Flying to PNW with avalanche airbag

**thecazdog** · 12-09-2018, 06:00 PM

I've got a Mammut 3.0 pack and was hoping to bring in my Carbon canister (nitrogen, cannot be emptied)...I take it getting into Canada isn't a problem, but I change planes in LAX on the way.

Any chance of some TSA loser not taking it from me, despite having all the right documents and airline approval? Anyplace to get the carbon cylinders in Canada?

**wstdeep** · 12-09-2018, 06:40 PM

Chance of losing it...at least moderate, maybe considerable. Especially if you hit a thin spot.

Damn I wish I had a carbon canister.

**Sessiøn** · 12-09-2018, 10:55 PM

Despite the IATA’s approval, any airline
operator is entitled to refuse to transport the cartridge.

**cat in january** · 12-10-2018, 06:19 AM

If you need to go through a tsa screening you will loose it.

**Jonathan S.** · 12-10-2018, 06:54 AM

IATA is only an industry trade association, not a governmental regulatory body.
In the U.S., what flies is determined by TSA, not the IATA or your particular airline carrier.

**cmcrawfo** · 12-10-2018, 07:12 AM

Can we go back to why it can’t be emptied?

**cat in january** · 12-10-2018, 07:52 AM

I think the problem in the US at least is that since DOT has not sanctioned the carbon canisters, no one will fill them.

**cmcrawfo** · 12-10-2018, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by cat in january

I think the problem in the US at least is that since DOT has not sanctioned the carbon canisters, no one will fill them.

Ah. In that case, I totally get why people want them

**Sessiøn** · 12-10-2018, 09:30 AM

As someone who has flown for years with compressed air systems. The only way to do it hassle free is empty and with the regulator removed.

**californiagrown** · 12-10-2018, 10:52 AM

Why cant it be emptied? Just have to find a dive shop upon arrival to fill it back up, right?

**cmcrawfo** · 12-10-2018, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by californiagrown

Why cant it be emptied? Just have to find a dive shop upon arrival to fill it back up, right?

As it was filled once already, your logic would seem sound.

Apparently, not all dive shops are willing to roll the dice and pressurize and uncertified canister.

Again, begging the question of why even bother.

Use ability > grams

**hutash** · 12-10-2018, 11:37 AM

US TSA will not allow it even though the Euros will. Don't know about Canada. Check with Canadian shops about refilling it. I just gave up and rented a canister on my last trip to Whistler.

If your bag is checked through to Canada you might make it. It seems like you have to claim your bags at LAX, go through customs and then recheck your bags. Don't know why, but that seems to American system. Any time I change planes anywhere else in the world my bags are checked through. If you are flying a foreign airline for both legs, you might be fine, but beware of code shares, the LAX/Canada leg might be a US carrier, and US carriers and TSA do not like compressed gases.

**mrkbrnblm** · 12-10-2018, 12:00 PM

First flight I took my empty aluminum cylinder on, the TSA took it. It was empty, had a gauge and a note labeling it as such, and had appropriate paperwork. Given how expensive and hard to get the carbon cylinders are, I wouldn't risk it even if it were empty. If you do decide to empty it and risk the flight, there is a way to refill it yourself, though it's of course incredibly impractical. I was told by a Mammut rep that this is legit and works just as well with the carbon cylinders.

**thecazdog** · 12-10-2018, 08:36 PM

Thanks for all the replies - not going to risk it. Will buy/hire in Vancouver.

**hutash** · 12-10-2018, 09:10 PM

another option is to mail it and bypass the US entirely

**gavinski91** · 12-10-2018, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by hutash

another option is to mail it and bypass the US entirely

This. I've got an address you can ship to, I'm sure other mags would be willing to help out as well (probably closer to whatever airport you're flying in to as well).

**lettuce_1** · 12-12-2018, 05:47 PM

TSA doesn't like what TSA doesn't understand. Which is most things.

**Sessiøn** · 12-12-2018, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by lettuce_1

TSA doesn't like what TSA doesn't understand. Which is most things.

TSA completely understands. They see thousands of compressed air tanks a year go through them. Skiers new to compressed air don't understand you can't fly with your bottle full or the reg even on.

**hutash** · 12-13-2018, 03:50 PM

The point is that you can in most f the rest of the world.

**cmcrawfo** · 12-13-2018, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by hutash

The point is that you can in most f the rest of the world.

Freedom comes at price

**cat in january** · 12-14-2018, 03:49 AM

canisters can be mailed, but taking a risk there as not legal without a whole bunch of paperwork and certification to mail compressed gas. In other words possible it could be a problem in the mail too although I have had them mailed through uncertified sources.