Airplane Travel with Paintball Markers

[joshweinerhead]

can you fly on an airplane with your marker? and what about your tank?

[Jonesie]

You'll have to check the luggage in which they are stored. Obviously you will not be able to carry them on.

This weekend I had ZERO problems, at LAX they even searched my bag, without a problem. I just pulled the reg off my tank and stashed it in a balled-up pair of socks for protection. Then the bottle was wrapped in a couple tank covers for protection.

No problems.

Good Luck ~ Dave

[joshweinerhead]

thanks

[SirTim]

don't even consider it as a carry on, otherwise, you will ground the whole flight...

[Dayspring]

And don't fly ATA. They won't allow bottles of ANY sort on the plane.

I've flown Continental several times with equipment, and no issue. Oddly, they were more concerned with the battery charger than the oddly metallic gun-shaped item in the bag.

Go figure.

[Scircal]

Shouldn't be a problem...

They are listed on the TSA site as an cleared item, at least if they are in checked luggage, or at least that's what my brother said. He brought his Mag and a bunch of other stuff home from college to play in a scenario game this weekend, no hassle at the airport. Even said the bag made a loud "clang" when he set it down and they didn't even ask (And exactly how many billions in taxpayer dollars are being spent to make sure airports are secure?). He did not bring his HP tank since I had an extra.

Pressurized canisters are a no-no, tho. However, I think you can still take your HPA or CO2 bottle as long as it's depressurized. Thankfully, paintball guns haven't been declared a weapon of terror, even though pocket knives and fingernail clippers have...

[edweird]

I dont bother unscrewing the regs on my tanks...

I own 2 flatline tanks and all I do is empty them and secure the on off in an open position with something. Then I attach a typed paper siteing the DOT reg # and stateing the fact it is secured open, empty and safe for air travel.

It prolly helps that I am a SSgt in the USAF and sign it as so as well.

[InexactMelissa]

I would consider not bringing your tank with you. While some people report not having any problem with it, several others have. According to the official list of TSA permitted and prohibited items http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlib...12_18_2003.pdf compressed air guns are allowed in checked baggage only, and compressed gas cylinders are NOT allowed in checked OR carry-on bags.

[DragonMan]

I agree with InexactMelissa. Try not to fly with the tank. If you can do it, ship your air tank to your destination prior to flying. The TSA drones' ideas of what is permissible varies greatly from published rules. They even argue amongst themselves. Even removing the reg from the tank is sometimes not good enough.
For your marker, break it down as much as possible and secure it in a sturdy case in your checked luggage. NEVER put in in a carry-on bag.

[Creative Mayhem]

I trvel with my SCUBA gear and you ARE aloowed to bring tanks as long as you take the valves out.

HPA tanks are no different.

[DragonMan]

I agree with you. Valves out is perfectly legal. However the screeners sometimes thing differently.

My biggest beef with the TSA is the inconsistancy that they have from airport to airport and screener to screener.

DragonMan
PS Bottom time is good!

[InexactMelissa]

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but according to the TSA and FAA websites, you are not supposed to be allowed to travel with SCUBA tanks (regulators and other stuff is OK)...in fact it expressly states that SCUBA tanks are not allowed. That's not to say that everyone in every airport follows or even knows these rules.

For me, I would rather ship my tank ahead than even risk losing $300 bucks having it confiscated.

:)

from the TSA (TSA Special Items ):
Travelers & Consumers Printable Version
Transporting Special Items

Transporting Scuba Equipment

Some scuba gear can be transported on-board the aircraft. Please refer to the guidelines below:

Regulators, Buoyancy Compensators and mask, snorkel and fins are all acceptable as checked or carry-on baggage.
Dive tanks or any compressed gas cylinders are prohibited from carry-on and checked luggage.
Knives and tools are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and security screeners.
Spear guns are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage.

[Bolter]

some little tricks for you. Take everything off that you can to make it less gun shaped (i.e barrel battery ) then empty your bottle of air.

Always take a paintball magazine and your playing top in the same bag used to store said gun, so that if they ask "hey whats that thing" you can say its for a paintball tournie and heres the proof.

Explain the bottle is empty, and if you are in any doubt, ring the airports before you go.

[Scircal]

Well, you could interpret the rules to mean filled compressed air cylinders and such, since they describe the problems as associated with "changes in pressure" and lump them with fire extinguishers and others items that are supposed to carry a hazardous chemical. Obviously, an empty paintball tank isn't going to have pressure problems, especially not one with the regulator off.

Then again, there is some ambiguity, which means it will come down to the official who last sees the bag. So maybe you shouldn't bring your tank unless you have someone there you can give it to if there are any problems.

Well, throwers don't worry about ticking because modern bombs don't tick...

[Jonesie]

Originally posted by Scircal
Well, throwers don't worry about ticking because modern bombs don't tick...

Based on that, IF I were going to make a bomb, I'd make it tick! Just little fact-oid from the warped side of Jonesie.

/me goes to answer the FBI's knock at my door...