Taking Hoses Regs and Torches on a Plane

[Schism Calvesto]

Does any one know what TSA thinks about used hoses, regs, and torches? I am worried about the propane residue, and how they will react.

[Greymatter Glass]

It's hit or miss really.

Hoses are generally a no-go unless they're new and un-used, i.e. no propane smell. If they're new they should check just fine.

Torches checked through usually do fine, just pack it for rough handling. The bigger concerns would be loss (theft?).

Regulators, same deal, just pack them well.


As a carry on, it's entirely up to the TSA agent you deal with if they'll let you carry a torch on the plane. A lot comes down to how big the torch is, what you look like, how you act, and what the agent ate for breakfast. Regulators should pose less of a problem, but some TSA agents will declare any large/heavy metal object a blunt instrument and not let it on.


the other option is to ship them UPS/Fed Ex. Tom's usually cool with people getting stuff shipped to him, or you can pay a bit extra for a date certain arrival, and have it delivered the day you get there.


HTH.

-Doug

[Greymatter Glass]

Oh, and there's a good chance I'll have some extra hoses with me, and at least one extra set of regulators....

[kage]

yeah, earlier this summer, i flew to work with cravyn for a few weeks. i struggled with this decision too. to ship or to carry on. i talked to many diferent people with the airlines who all told me different things.
basically what happened was a nicer gentleman told me that on the morning of my flight to go to the tsa manager at security gate and show that person before i even get my boarding pass what i plan to fly with. and if they say its a no-go then you will have to put it in your checked luggage, or box it up for shipping right there in the airport.

fortunatly for me i didn't need to bring regs, just my torch. i packed up my delta elite and it rode on my lap both there and back again. the base was in my carry-on but they made me check it at the gate bc the flight was too full. tsa damaged the rack and pinion knobs on the way back. i had to hammer one of them back on center when i got back home. torch was fine though.

like doug says, it really depends on the person in charge that day. bc my first phone call regarding this i was told there was no way i could bring my torch on a plane. when i showed my torch to the tsa manager, i simply said that it was a tool for shaping and heating glass. and it went on 4 different planes in total. and gtts look kinda like an expensive hairdryer under the x-ray. if i had a herbie, or carlisle, they might have told me no.

next time i will pack it and ship it bc it was more trouble than worth.

[kage]

and i would never put the regs or your torch in your checked baggage. there will be damage, that is certain. they don't give a shit about your belongings.

[llithra]

Ryan If you want you can just have them shipped to my house, and I will deliver them to you later. I have had trouble with TSA before.

They wanted to know what all the powder in the plastic jars was.

I told them to open them up and take a big sniff. kidding

Eric

[jedi glassworks]

I would also suggest printing up a page from the GTT websight and if you have a foot pedal, wherever you got that as well.
The only problem we have had is when my wife flew with her torch, the TSA unpacked it, then broke one of the valves in repacking. Sucked. She only found out when she tried to fire up her torch for the female flame off.

Bryan

[UmaJulz]

^ man that sucks

sometimes people bring all their extra stuff just in case someone needs it. Sometimes people double up on a torch too. In general people are really cool about sharing time and equipment as long as you're respectful about it.

I'm bringing extras, just in case.

[Schism Calvesto]

Cool thanks for all the feedback. It was just as I thought. Shipping is the way to go it sounds like. I hate airports, what a pain.

Ryan

[styles1 torchlife]

pack it in bubble wrap toss torch regs and lines all in box, and check it. I've done it a lot and never had problems. They usually inspect the hell out of it comming back to Oregon but never leaving. If you check it just pack it so no damage will happen.

I've watched them test my torch and hoses, regulators with the little wipes and the machine go off! but they still put it on the plane upon further inspection.
They will get it on the plane.

Carry on with a torch is a hassle!

[Aymie]

I have checked my torch, regs, and hoses with no issues. I was concerned about the smell, and I wouldn't try to carry it on...but pack it all up well in a firm suitcase and you should be fine.

[shelbo]

check it you will be a okay! carry it on and they will say any of that is a bludgeoning item and then they tell you to throw it away, terrorist. and you will be like ummmmm this is my torch, this is my gun, this is for working, this is for fun! trust me i have been there.

[TheGlassTree]

pack it in bubble wrap toss torch regs and lines all in box, and check it. I've done it a lot and never had problems. They usually inspect the hell out of it comming back to Oregon but never leaving. If you check it just pack it so no damage will happen.

I've watched them test my torch and hoses, regulators with the little wipes and the machine go off! but they still put it on the plane upon further inspection.
They will get it on the plane.

Carry on with a torch is a hassle!

yup wrap the shit outta everything in bubble wrap pack it into a plastic tub padded with your clothes and sleeping bag. Make sure the torch is in the center and nothing can move and seal it up and check it at the airport...

[somberbear]

UPS/fedex , insuance and shipping.... hate to say it but every time i have flown something has gone wrong.... and frankly for what the cost of the extra bag is any more you could ship your torch cheap...

[The Lorax]

anyone every fly out of country with their torch where shipping isn't really an option if they don't let you bring your torch on the flight??

[Aussie]

Another couple of weeks and I'll be able to tell you how it all works from Australia to Turkey. Although airport officials in Australia seem to be a lot more reasonable than in the States from what I can gather. I've never had anything but a pleasant and friendly experience going through security and customs here, maybe I've been just lucky.
My contact in Turkey has brought several torches by plane into that country from outside and never had any problems, they didn't even want to know what the torches were... Ah well, we shall see what happens ... I'll be putting through some compressed air and resting my hoses for a few days so there's no gas left to leach out and I hope, if they have any issues with this, they will understand that it's the additive that smells and there is no gas left, I will certainly plug the hoses so they don't stink up the suitcase. I will also make some foam cut-out battens for the torch to sit in and a little T-fitting which will allow me to leave the base at home and g-clamp the torch to a bench instead. That should take care of a bit of weight right there. And some info off the GTT website, the videos on my phone and some of the glass I'm bringing along should leave no doubt as to what all this "stuff" is for.
I've had some hoses sitting in a cupboard for 6 months and although the gas is long gone, the gagging agent still permeates the rubber and it stinks every time I open the door.
We shall see ...