does anyone know if airlines permit you to pack co2 cartridges in a bike case for international flights?
I keep forgetting they are in there. Technically no, mine have slipped through a few times
I’ve heard that you can be fined huge amounts of cash if they find them on you. Your best bet is to leave them behind and pick up a few at a bike shop or expo wherever you are planning to race.
Nope they are not permitted… tons are confiscated when large number of bikes are traveling to the same triathlon… so, you might slip by going to a triathlon where bikes are NOT coming in mass. But, don’t bet on it… On the otherhand, if the inspectors notice a consistancy in bikes and CO2 cartridges go to the same airport, then your most likely to get caught.
What is most likely to happen is that your bike will be removed and the CO2 cartridges will be confiscated…The bad part is that they just stuff you gear (including your bike) in what ever fashion they see is the easiest and fastest… the net result is the high probability of a damaged bike.
The short answer is … I wouldn’t chance it… leave the CO2’s at home… buy them later and leave them behind. Lets see… I probably gave away about 20 bucks worth of CO2’s away last year… Kind of wish the Race Directors would provide a CO2 rental option.
FWIW Joe Moya
thanks for the info folks - i’ll be sure not to chance it!
I’ve gotten through several times without their being confiscated (before I knew the rules). In fact, on my last two flights, they opened the locks and searched the inside of my bike box, but didn’t find or remove the cartridges. Similar story for several of my friends. Never heard of them being found and removed.
My conclusion: Being caught is probably a low risk, but it’s not worth taking if your destination includes casual riding / touring. If instead you’re going to race, and there’s a risk of local shops running out of CO2 (my experience at world ultra race in Ibiza last year), it might be worth risking to avoid the panic. Hunting high and low for CO2 right before a race ain’t fun.
It depends what you’re using them for. There is an FAA stipulation–I can look it up for you if necessary–that specifically allows them for use in inflatable life jackets. I’ve traveled with my jacket and spare cartridges (the same 16-gram units I use for my 700c wheels) a number of times. I tell the agent that I have them, and I’ve never been hassled.
What this tells us is that there’s really no reason why CO2 cartridges shouldn’t be allowed, no matter the use. (Physics provides the same answer; even if the aircraft were to depressurize, there is no risk of explosion.) In effect, banning them for bicycles is petty harassment.
How uptight are inspectors about CO2 cartridges? I inadvertently left one in my backpack a year ago after traveling to the Bahamas and back. Last Sunday, leaving Colorado Springs, an x-ray operator noticed it. I’ve flown with that pack at least eight times since last February, and no one was the wiser. The inspector was very nice about it; he even offered to work out a way for me to ship it to myself. I told him to throw it away; if only I’d had my life jacket with me, I could have saved $2. That was that.
Sorry, just venting. Stupid regulations serve to dilute respect for those that are worthwhile.
David Schoonmaker
My goodness $2 for CO2?
If you are willing to use 12 gram unthreaded CO2 (means you have to carry a pump with the shell thing for the cartrige) 12 gram cartiges can be had for $0.50 each. A 12 gram is enough to fill up a 700c tire up to 100 PSI ish.
Check out a local paintball shop, paintballers have been use 12 gram cartriges for years, you can buy 10 for $4.95ish (100 for $42 if you flat alot).
http://www.iisports.com/product.asp?s=iispaintball&pf_id=XP9000A&dept_id=4401
I’m cheap, sorry to say bike shops really overcharge for CO2.