Backpacking Stoves
 

I'm taking a flight SFO-LAS next week for a backpacking trip and I'm planning to bring a previously-used backpacking stove (the stove will be well purged and without any fuel). I called Premier Reservations and after being on hold for a long time they told me that it was Ok to check it with my bags. However, the person I talked to didn't sound very confident.

Does anybody have had any problems checking backpacking stoves in UAL flights?

Thanks!

Acrespo,

I have done it, but that was pre 9/11, I don't think it will be a problem, but I might ship it there just to be safe. Depending on where you are going, it will probably only cost about $20, and you won't have to worry about it.

Just my $.02.

Abe

It really is OK to ship as a piece of baggage. However, just to be on the safe side do the following.
Leave the box untaped so you can open it and show the check-in personnel that there is no fuel "sloshing" around. Bring tape to secure it after it has been "inspected".
If that fails for some reason because someone is not sure about accepting it, please request that they kindly phone UAL cargo personnel who can then (with 1-2 questions) determine it is safe to fly.

Suggest you leave open the fuel canister and associated hardware at least overnight to dissipate any lingering fumes.

If you have an MSR-type system, make sure you shake remnant fuel out of the mesh-covered fuel flow/vaporizer hose, as well as the regulator cap.

Since you already have your stove, you may not think much of this option, but getting a stove that used self-sealed canisters and buying canisters at your destination gets around stove air transport issues. Canisters are generally available world wide.

www.rei.com has the MSR SuperFly Stove, for instance.

Of course, lots of people don't think much of the use-and-dispose nature of canisters.
Rich

No - these are almost certainly not acceptable in either carry-on or checked baggage.

The applicable UA regulation is 45-11-11, "Coleman or Similar Type Camping Stoves, Lanterns, etc.". The regulation then prohibits them from being carried in any baggage. Under addition information, "Coleman stoves fueled by dual fuels white gas/gas not acceptable. Stoves run by butane ok provided gas tank detached from unit [and not transported]".

I can also provide applicable ICAO, IATA, and US FAR references if you're interested. These stoves also can't be shipped without proper declaration and packaging. If it's discovered, the fines can be very large. Please email me if you'd like any additional information.

Definitely not! If it ever had fuel in it, it is a no-no. The only way you can send it as luggage, is if it has never been used, you may find some uninformed agent to check it for you, but would you want to take that risk? If you're thinking of taking a chain saw- that's a no-no too. You'd be surprised at what people want to check.

Not big on backpacking, but it is just the flat stove/hotplate element being shipped or does it have a gas bottle along with it/part of it? If the former I'm curious as to how an aired stove and no bottle is so verboten?