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From: (no name) (no email)
Date: Wed Dec 07 2005 - 18:11:38 EST
In a message dated 07/12/2005 21:27:46 GMT Standard Time,
writes:
suspect it was the security people who confiscated the item, not the
airlines. I am sure you have seen as many '60 minutes' TV episodes as I
have, ... they really don't know what they are doing.
However, a CLEAN certificate doesn't mean NEW. If it has EVER been used it
is not NEW Get a fax or an email from the client services department, show
the checkin counter the airline's baggage regulations and the will have to
back down.
Case in point: I have a couple of self inflating suspender PFD's. They flew
from London to Lanzarote. And from Antigua to ? to Puerto Rico to Atlanta.
They were confiscated in Atlanta before my next flight. They contained a
compress gas cylinder. I told him every seat on the plane had a life jacket
with a compressed gas. He looked confused (probably because he had never
been an a plane) and showed me a list of prohibited items, including fire
extinguishers (comprssed gas cylinder) I asked for the supervisor. He came
over, gave me that authorative squinty eyed 'why are you insisting so much'
look and asked me to take off my shoes so he could examine them. I suggested
we go to the Airline counter, they thanked him, he walked away, they sighed
a 'where do we get these guys' and put my vests in a bag that was given to
the plane's personell. They were handed to me when I landed.
Maybe they did him a favor confiscating the hooka. Gasoline powered air
compressor for underwater air supply. Not one of the worlds brightest
inventions.
Re: taxes. Do customs in Tortola regularly check tourist's incoming bagage?
Peter
I for sure would not take the chance - does it matter who confiscated it -
it is gone :-(
And as to CO2 cylinders even though there were 250+ of them on the plane i
was flying on AND i pointed that out at the time they were taken out of my
lifejackets and never flew with me. So i think you are or were very very
fortunate. For sure CO2 cylinders are NOT allowed in passengers luggage. So the
fact that you found someone who was prepared to bend the rules and give them
to the crew to take care of - something that i suggest that was in
contravention of both CAA and FAA rules well i would not rely on being lucky and finding
someone who was prepared to bend the rules to my benefit.
As to Hooka's as a diver of more than 40 years they do serve a purpose and
out in the BVI's if you don't want to be carrying lots of cylinders and
revisiting places every other day to get air fills and you are into shallow water
diving they are a good solution.
Certified clean meant exactly the same as new - i notice you did not respond
to my suggestion that new did not mean the engine never had any gasoline or
oil in the engine.
It is not so long ago that a sailor got his boat confiscated for having a
few hundred undeclared cuban cigars on board - i think that was in Belize.
With homeland security going mad and customs authorities being ever more
vigilant if you want to take chances don't complain when you get caught and get
a massive fine for smuggling and when you get caught don't complain about the
situation you find yourself in
regards
David
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