EPIRBs

[stacy]

Hi all! We are getting ready to pick up our leopard 46 in Florida- will the airlines allow us to take our EPIRB either as carry on or checked baggage? Unfortunately in all our boexes we shipped earlier, we forgot the EPIRB!!! Thanks !!! Stacy.

[David M]

Originally Posted by stacy

Hi all! We are getting ready to pick up our leopard 46 in Florida- will the airlines allow us to take our EPIRB either as carry on or checked baggage? Unfortunately in all our boexes we shipped earlier, we forgot the EPIRB!!! Thanks !!! Stacy.

I would call the TSA. Their rules always seem to be changing and I would go with the latest information straight from the horses mouth. To them, an EPIRB might look like the "B" word...bomb. Most of them have probably never even seen an EPIRB and will have no clue what to even think about one. Bring along the paperwork that came with the EPIRB so you can explain what it is to them. Definitely do not try to bring it onboard with your carry on bag. No doubt it will raise red flags with those people.

I would pull the battery and tape over the battery poles so they have no concern with a short causing a fire.

TSA: What To Know Before You Go

[Wotname]

Depends mainly on the battery and actual battery size. In Australia (and most countries will be the same as they operate under ICAO regulations), all 406 beacons use Lithium batteries which are classified as Dangerous Goods. Doesn't mean they can't be carried, just means they have to be declared as such. Whether or not they will be accepted depends on the packing and size. For instance, you may bhe able to ship one battery but not (say) 10 of a certain size. MUST be declared otherwise very bad. There are some very small 406 PLB's available that are classified as "NONHAZMAT" which can be carried as checked luggage without any problems.
Older 121.5 / 243 beacons normally had akaline batteries, not sure on the current regs for them.
Always disconnect the battery (if possible) or tape the switch so it CAN'T be operated.

[stacy]

Hello David M and Wotname, thanks for the info. We finally were able to contact DELTA Air and after much discussion with the powers that be were assured that it is OK to take a 406 EPIRB with carry on luggage. Because of the cost of the unit we were reluctant to check it so we did not even ask them if they can be shipped with check in luggage
Stacy