Lifejacket gas cylinders on planes

SHUG

SHUG

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I know its been asked before but I can't find the answer via the search.
The question is, can you take an automatic lifejacket on a plane and are there special requirements?
As the plane has an automatic lifejacket for each seat it seems illogical to restrict the passengers from carrying their own .
 
You should check with the individual carrier as they have slightly different rules. Think you will find an information sheet on the subject on the RYA site. I had no problem on Easyjet.
 
In the past I've put it in my checked luggage, but with the CO2 cylinder completely unscrewed and turned around so there is no possibility of accidental inflation.
 
Last time this was discussed I did read up on it - for no reason other than curiousity. The international agreement (forgotten what it's called) says its OK to carry up to two lifejacket gas cylinders (they are the only bit they worry about). Unfortunately the international agreement also says that individual airlines may make exclusions not listed in the rules. So, if an airline says "no" there is no legal obligation on them to change their mind if you quote the rules to them. Sounds like a situation for a polite request based rather than a fit of rage.

It is certainly makes no sense to ban them given that they have one under every seat.
 
From my experience the problem is not with the airlines but security staff at airports who pehaps understandably are not aware of all the exemptions. If carrying as hand luggage carry the CAA document, together with the Airline permission, listing the exemption and be prepared for a lenghthy debate or my now prefered option put in hold luggage with the CAA and airline permission (Many have this in their frequently asked questions eg Ryanair.)taped to the lifejackets/cylinders.
 
nickf said:
From my experience the problem is not with the airlines but security staff at airports who pehaps understandably are not aware of all the exemptions. If carrying as hand luggage carry the CAA document, together with the Airline permission, listing the exemption and be prepared for a lenghthy debate or my now prefered option put in hold luggage with the CAA and airline permission (Many have this in their frequently asked questions eg Ryanair.)taped to the lifejackets/cylinders.
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+ 1 there. Especially Heathrow.
 
I had a Crewfit life jacket to bring back from France via Ryan Air. You can't get at the cylinder without taking the hammar unit off the bladder, and for that you need the appropriate key.

They made me inflate the life jacket and then deflate it. The option was to leave it behind. No discussion. The cylinder cost more than the flight.
 
WoodyP said:
I had a Crewfit life jacket to bring back from France via Ryan Air. You can't get at the cylinder without taking the hammar unit off the bladder, and for that you need the appropriate key.

They made me inflate the life jacket and then deflate it. The option was to leave it behind. No discussion. The cylinder cost more than the flight.
Click to expand...

I assume it was the security staff - not Ryanair that insisted on this. The IATA regs are here http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dangerous_goods/Documents/DGR_EN_53rd_Table-23A.pdf

It is not surprising that security staff do not know all the exemptions - I have found if you have this document they are (usually) grateful for you pointing them in the right direction!
 
Interesting problem....but do not the lifejackets you have to don if the plane is going to crash also have a gas cylinder?
I realise they belong to the airline and they can run their own checks but I thought they were the same cylinders.
 
Croc said:
Interesting problem....but do not the lifejackets you have to don if the plane is going to crash also have a gas cylinder?
I realise they belong to the airline and they can run their own checks but I thought they were the same cylinders.
Click to expand...

Yes they are but the rules is the rules.
 
Different airlines seem to have different policies.
eg BA require that you notify them in advance of carrying one on the plane as it is a "Restricted items requiring notification to British Airways".
https://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagrest/public/en_gb
When I called them it was like no one had ever called before! When I checked in the lady said best to put it into the hold to avoid any issues with Gatwick security.

Flybe have a similar policy of requiring notification before flying with "Dangerous goods for which you require Flybe approval to carry them on the aircraft", but I've managed to do this at the airport during check in.
http://www.flybe.com/flightInfo/baggage.htm

Hope that's useful
 
I got it in writing from Easyjet that each passenger was entitled to carry 2 life jackets plus 2 spare cylinders in hold or carry on baggage. Suggest you put them in the hold bag as security staff are often pretty thick and have their own ideas about what can/can not be carried.
 
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