How to pack lights/strobes?

[jimdiverman]

I am traveling with my tech gear for the first time by airplane tomorrow. I am struggling with my 10W HID canister light, Intova 3W backup lights and TekTite 300 strobe lights.

Specifically for the HID, does the TSA want to see my battery pack in my checked bag inside the light, but unplugged, or can I carry it on in a plastic bag? (preferred) Can I put the storm case as is inside my dive gear (checked) bag with the light in it? But am I inviting theft?

I am packing my regulators and analyzer in my carry-on bag.

I have read the restrictions on the airline I am traveling on (Delta) and on TSA's website, but I can't find any specific discussion about these devices.

I know about the new regulations on lithium batteries. Does someone have firsthand knowledge of how the TSA wants me to pack these devices?

Thanks.

Dive safe!

[skip]

i was in bonaire in april and had the battery for the canister light in the light, disconnected. the whole thing (light head, cord, can,) was in a pelican case for carry on and it went through without a hitch. the rule as I recall was no spare loose batteries (of any kind), but all battery powered devices needed to have batteries installed. I put the backup lights in the checked bag with batteries installed in them and did not have a problem that way either. I thought for sure they'd open the pelican case (that can light must surely look like a bomb), but they didn't - coming or going.

a buddy put his can light (battery in can, disconnected) in checked bag, all rolled up in clothes for protection, and it came and went just fine too.

-skip

[sskasser]

I traveled SouthWest recently with no problems. I took my lights, with charged battery packs unplugged, and my computers in my carry-on. I put a TSA approved lock on the checked bag with the rest of my gear. I got stopped coming and going when they x-ray'd the carry-on, but a quick look-see and I was on my way. Neither time was I asked to turn anything on. Of course, this time, I may end getting strip searched and having all my gear disassembled...who knows?

Just don't try to carry BC powders in and out of the country! Especially if one of the countries has a drug trafficking problem! Take my word on this one!

[Slüdge]

I have a Bonaire/canister light story, but it's WAY to long to post.:smt081

[MORGAN]

I have a Bonaire/canister light story, but it's WAY to long to post.:smt081

Oh, come on, tell us!

Mike

[Me]

I've had no problem with my Sartek HID coming or going. Before the weight restrictions went from 75# to 50#, I use to put it in my checked back with the schematics wrapped around it with a rubberband just in case TSA had no clue. Now with the reduced weight restrictions, I carry it on with my camera gear and have had no problems.....I always get stopped, but a quick look and I move on.

[OFG-1]

Just take extra cash:

http://www.salon.com/comics/opus/2008/06/22/opus/

[RN]

Jim, I always pack my can light with battery pack in can in my carry on. I tell TSA that the bags have scuba gear in them just as they're entering the xray. I haven't had a problem yet.

[jimdiverman]

Has anyone ever packed strobes? not camera strobes... strobes like you hang on the anchor line of a wreck. I have 2 Tektite 300s that are longer than 7 inches. I have them in the carryon. They are twist on / twist off.

Thanks for all the other advice. My gear bag is 48.6 pounds right now. I have a 22" rollaboard that is busting at the seams, and my computer bag. Not alot of room for clothes unless I am just willing to give up the $25.

[sskasser]

Not a 100% guarantee, but I have found that when checking in at the curb, a $10 tip for two bags saves me $50 in overweight charges when my bags have magically gained a pound or two from when I packed them. I've never gotten away with it at the inside counter.

[tflaris]

Pack the light and battery as carry-on because I have been asked to turn the light on and without the battery this is impossible. I have never tried to pack them as checked luggage.

[Kaneo]

i just got back from Truk a few weeks ago and I packed mine in my checkin. i put the batteries in but did not connect them just in case the switch was turned on. i also left the cap to the canister loose so they could lok in it.

[giles45shop]

Just returned yeterday from San Francisco. I had a carry-on duffel bag w/ BP, fins, computers, regs and my Salvo HID, charger, etc. The NiMH battery was in the cannister, w/ lid on, but not connected. Seemed ripe for some type of added inspection.

As it went through the Xray at both airports, I told them it was dive gear. In Tampa, they did a swab for explosives on the interior, but did not unpack or inspect. In Oakland, they asked what the cannister was, but did not open or do further inspection.

Second the idea on curbside check in. Never had a problem w/ overweight bags at curbside, but I had to pay $50 X 2 bags at the counter in Oakland. They were willing to sell me a duffel for $35 to repack into more than one bag, and save the overweight fees, but I was too tired to mess w/ it.

John