I am taking several cases of Red Bull to the Bonaire Sailing Team and want to check them as luggage is a box. Does AA allow boxes? Some airlines do not..thanks..Also, would the Eagle have room for an 8 ft bag? (windsurf sail etc..)

Heard AA is filing bancruptcy from my travel colleague..anyone have any news?

Annie
Cape Cod

AA (actually American Eagle) specifically told me no boxes during the period I would be flying (9/28 - 10/5).

Ann,
The new regulations expliciting prohibit "air cargo" as a result of the new regulations.. this is probably the genesis of the problems with the earlier discussions on the problems with electronics discussed earlier...Also be aware AA Eagle Embargos oversized/over weight articles going through San Juan..

Annie,

Talk to AA!!!!

I know, I have to call them, Glen..I just thought the experienced travelers here would know..nite nite

Ann, check with UPS or other air cargo carriers. The FAA/airlines may not be accepting 'cargo' from passengers, but will from a recognized freight forwarder. Just make sure that your box/bag is flagged as a temp export/import. Any customs paperwork will be handled by the freight company.

To clarify, American Eagle said boxes were not allowed during this time, long before Sept. 11th.

The time frame was Sept to end of year, I was led to believe. But again, this was way before the current FAA crackdown and has nothing to with recent events.

Or is it that an airline will not accept, at passenger check-in, items that are properly air freight??

Annie, only word of caution. When we returned to LAX with Air Jamaica, on the luggage claim turnstile thingy...there were two boxes of alcohol that someone put through checked baggage...they were both broken, and leaking all over everyone's luggage. I say, if you can't carry it on, don't do it. Especially with something breakable.

Glen.. There are two thing playing here...First of all if you are flying AA through San Juan.. they have had severe luggage limitations required by the nature of aircraft.. all they have coming to Bonaire is an ATR... I have had major discussions with them on the "embargo" until based on weight until they understood I was only using them to MIA. The Eagle flights are EXTREMELY LIMITED.... The other deals with changes on securit on passanger jets.. CARGO IS NO LONGER TRAVELING ON PASSENGER FLIGHTS REGARDLESS OF WHO SHIPS IT!!!.. This is going to be a major problem for computer companies as this is how they traveled...Most reasonably price freight goes via ocean carrier..not real good for vacation purposes..Maybe it might be time to rent a wind surfer????

And right about now, there's no such thing as an "experienced traveler", as the rules have all changed...

Faith

When I lived in Antigua I passed through SJU over 50 times and never ever brought boxes on board as I knew AA did not allow it. The SJU leg from BOS is very colorful and hectic. I cannot believe the size of luggage West Indian/Caribbean people have. Also, I have seen some very big lap children..LOL..anyway, going to BON on Air Ja. I did see several boxes go over but pre Sept. 11 they were searched to make sure there was no oil??
I guess no windsurf gear and I will carry on the Red Bull (cans) or pack it in a suitcase. Who the heck thinks you can safely check bottles of liquor..HA!!

The craziest thing I ever brought home was a cool homemade broom from the open air market in Antigua. Have brought home cases of Ting many times and when married to my ex Rasta hubby, we carried home a clay pot (he cooked Ital food in it)..

Anyway, nuff said.

Happy Tue.

Annie
Cape Cod

For those connecting with ALM, I have just posted the current baggage limitations in the thread: Airport Security.

Annie, it was kind of funny as we were all chuckling (in almost disbelief) as the booze was oozing all over the turnstile...reaking!

Can't you just see the glee in the eyes of a couple of disgruntled baggage handlers as they seize the opportunity to see how far they can throw those boxes???

Friends who worked in Saudia Arabia also had stories of Saudis coming to Customs to pick up similar aromatic, leaking crates, with everyone quite unconcerned that all alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited in that 'strict' Muslim country.

If the feds are not going to allow my fingernail clippers to be carried on board with me when are they going to ban the duty free liquor? A quart of scotch would make a pretty good blaze.

Hey Anon...that quart bottle is an excellent weapon when broken, too...much sharper and more effective than those long fingernails that couldn't be cut because you couldn't have your fingernail clippers.

What about shoelaces. Maybe that will also pop up as a no-no....shoelaces make an excellent weapon, too. One could kill or tie up anyone they wanted to with a shoelace.

My 78 y o Mom is totally obsessing on this.."are you sure we can go, are you sure we can take carry ons, are you sure I can bring my tweezers and toenail clippers.." She listens to wayyy too much talk radio as I lurk here wayyy too much..(grin). I had a cosmetic bag en route to Orlando (from LOGAN) and it had all sorts of pointy things and no one searched me at all.

Now, wonder if they consider Red Bull Energy drink volatile. Am bringing two cases for the Bonaire Sailing Team. hhmmmm..


Morning on Cape Cod

Annie

Last night Dan was contemplating whether we could fit our dive knives inside one of the dive lights in our checked bags...

Dunno if our dive knives and such will make it there and back, but we're gonna give it a try.

Saw a great political cartoon last night. Passenger at airline ticket counter. Airline employee says "welcome to so-and-so airlines, glad to have you fly with us. Do you have reservations?" Passenger says "yes, but I've decided to fly anyways"...

I've decided I'm going to print a copy of that one and hang it on my office door with a note that says "be back the 15th"...

Now if I can just get enough laundry done to pack clothing, I'll be all set! Dive gear is packed, with the exception of the aforementioned dive knives, and the camera gear is most of the way there... I'm getting psyched for Saturday, Dan's stressing out, some things don't change!

Faith

If you are flying on American, on Bonaire they search your luggage and remove dive knives even in checked bags.

Faith,

You'll have no problems taking them down to Bonaire in your checked bags. However upon departure you'll want to leave the knives with me, since they will confiscate them at the airport (and it's not assured that they will be mailed back to you by the folks at the airport).

BTW, am I picking you guys up on Saturday night or are you picking up your rental at the airport? I'll have your apartment keys from Divers Paradise tomorrow...

Jake

Jake, I have a idea for an enterprise, let's start renting out trauma shears and manly dive knives, then the folks won't have worry about security. Tweezers are disposable....

hmmmm, I have always wondered what need there was for toting a knife when diving on BON.....? The only time I've seen one used is to carve up a watermelon we picked up on the way past the fruit boat.....and to open and clean little snail like creatures, which were immediately and ravenously devoured without sharing :- {, all the while the knife being waved at me in a "don't you dare touch my snails" manner, LOL!

dara,... honest truth... I would have to agree with you.. I have used mine when I was cleaning up some monafilement from the reef (didn't really need it), opening an amstel bottle and cutting cheese.. I know when I teach I express importance of dive tools .. but my divers spend most of their diving in more hostile environments..

I've not used a knife underwater pretty much since I moved here, but I use my shears on almost every dive removing fishing line...

Jake

Jake and all,

Re knives: the AA.com link http://www.aa.com/new_airport_restrictions.html states, under 'Baggage Security': 'No knives or cutting instruments of any length are permitted beyond the security checkpoint '. Reads as applying to all AA flights anywhere. Similar to other informations. Another small side courtesy for the dive ops, supplying all desiring guests w/ shears as part of the dive package.

Jason, Dara,

Corollary of Murphy's Law (I forget the number): those events you are prepared for don't happen.

Glen I have it !!!! Divers entering Bonaire with sharp pointy things and unable to leave with same will place them in a display case. Divers entering Bonaire desirious of toting sharp pointies (or sissor type cutting things) will check out the weapon of choice returning same to the display case upon departure and prior to paying departure tax. This way no further burden will be placed on the dive operators who will be already preoccupied notifing divers planning to visit of the new display case policy in the Flamingo Airport.

Good plan!! For those who can sneak them by US security check points to get them to BON. Will save airlines money also in the mailing back to US. Knew I could count on you, Kelly!

Hi all,

I just got our sharp stuff from Bonaire. It was shipped via FedEx by Divi Flamingo, and arrived exactly a week after we left the island. Considering that they said they might wait a few days before mailing it, I figure that's pretty good timing. It's a combined package for Darlene, Eileen and I, but oddly, I'm pretty sure we got some other diver's stuff too. I'll check with my roomies, but if anyone is missing some dive sharpies, and left Bonaire from the Divi around the time we did (September 19), please let me know. If you describe our extras, I'll ship them off to you.

Cheers,
Karen.

Glen - your AA quote refers to carry ons, not checked bags - just in case that distinction was not clear... :-)

Bravo on the receipt Marion, but I think FedEx is the exception, not the rule, and it's probably only because you asked Stevo to help out. Those without their hotelier present during sharp item confiscation beware...

Jake

Yeah, is does read that way this morning to me, too, so they would be allowed downbound. And no one has commented here about confiscation at US end. Too early yesterday to plead sleepy. So, return flight checked baggage access between flights may be the reason for prohibition in checked baggage at Flamingo. Be nice to know.

Are divers now being advised, to be able to return-ship own sharpies, before airport? Karen's experience would argue not a week ago. And the nicety of it being done, especially if a property Manager isn't on hand. Even then, it sounds as though somebody is missing gear. It will be interesting to hear if Flamingo-taken things do get home safely.

Well, I CAN tell you our dive knife & nail clippers etc were confiscated on 9/15 prior to boarding the American Eagle flight and so far they haven't been returned yet.

I'd say your best bet is to mail it yourself or have someone do it for you (like the Divi did for Karen).

Actually, Jake warned of the sharpie problem (thanks Jake!!!), so we left our stuff at the desk at the Divi the night before we flew out. Nothing was confiscated at the airport.

I imagine leaving stuff at the airport is considerably riskier.

Karen.