Traveling with tanks

[lottie]

This doesn't actually pertain to me or my situation, but....i thought that someone out there might answer my question or it might be useful for someone.

Okay, so i've just had a look on Virgin Atlantics website and went on the sports equipment page and they mention about scuba tanks - that it has to be empty to ensure safe handling.

But, I'm sure i remember reading in my dive manuals that it's not a good idea to have a tank completely empty as it can cause internal condensation.

So what do you do...have the tank completely empty for the airline? or have just a tiny bit of compressed air in it?

One confused Lottie

[The Publisher]

No compressed air at all, travelers must remove the valve too. They will not take a cylinder with a closed valve on it. They think it will be full of a bio-weapon, and divers will unleash it upon unsuspecting holiday travelers.

Airlines are quite dry environments, it is when you release the air to empty the tank too quickly that you can get condensation. Likewise, if the tank is cold, and you take it out empty with no valve into a warm, humid environment, you could theoretically cause condensation to occur.

[BamaCaveDiver]

Do the airlines allow the plastic plugs to be inserted? I know the valves must be removed, but if someone was careful draining and plug it, chances are it would be okay for air fills until they returned home where they could do a proper cleaning. I see it as easier to just rent cylinders at the destination, but I have always been curious about plugging one.

[The Publisher]

It is hit or miss on plastic plugs. I had a Transportation Insecurity Administration type tell me that I could not pass my empty capped 13cf pony tank through check in, as if I open the cap, I could release a bio-agent. I told him the same could be said for when I open my same pelican case, but reasoning with these guys is a waste.

[Bill22]

I don't know if I know anyone who has ever flown with tanks. As has already been mentioned you have to drain the tank and remove the valve, which increases the risk of damage to your tank (ie.. corrosion). At least in the states, I think most dive shops are going to want a VIP before they will fill the tank, if it's empty, just to be on the safe side. Between the cost of that and the weight (in this part of the world you only get 20 kilos) it just makes more sense to rent when you get there. Renting I think is relatively cheap most places compared to what you're paying for everything else. Just my two cent's

[Mountain Dog]

If you empty a tank and remove the valve, haven't you just invalidated the visual inspection? Which means to get it filled you would have to get a new viz at your destination, and then another one after your return flight home?

I have never flown with my tanks either. Given this issue, coupled with the soaring cost of getting luggage on a plane, taking your own tanks is not even an option. I wish it wasn't so. I would much rather dive my steel 100's than the ubiquitous al80.

Mountain Dog

[BamaCaveDiver]

It is hit or miss on plastic plugs. I had a Transportation Insecurity Administration type tell me that I could not pass my empty capped 13cf pony tank through check in, as if I open the cap, I could release a bio-agent. I told him the same could be said for when I open my same pelican case, but reasoning with these guys is a waste.

That is pretty much what I would expect, but then I have heard of those who taped their cylinders and they allowed them to pass through. I personally would not trust taping to prevent much more than large particles entering, but it is some protection.

I don't know if I know anyone who has ever flown with tanks.

I have known a couple of RB divers that have done, but they were enroute to very remote locations where the cylinders they required (or at least something close enough to suffice) just were not available. They did clean their cylinders upon arrival, as best they could.

If you empty a tank and remove the valve, haven't you just invalidated the visual inspection?

Technically yes, but you have to remember that cylinder inspection is an industry standard; it is not law. Some locations outside the US will follow along, others will not; some remote locations will scare the crap out of anyone with an ounce of common sense, but true junkies will always do what they must to get their fix

[Bill22]

It is hit or miss on plastic plugs. I had a Transportation Insecurity Administration type tell me that I could not pass my empty capped 13cf pony tank through check in, as if I open the cap, I could release a bio-agent. I told him the same could be said for when I open my same pelican case, but reasoning with these guys is a waste.

Those guys really irritated me the last time that I was in the states. I was coming home after spending almost three years in the middle east and could not believe the total lack of commonsense they had. I was especially irritated when I saw them making a young Army guy who was in uniform take off his boots. My youngest brother who just left the Army has done 3 tours in Iraq. What a slap in the face this is. I was treated worse in the US than anywhere else that I have travelled including the middle east.

[hbh2oguard]

That's sad to hear but it's now a fact of life. If someone in a uniform (army, or what ever) isn't checked just like everyone else on a commericial flight then the "terrorists" will exploit that.

[Bill22]

That's sad to hear but it's now a fact of life. If someone in a uniform (army, or what ever) isn't checked just like everyone else on a commericial flight then the "terrorists" will exploit that.

Intrestingly when I was traveling through commercial airports in the middle east, my US Military ID card got me waived through. Obviously not the case in my own country. At least in the middle east they understand that members of the US military are not going to hijack civilian aircraft and fly them into buildings.

Apparently a flight crew uniform gets more respect than a military uniform. Flight crews who are in uniform are not made to take off their shoes. I was running late for a flight once, and they took me through the flight crews entrance. They just showed their ID, walked through the metal detector and picked up their bag on the other side of the x-ray. No one had to take off their shoes.