Airline security and dlsr chemicals

[Picture North Carolina]

I ordered a sensor cleaning kit containing chemicals and swabs.

While on the BH website, I noticed some kits had a disclaimer that they could not be shipped because of regulations - that they were restricted to in-store retail sales only.

It seems to me that if some sensor cleaning chemicals are restricted from shipping, they could also be restricted by airline security.

Question: if a bottle of sensor cleaner is packed in the carryon baggage, is there a possibility that the tsa folks are going to ask me to toss it in the trash can? Is it better packed with the check-in luggage and/or is it restricted there also?

thanks.

[mazzer]

Question: if a bottle of sensor cleaner is packed in the carryon baggage, is there a possibility that the tsa folks are going to ask me to toss it in the trash can?
It's flammable. Any flammable liquid is barred from carry-on AND checked luggage.

However, if you check a tiny bottle of it, will they confiscate it? Likely not. But DON'T carry it on.

[IamRoger]

I forgot my tiny bottle last week was in my carry on camera bag. Nobody said anything, but being a airline pilot, don't bring it on. What every you do don't check it. That is flammable liquid in the cargo hold, the last place you want it when you are riding in a airplane at 35000ft. Personally, if you are going to take it, keep in your carry on bag, they will only take it away. Don't put in your check bag. At least in your carry-on you have control over being broken or spilled.

What is important, being caught, or starting a fire. There have been a couple of fires in cargo hold from people checking matches. Compressed bags rubbed the matches together and started a fire. I got to say it again "Don't check it". Sometimes people realy scare me.

[Woolburr]

Flammable liquids are not going to score any points with the TSA folks. Leave the Eclipse at home and save yourself some aggrevation and possible confiscation. If you desperately need some when you get to your destination...you can probably find it at a local store....or you can check at the pharmacy for a high grade substitute.

[Mushroom]

As another airline pilot can I endorse what Digitalsutt just said. Please don't put the bottle in your hold baggage. - however "tiny" you may think it is.

[IamRoger]

Quote deleted as a Totally uncalled for response.

Sorry, to offend you, but I forgot to quote the right person. I was actually referring to Mazzer statement about telling you to check it, but he has now deleted that section...relax. I agree with you totally. And thats why I answered you question.

[storeman]

Quote deleted as a Totally uncalled for response.

I think you need to back off CannedHeat and stop getting hot under the collar. I assume the reply by Digitalutt was aimed at Mazza who suggested you check it in packed in your hold baggage and NOT to carry it on.

The best thing you can do is to contact your airline when you have the cleaning fluid in your possesion and ask them if they will allow it to be carried. If it is methanol based then the answer will undoubtably be NO.

You could take it in your carry-on baggage and if it gets confiscated than you have lost a few dollars worth of cleaning fluid. If you check it or carry it on the aircraft and it cause a fire then you have lost a whole lot more.

You would be able to purchase a cleaning fluid at your destination as most major international airports have stores that carry decent camera equipment and so are likely to carry a cleaning kit. Failing that, as someone else has suggested, a pharmacy could supply a high grade substitute.

Learn to read all the replies before replying loudly like you did. The remarks you take offense to are not necessarily aimed at you.

[Picture North Carolina]

Sorry, to offend you, but I forgot to quote the right person. I was actually referring to Mazzer statement about telling you to check it, but he has now deleted that section...relax. I agree with you totally. And thats why I answered you question.

Very gracious. Then I apologize to you for the cheap shot about the beer. What with the Jay Lenos and David Lettermans of the world, I'm sure it's a sensitive issue with you guys.

[Laffctx]

I think the answer the pilot gave was a good one. I would have never thought it might start a fire with your check in baggage. But, he is right. Good point. Thanks for the tip.

As far as him getting you upset, I think you got yourself upset. I think that would scare me too if I knew it was in the cargo hole of a plane I was riding on. I dont think the guy was calling you stupid. He even said he had forgotten himself one time about having the cleaner in his bag. I think he is just referring to people in general being forgetful and not that any of us are stupid.

Oh and no matter how hard I looked I couldnt make out the brand name on the can in his picture he was drinking. I cant really say it was for sure beer can you? I guess that is just the power of suggestion in our own mind huh?

Anyway, you raised a good question and we all learned something from it. That is a good thing. Thank you for that.

[calicokat]

Quote deleted as a Totally uncalled for response.

That was not cool or appropriate

[tommykjensen]

Quote deleted as a Totally uncalled for response.


There were no need for that. The comment about people scaring him was not directed at You. I read his comment as a general statement.


So all play nice.

[IamRoger]

Just so everyone is clear...

oops

[cosworth]

I had a bottle tucked away in my camera bag, never knew it was there. Neither have 5 airline inspections.

I think the laptop and power inverter I carry is more of a risk. I think people need to chill out in here. Hell even my fists are more dangerous.

[mazzer]

Sorry if I started a FIREstorm....

Interesting. Last month I tried to carry-on an open bottle of whisky (leftovers from a wedding) and they told me I couldn't but if I put it in my checked baggage it would be fine. I did and it was. Inconsistency can lead to confusion.

[Donny1]

A serious subject, 4 things pilots don't need 1. Altitude above them
2. Runway behind them. 3. Fuel in the bowser
4. Lens cleaning fluid in the hold.

[Az2Africa]

Glad to see this thread has settled down. I never thought about my cleaning fluid. Thanks for the heads-up. Reminds me that while packing my gear this morning to fly to my California shoot, I found one of my pistols still in my backpack from a trip to the desert last week. TSA would have had a field day with that !!

[Jon]

Sorry if I started a FIREstorm....

Interesting. Last month I tried to carry-on an open bottle of whisky (leftovers from a wedding) and they told me I couldn't but if I put it in my checked baggage it would be fine. I did and it was. Inconsistency can lead to confusion.There are other reasons for open liquor bottles not being allowed in the cabin than the fire risk. 40% alcohol doesn't present quite the same ignition threat as 95+% does.

[IamRoger]

Oh ya, since we are on this subject, 4th of July is right around the corner.
Don't pack fireworks in you checked bags either. Just a little humor, but guess what, it has happened and cause fires on aircraft.

Mazzer, the idea of whiskey isn't about being flammable. It is illegal to consume your own booze on a aircraft. They just don't want to to get "ripped" with beer muscles and then take on the entire crew at 35000ft. Most of us are responsible, but the few that save 5 years of paychecks just to fly once and want to be treated if they were on a private chartered jet have created the issues. I'm not trying to defend the airline industry, cause the truth is is sux right now for everyone. Everyday I approach TSA in uniform my blood pressure starts to rise. They have been given some power and it goes to their heads. They hassle the airline crews more than the passengers.

[Bruce Hamilton]

They just don't want to to get "ripped" with beer muscles and then take on the entire crew at 35000ft.

They also don't want to lose out on the profits they make selling it to you in flight. :lol:

[CyberDyneSystems]

What they are really nervous about is a snot flying knee walking drunk deciding to take whiz out the open door of the plane! :lol: