Notes collected from the Climber.Org Gear Forum:
This information was current as of early 2005, but RJ says I am still worried that the regulations may change.
To be more specific, I am referring to liquid-fuel stoves with a permanently
attached tank. One person asked me how to put vinegar into a butane cartridge!
I also pack one or two, empty, cleaned 1 liter lexan Pepsi cola bottle(s)
to hold the fuel that I purchase at my destination. Scofflaw that I am,
I burn automotive unleaded fuel in my stove, and the mouth of the Pepsi
bottle is wide enough to accept an unleaded nozzle. On my return flight
I discard the Pepsi bottles, but fill the stove and fuel bottle with vinegar.
On both flights, no one made a fuss, in fact, no one ever asked me if I had
a stove in my luggage. But upon arrival on one of these flights, I found a
note from the TSA stating that my luggage had been inspected.
And the stove and fuel bottle were still there, filled with vinegar.
When I am ready to start cooking, I simply pour out the vinegar, fill
the stove with gasoline, and light it. Having vinegar in the tank
doesn't affect the subsequent performance of the stove. According to the
Classic Camp Stoves web site, it may be good for the tank!
I have only done this twice, but I never noticed any pitting of the small
aluminum Sigg bottle nor in the brass tank of the Svea. I suppose that if
one does a lot of air travel it may be worthwhile investing in an anodized bottle.
The Sigg bottles are commonly used by European hikers/climbers as canteens, so
labeling a Sigg/MSR fuel bottle as "Water Bottle" would not be considered unusual.
But to my American eyes, it was unusual to see those British climbers drinking from
their Sigg bottles in Pakistan, as it was in Vertical Limit.
The FAA has had a booth at Outdoor Retailer shows (even at shows before 11 Sep 01)
to encourage stove manufacturers (and others) to put warnings in their literature
that used stoves and fuel are hazardous cargo. At one show I asked about vinegar.
The FAA people looked at me and it seemed as if a light bulb appeared above their
heads. At the next show I asked them about filling stoves with an inert substance.
The fellow manning the booth said, "Vinegar."
Later, he emailed me a Word document, which is available below.
It is rewarding to know that my work has brought so much happiness to the world.
- R.J. Secor
Suggestion from R.J. Secor to
I have only flown twice with a stove and a fuel bottle since 11 Sep 01.
Both times, I filled the Svea and the bottle with vinegar and placed a
note around the stove with a rubber band stating "THIS STOVE IS FILLED WITH VINEGAR,"
with a similar note wrapped around the 0.3 liter Sigg fuel bottle.
I then put the stove in a pot, wrapped in a plastic bag, and put it near
the top of the pack with the fuel bottle nearby, with a note stating:
"THE STOVE IS FILLED WITH VINEGAR" and I also include a hard
copy of the Empty Packages FAA notice that is attached, with section 2,
part iii highlighted. And I carry another copy of this notice on my
person so I can show it to whoever might make a fuss.
fill containers with vinegar:
Memo from the FAA
about
TRANSPORTATION OF "EMPTY PACKAGINGS":
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
TRANSPORTATION OF "EMPTY PACKAGINGS"
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
TITLE 49 PART 173.29 "EMPTY PACKAGINGS"
(a) General. Except as otherwise provided in this section, an empty packaging
containing only the residue of a hazardous material shall be offered for
transportation and transported in the same manner as when it previously
contained a greater quantity of that material.
(b) Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, an
empty packaging is NOT subject to any other requirements of this subchapter
if it conforms to the following provisions:
1. Any hazardous materials shipping name and identification number markings,
any hazard warning labels or placards, and any other markings indicating that
the material is hazardous are removed, obliterated, or securely covered in
transportation.
2. The packaging-
(i) Is unused;
(ii) Is sufficiently cleaned of residue and purged of vapors to remove any
potential hazard;
(iii) Is refilled with a material, which is not hazardous to such an extent
that any residue remaining in the packaging no longer poses a hazard.
YOU can help make our skies a safer place to be and help protect buyers of
your products from stiff civil and/or criminal sanctions by alerting them
through your advertising and product markings. You can really make a difference.
Warnings to buyers not to take forbidden items such as:
"DO NOT PACK IN AIRLINE LUGGAGE"
"BUY ON SITE, AVOID A FLIGHT"
"EMPTY THIS CONTAINER COMPLETELY AND PURGE OF ALL LIQUID AND VAPORS"
Hikers, campers, hunters, fisherman are FLYING to and from their adventure
destinations in increasing numbers each year. Outdoor gear that is presented
to air carriers as checked or carry-on luggage are suspicious items and will
receive increased scrutiny. This increased scrutiny is a result of many
incidents caused by hazardous materials being illegally packed in luggage
that leak flammable liquid fuel, or catch fire due to matches, flammable
gas torches, flare guns, fireworks, flammable compressed gases, etc.
Having to remove items from luggage, or being cited with a hazardous materials
violation and large civil penalty, can ruin a much-anticipated adventure.