Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board TSA policy regarding stoves and fuel containers

Since it doesn't seem to have been addressed in depth since the latest UK terrorist plot, I thought it might be a good time to revisit the changes in TSA restrictions/regulations.

A few observations:

1.) The primary change is that all gels and liquids are banned from carry on with very few exceptions, although some medically related liquids, baby foods, etc. are allowed. *In theory*, this shouldn't have an effect on transporting stoves or empty fuel containers, although from previous posts it seems that stoves and/or fuel containers are confiscated on a pretty regular basis.

2.) No flammable substances of any kind (liquid/gas/gel/solid/bic lighters/waterproof matches) are allowed on any flight, regardless of how or where they are packed. Exceptions: up to two filled Zippo lighters packed in DOT approved cases are allowed in checked luggage only, up to 4 books of standard (not waterproof/strike anywhere) matches are allowed as carry on. Although not technically allowed, Esbit seems to make it through pretty commonly--I'm not condoning this, just an observation based on statements of others.

3.) All types of backpacking stove fuel can be sent through the mail and picked up at your destination upon your arrival. In a nutshell, fuel can travel on the ground, but not in the air, this link has some ideas:

http://www.thru-hiker.com/articles.asp?subcat=2&cid=50

4.) The existing rules specify that stoves and empty fuel containers that have no residual vapors (meaning thoroughly cleaned and bone dry)are allowed in checked luggage. As far as I can tell, they aren't specifically banned from carry on, either, but are sometimes confiscated at security checkpoints even if empty and clean. Although not officially indicated by the list of prohibited items, some stoves are apparently singled out to be removed from luggage (ex. MSR Whisperlite) and are more prone to searches.

5.) The complete list of TSA allowed/prohibited items is available by following the below link: (On a lighter note, one should be particularly pleased to discover that "Toy Transformer Robots" are allowed both as carry on and checked luggage...not making this up, folks, see for yourself!)

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

7.) If you plan to mail anything to yourself, it looks like the Lone Pine Post Office closes at 5 PM on Friday, doesn't open again until 9 AM Monday, and is closed on Federal holidays, so based on when you are hitting the trail, this might not be an option.

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That's about all I know--anyone have any horror stories or ideas that have worked well on recent trips? I'd sure hate to see anyone's expensive stove end up in the trash with countless other dangerous items such as ever-so-scary water and lip gloss (terror-flavored)...

-InYo

P.S. What happened to 6, you ask? Good question, 6 was scared of 7 because 7, 8, 9...

Good information!

As for liquid fuel stoves with pumps like the MSR Whisperlite: If I were to try to pack it in my luggage, I would pack three parts separately:
1. The fuel bottle, empty without a stopper or pump.
2. The burner assembly, valve opened so all fuel can drain out of the connection tube.
3. The pump, removed from the fuel bottle, valve opened, and NOT connected to the burner assembly.

I think an inspector would be less likely to be alarmed if he or she found just the parts of the stove.

Here is a sorry story from last year:<a href=http://www.whitneyportalstore.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004090#000010> Topic: Couple of Logistical Questions...</a>

The TSA page is here: <a href=http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1187.shtm>TSA: Traveling with Special Items</a>

Thanks for starting very useful thread.

But, what the real official rules are, and how they are implemented are two different things!!!!

I travel a lot and have had the following camp/hike experiences. Not all these are fuel-related but it might be helpful to everyone.

In the past, checked luggage just got sent off. Now it gets Xrayed or sniffed or opened near where you are checking in. The extra time and aggravation means you better allow even more time for the check-in process because the checked luggage is getting checked. Here's why

empty fuel bottles pulled out and confiscated. Several years ago. Not tried since. USA

empty/dry stove pulled out and required to be shipped separately. I just mail it ahead of time now. $4.85 Priority Mail. USA

3-legged camp stools pulled out and examined. But then I was allowed to take them after they were identified. They didn't like the looks of the screws holding them together(!) USA

old books (with metal or lead containing ink) fail XRAY and be examined, but then allowed in checked luggage only. Ugh, gotta have reading material. UK

zip lock bags of white powder (dry potato flakes) opened and examined. Fortunately, I had a complete list of supplies written in Spanish. They just laughed when they read it. Mexico

boots removed from bags and cleaned to prevent ecological damage. They were very prompt and polite and returned my now-purple boots in 10 minutes. New Zealand

ornamental small knife handle and blade made of fish-bone not allowed in carry-on (seen on Xray despite no metal). They were nice enough to allow me to put it a bag and have a stewardess carry it on, put it up front on the plane, and return it to me 9 hrs later when I deplaned! Argentina.

Interestingly, I have never had crampons or ice axes questioned on Xray - presumably because they are recognizable.

Probably more....Harvey

Not that it was totally legal, but I've actually boarded planes with my stove and "fuel" several times in the past couple years. The stove isn't identifiable as such. It's a homemade alcohol stove, really just a couple of coke cans. They can't complain much about that. The "fuel" I've boarded with is 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol. It isn't ideal, but it's a lot easier than finding a hardware store once I get off the plane in a country where I don't speak the language. Of course, this might be part of the reason liquids aren't allowed in carry-ons anymore.

Maybe one day I'll be able to pull this trick again.

thanks for the thread!I'm flying over on Sunday(3rd)to walk part of the JMT and was a bit worried 'bout taking my whisperlite with me!I've dismantled the stove and will take the advice of Steve C and leave the stopper out of the bottle.will let you all know how things go when I get back to the UK!!

....macdee

I can see being able to THOROUGHLY clean a stove to get rid of residual odors/fuel before a trip but if your timing is tight on the return end of things I don't know if a gasoline-odor impregnated stove can be cleaned and also dry for a flight home. I guess this could be a ritual sacrifice and just expect to lose it?????

If you're using Coleman fuel rather than gasoline, it doesn't have much residual odor. It is distilled better than gasoline. And like I said above -- separate the bottle, pump and burner, and open all the valves! Do this immediately after you use the stove for the last time. You can shake the fuel out of the tubes after you open the valves, and then all the odors will evaporate sooner.

Does anyone out there know the exact process security uses to detect flammable substances? I've seen them wipe my luggage with a little chemical test, have heard stories of dogs detecting explosives, and I assume manual searches play a part, but I don't know much else. Do any chemicals show up in X-rays? Maybe if we understood the exact process involved in detection, it would help in determining the best way to avoid problems.

Fred98055, maybe a way around trying to quickly clean, dry, and take apart your stove after your trip could be to plan on flying with the stove to your destination, but then mailing it back home after your trip--I'll bet you could even mail it from the airport if you had to. It sounds a lot easier to pick up your stuff at your house (open 24/7) than a post office with limited hours. Ritual sacrifice never seemed like a good idea to me, I've always tried to avoid it at all costs!

Macdee, good luck, let us know what you end up doing and how it works!

it is a big aggravation to have your checked luggage pulled outside, no matter whether they detect metal, odd parts, or fuel residue using people, xrays, dogs, chemical swipes, or gas chromotography sniffers.

so I could just buy a new stove every time I travel, or just mail it ahead of time for minimum price Priority Mail $4.85. I send myself a piece of brown paper and some tape in the first box so I have something left to return it in. You can always mail it to non-post office location, such as hotel or climbing store, or whatever, just call and let them know to look for your name on the package to their address.

It's silly, your potential threat stove may end up as cargo on a passenger plane. Just not your own.

Hi,

Would be interested in any experiences given the recent increase in security alert on both sides of the Atlantic.

Would prefer to either mail back or ditch Trangia burner rather than contaminate rucksack full of gear which would, I suspect have to be ditched if traces of meths (denatured alcohol) contaminated the pack.

Thanks

The weekend after the terrorist threat incident, I flew from Phoenix to Sacramento for a Mt. Shasta climb. The restrictions had just taken effect the days previously.

Maybe I was lucky, but I had my Pocket Rocket in my backpack which was in a large duffel bag. No problems with it, had a bic lighter in there as well. All was in my Snow-Peak cookset, the way I usually carry it. I had no problems.

Also I'm in the Air Force and a Munitions guy, I deal with Ammo all day long, from built up to expended. I've never had a problem when they swab any of my stuff. I've even had my regular backpack that I bring to and from work every day swabbed once, I thought for sure the thing was going to go off.

Like I said though, maybe I'm lucky, I wouldn't try bringing a canister, but I'll take the chance with my pocket rocket.

Maybe they are just more strict with the white gas type stoves?

I'm flying "up north" in a few days. Packing a Simmerlite and a couple of empty fuel bottles. Alaska Airlines said, in response to a telephone call, that's OK as long are they are in checked baggage.

Will let every one know how it turned out when I get back.

Had no problem at all, flying Alaska Airlines LAX to SEA and back. On both legs, I rinsed the bottles out with water only.

I did put the Simmerlite in its original cardboard box, so they could see that it really was a stove. For the return trip, since it had been used the previous day, there was still a faint odor of white gas from the pump.

Thanks, Bob R!

I'm interested to hear what our friends from "across the pond" have to say about their experience.

> I'm interested to hear what our friends from "across the pond" have to say about their experience.

This thread continues here: <a href=/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005310> Topic: Stoves & Airport Security</a>