Flying with a PFD

beat2quarters · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Is anyone aware of any airline restrictions for flying with an inflatable hydrostatic PFD in your luggage...carry on or hold?

tommays · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Google "compressed gas flying restrictions"

Small compressed gas cartridges
(Up to 2 in life vests and 2 spares) Yes

eherlihy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Flying with Self-Inflating PFDs: Uncertain Limits Remain with Carriage of Life Jacket CO2 Cylinders

The article is copyrighted up the wazoo, but it answers your question. In essence, it depends on the carrier. The TSA, however, has to allow you to bring them through the checkpoint. Refer to Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 175.10 (25).

T34C · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Maybe you should just ask to borrow one of the inflatable PFDs already on the plane?

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

This has been discussed in previous threads and there seems to be a wide range of responses as to yes/no and who makes that call.

Personal experience is an emphatic NO, not allowed, despite there being several hundred of these same cartridges in the cabin already, in the emergency vests under the seat. Bureaucratic "logic"........

beat2quarters · #6 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Thanks guys, T34C - you mean the seat cushion..!!

JohnRPollard · #7 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

I always inflate mine before boarding. I doubt I'd have the presence of mind to pull the chord if the plane was going down.

AllThumbs · #8 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnRPollard

I always inflate mine before boarding. I doubt I'd have the presence of mind to pull the chord if the plane was going down.

Actually, you are supposed to wait until the plane has crashed into the ocean, and you are out of the fuselage and in the water to inflate it. If you don't, you will not be able to swim out of a sinking fuselage because you will be stuck to the ceiling due of the flotation of the life vest.

As to the OP question, I haven't a clue.

Eric

sailordave · #9 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

Up to the individual airlines. ("with the permission of the aircraft operator") or something to that effect reads the CFR.

Now they have flip-flopped several times on this but the last I heard was it could be in carry on OR checked luggage.
Call the airline. JetBlue won't allow them. SouthWest did the last time I flew.

jimmytc · #10 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008

You can check the regulations on the internet.
I always fly with mine.
ALWAYS an issue though......
Best is to have a copy of the regulations at hand when you check in.