woman in Minneapolis stopped my wife and pulled out the PFD. My wife showed her the printout of the TSA regs that allow cartridges. She was confused and got her supervisor. The supervisor was better informed and said "No problem. have a nice day."

Have flown US Airways from Canada to STT and back five times with a checked PFD and spare cartridges. Always have carried the TSA information on CO2 cartridges as part of a PFD and was only questioned once but have always been permitted to carry as checked baggage. The TSA regulations do clearly indicate it is at the discretion of the carrier to permit or deny. From US Airlines website and others experience, US Airways seems to include them on the non-permitted list as dangerous cargo.
Seems to really depend on the security agent doing the screening.
There is also the option of carrying an unarmed PFD in your luggage and purchase a CO2 cartridge in STT if you have the time to do so.

Keep in mind that USAIR or American with the merger will not be inspecting your carry on bags. TSA will check your bags and make sure they comply with TSA rules. As mentioned carry a copy of the TSA reg concerning this. TSA enforcement varies extensively from airport to airport and officer to officer so sometimes you have to educate them on their own regulations.
George

Considering that the FAA actually REQUIRES a CO2 inflatable PFD to be underneath every seat on the airplane, for flights over water, it is kind of idiotic for US Airways to say they aren't going to allow them.

You are trying to apply logic to the airline world. It will only frustrate you!
G

Yes that is true but I think you are looking at it the wrong way. They also carry high pressure oxygen bottles, chemical O2 generators, HP cylinders in rafts, flares in survival kits and a lot of other things that you wouldn't want every passenger to have in their carry-ons.