Flying in the US with ABS pack

Anyone have any experience flying within the US with an ABS pack? The information I've gathered so far is very confusing. According to the IATA site (near the bottom), they state that Avalanche Rescue Backpacks are permitted.

I called the TSA and was pointed to the Compressed Gas Cylinders page. It was explained to me that only empty compressed gas cylinders are allowed in carry on or checked bags. I then mentioned the IATA regulations and was told that since I will not be traveling internationally, that those regulations do not apply. I asked to speak with a TSA supervisor and was told he will call me back (not holding my breath on that one).

So my questions to you are... Has anyone attempted to travel within the US with an ABS pack (specifically looking at the Vario line)? What was your experience? Did you get any pre-clearance from the airline or TSA?

Any other helpful information would be greatly appreciated.

I have no 1st hand knowledge with this issue, but I do know that dealing with the TSA is a waste of time/losing proposition. You're better off UPS-ing the canisters to a location and taking the canister-less pack on the plane. Even if you did somehow manage to get special clearance, they would still probably stop you, make calls, call the president, etc. and you would still hand over the cnister in the end.

I just read a blog post of a guy who was stopped by the TSA because they didn't believe his macbook air was a laptop. They said what laptop is this thin, didn't have a disk drive, and didn't have ports. In other words, I think your not gunna have the best luck.

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Originally Posted by sfotex

You're better off UPS-ing the canisters to a location and taking the canister-less pack on the plane.

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Dunno that UPS would be all that happy taking canisters. Postal services certainly don't like Dangerous Goods. In Australia I couldn't ship mine anywhere full. Compressed gas isn't allowed to be sent by mail, although biological Dangerous Goods are :rolleyes: .

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Originally Posted by Toby

Dunno that UPS would be all that happy taking canisters. Postal services certainly don't like Dangerous Goods. In Australia I couldn't ship mine anywhere full. Compressed gas isn't allowed to be sent by mail, although biological Dangerous Goods are :rolleyes: .

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UPS ground will take it, dunno about shipping outside the US though.

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Originally Posted by sfotex

UPS ground will take it, dunno about shipping outside the US though.

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I spoke to a retailer here in the states that was only offering the pack for in-person pick up. He said the DOT requires a dangerous goods permit (something along those lines) to even ship it via ground transport. He also said if he got caught shipping it without the permit it would be a $30,000 fine.

[fingers crossed]I ordered one from a Canadian retailer and I'm having it shipped directly to my destination.[/fingers crossed] I still have to figure out a way to bring it home.

Here's the UPS link, might be worth calling them:

http://www.ups.com/content/us/en/res...?WT.svl=SubNav

Surcharge isn't cheap ($20), but it's cheaper then a funeral...

So how'd it work?

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

So how'd it work?

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Funny you should ask as I just got back last night.

I had the pack shipped to my hotel in Valdez to avoid any issues on the outbound flight. I thought about shipping only the canister back home, but decided to try my luck flying with it since several Europeans I spoke with reported no problems flying with it and I figured TSA in Anchorage would be used to seeing these.

I disassembled the canister and trigger handle from the pack, put the canister back in the styrofoam packaging and put everything into my checked gear bag.

My gamble worked and I didn't have any problems. Maybe I was lucky and it was just missed or maybe they're just used to seeing these in Anchorage. I'm still leery of trying to fly with this on my outbound trip as problems with TSA then could lead to loss of use on a trip, but flying home the only loss would be monetary (and a TSA hassles).

If anyone else has any experiences in the future, it would be great to hear them as well.

Ive heard no- Thats one of the reasons you don't see them in the US, yurpean manufactures can not ship them economically. Its only hearsay though

i tried to order one last year and the company could not get it to me as the shipping details never worked out. they finally decidied i would have to drive to canada to get it. this may be good reason to get a Snowpulse pack as it is compressed air and can be refilled easily. i bought a snowpulse, this being one of many reasons.