Used outboard in Hold Baggage

[BurnitBlue]

I recall someone on here posting about how he dismantled his outboard motor to fit his suitcase for hold baggage. But he was told that no container that previously held petrol was allowed because of fumes. I can understand that, so is there anything that can be done to make it legal?

 

[macd]

I took a suitcase generator from UK to Turkey (or possibly Greece) a couple of years ago. I checked with the carrier (Thomas Cook?), who would accept it provided there was no smell of petrol. The gennie was brand-new but had been fired up to test it: it needed a very thorough draining of the fuel system and several days venting for the pong to disappear. No-one batted an eye when I dropped it at check-in.

 

[ProDave]

25 years ago I brought a petrol lawnmower back from the USA in the hold without problem. But it was brand new so never had petrol in it. Mind they never even opened the box, and the guy on the xray machine just said "gee it's a lawnmower" like they passed through every day.

 

[BurnitBlue]

OK Thanks for the advice. The outboard is a 4hp Johnson 2-stroke. Old and unused except for a test run some years ago. I will soak the tank in scented washing up liquid then vent it out until my flight to Greece in Spring.

I suppose the big problem all passengers face is what to do if the article is refused. The flight is ready to depart, no time to take it back home. Throw it away is impossible in an airport.

Last year I used an old suitcase to split the weight so, when I arrived in Greece I wanted to reload the suitcase into the other suitcase because it was easier to handle one suitcase on the bus. I was forced to take the old suitcase with me to avoid an all out bomb scare with an abandoned suitcase. No facilities for disposal if it didn't fit in the available garbage cans. What do you think would happen if a piece of unusual machinery smelling of petrol was seen sticking out of a concourse garbage can? Wow.

 

[skyflyer]

A petrol engine (unless brand new and conforming to criteria below) is classified as dangerous goods and must be notified to the airline in advance as special provisions need to be taken and verified and documentation provided (=expensive)

The special provisions, A70, state:

A70 Internal combustion or fuel cell engines being shipped either separately or incorporated into a vehicle,
machine or other apparatus, the fuel tank of which has never contained any fuel and the fuel system of
which is completely empty of fuel, or that are powered by a fuel that does not meet the classification criteria
for any class or division, and without batteries or other dangerous goods, are not subject to these
Instructions. provided that:
a) for flammable liquid powered engines:
1) the engine is powered by a fuel that does not meet the classification criteria for any class or
division; or
2) the fuel tank of the vehicle, machine or other apparatus has never contained any fuel; and
3) the entire fuel system of the engine has no free liquid and all fuel lines are sealed or capped or
securely connected to the engine and vehicle, machinery or apparatus.

If you try and slip it under the radar and get caught you could be charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft and it's passengers. Is it really worth it?

 

[Hadenough]

25 years ago I brought a petrol lawnmower back from the USA in the hold without problem. But it was brand new so never had petrol in it. Mind they never even opened the box, and the guy on the xray machine just said "gee it's a lawnmower" like they passed through every day.

And it was 25 years ago

 

[Hadenough]

OK Thanks for the advice. The outboard is a 4hp Johnson 2-stroke. Old and unused except for a test run some years ago. I will soak the tank in scented washing up liquid then vent it out until my flight to Greece in Spring.

I suppose the big problem all passengers face is what to do if the article is refused. The flight is ready to depart, no time to take it back home. Throw it away is impossible in an airport.

Last year I used an old suitcase to split the weight so, when I arrived in Greece I wanted to reload the suitcase into the other suitcase because it was easier to handle one suitcase on the bus. I was forced to take the old suitcase with me to avoid an all out bomb scare with an abandoned suitcase. No facilities for disposal if it didn't fit in the available garbage cans. What do you think would happen if a piece of unusual machinery smelling of petrol was seen sticking out of a concourse garbage can? Wow.

In a similar vein. When going on holiday to OZ (or wherever), don't buy a camera case from a charity shop. The previous owner had apparently used it to store illegal substances and the sniffer dogs loved it! Got away with it thank goodness.

 

[BurnitBlue]

A petrol engine (unless brand new and conforming to criteria below) is classified as dangerous goods and must be notified to the airline in advance as special provisions need to be taken and verified and documentation provided (=expensive)

The special provisions, A70, state:


If you try and slip it under the radar and get caught you could be charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft and it's passengers. Is it really worth it?

OK thanks for the info. You are right it is not worth risking a plane full of passengers. I hope the other passengers are as honest. Can I scrounge some extra points on my frequent flyer card for leaving the outboard at home?

 

[GrahamM376]

I would email the airline and explain that the outboard had been purged of petrol/oil and is in a safe condition and see what they say. Not worth trying to sneak it through.

 

[ronsurf]

Can't you just get it shipped? If you can get scooters and motorbikes shipped I can't see any reason why you can't get an outboard shipped.

Or just leave the petrol bits behind and buy new ones wherever you're going.

 

[Mistroma]

I was checking recently as I couldn't find a specific spec. of engine oil locally but easy to get in UK. I only need about 300mls so thought I could take 300mls or even 1litre in hold baggage.

I found a variety of prohibited items with differences between countries, airports and carriers. However, I do remember spotting a reference to empty fuel tanks in a couple of places including Easy-Jet. As far as I remember they suggested leaving it uncapped until vapour had completely gone and that putting in some vegetable oil or similar and draining was also an acceptable method of removing traces of petrol. I don't think small engines were a problem as long as drained of all oil and petrol.

I'm travelling Easy-Jet and haven't found anything yet to prohibit a small quantity of oil in hold baggage. They'd be worried about fires and contamination. I saw that up to 5 litres of <70% alcohol (that's %, not 70 proof) per person was allowed in hold baggage. Makes a litre of oil insignificant. So that only leaves the question of contaminating other baggage.

 

[TQA]

Small engines eg model aircraft engines are indeed prohibited if they have been run. Most will set off the hydrocarbon etc sniffers used to check luggage.

Getting clearance in advance is best but is no guarantee if you get Mr Akward on security.