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Posted by Bill S on May 13, 2006 at 7:29:34 pm EDT
In reply to flying with my gear posted by Dave S on May 13, 2006 at 11:40:16 am EDT

As Tom and Adam said, check with the airline - website and personnel. You may find inconsistencies and contradictions between these. All airlines forbid flammables, meaning your white gas or kerosene liquid fuel, or fuel canisters for butane stoves. Some airlines (notably Alaska) do not allow stoves or fuel bottles, even unused in their original shrinkwrap. Others are more lenient, but generally will want to give the stove and/or fuel bottle a sniff test (any smell of fuel means no go). Generally, even the airlines that will carry stoves will want it in the checked luggage, and you have to declare it. Yes, people have snuck stoves on board and not said anything about them. But a number of these have gotten to the other end and found the stove gone and a nasty note from the authorities.

Best bet that has worked consistently for me has been to pack the stove and fuel bottle and ship it to myself to pick up at the other end. FedEx is often a bit cheaper for the same mode than UPS, and US Post Office cheaper still. You should keep the package open for inspection at the counter, then seal it. USPost Office will hold for pick up, if you send it General Delivery. I have also used FedEx and UPS "will call", but this depends on the particular location. If you are going to stay with a friend or at a motel near the airport before heading into the woods, you may be able to make a reservation for that first night and ask them to receive it for you. I have done this at B&Bs is several places. And, a number of years ago, I have sent the stove via air freight on the same airline I was flying on (a couple times it even went on the same flight that wouldn't take it in checked luggage - go figure!).

You may be able to ship canisters via UPS, FedEx, or snail mail, if you can meet the packaging requirements (certain labels are required). But I have found some of the clerks are not cooperative when they find you have flammables or explosives (which canned butane falls under). On the other hand, years ago, more than once, way pre 9/11, I brought back a Bleuet Camping Gaz stove with 3 or 4 full (unpunctured) canisters, no problem, and the airline knew it. Not recently, though, and I wouldn't try it in the current era.

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