PSK/BOB for Airline Travel?

Thankfully, I don’t air travel much anymore. But I am currently putting together a kit just for air travel. Trying to keep it light weight and simple, without having a vehicle kit or home kit anywhere nearby. The other problem is what to carry on and what to check. Arguably this may be my most challenging kit with the travel limitations and the distance from other backup kits.

I'll probably make up two kits, one for carry on and one for checked baggage. I will be staying in hotels not at the home of a well stocked relative.

The carry on will probably be very simple, SureFire A2, Fenix L1P, foldable N95 masks, water, snacks, FAK, AM/FM pocket radio. It pains me not to be able to pack a knife anymore. D'oh!!!

The checked bag kit can be a little more elaborate, but still needs to keep weight and size to a minimum. At the hotel I will be sure to get a stock of bottled water.

Any thoughts from you frequent flyers regarding your kits?

Thanks, TR

I wonder about the surefire and the fenix -- some nimrod tsa person might think they could be used as a kubotan and confiscate them. I would hate to lose those pricey great lights

My opinion is that you should only bring a water bottle and plenty of snacks on board (Bits & Bites being my favorites!). Some good reading material is a good must, and your favorite headphones along with an airline plug adapter for it to work in stereo.

In other words, don't bother too too much about the on-board part. As for checked baggage, I think you can put pretty much anything in there, other than firearms and explosive devices.

I would probably chuck your main PSK into your checked baggage. You will probably have some leftover water (from your bottle) when you land, and by the time you're leaving the baggage carrousel, you'll be reunited with your main PSK. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My 2 cents...

that is ...when you land .... safely in an airport. However, when you have emergency-landed in the everglades, its another matter altogether.

I think one can argue that a PSK is NOT needed at all inside a plane. A press of a button and you get what you need. A PSK is needed only when you find yourself in an unwelcoming environment and unfavorable conditions.

However, a PSK has to be in your pocket even inside a plane. So that if you crash land somewhere and you survive the crash, youd have something to help you. It should be assumed that some search party will be looking for the crashed plane. So, food and water are not that really critical. OK, water is critical in case they dont find you the first day, but not food. .

How about a signal mirror or something that might work as a signal mirror ?? I guess that in such a case, I would wish that I was a woman, cuz a small mirror is always there in the purse <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and no cutom guy will ever raise an eybrow about it. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In my mind, this poses a quandary. On the one hand, I think it's important to have some kind of [smoke penetrating] flashlight on your person when flying. But agree there could be risk of confiscation with some of the less conventional-looking flashlights. OTH, putting the "good stuff" in your checked luggage exposes it to theft by dishonest airport personnel (that's not an indictment of all TSA or airline employees; I'm sure most are honest).

I am also a member of CandlePowerForums (should have been called FlashlightFreakForums). For the most part the small flashlights don't cause a problem with TSA. There will be the anecdotal story about somebody able to carry on a 5 cell maglight, while another will have a li'l mini-mag confiscated. Go figure. Over all I think I'm OK. Still I might swap the SFA2 for my $20 Cyclops for the flight. I think the Fenix will be fine.

I pack the flashlights partially as a tool to cut through smoke in an emergency, and partially as a surrogate (blankey) for my knives. I can't pack a knife, so I like to carry a bunch of "torches" to make me feel better.

TR

I carry a Pelican 2AA flashlight when I fly. It's plastic, so nobody considers it a weapon. I pretty much carry a standard PSK minus sharp things (although I've been able to carry blunt nose scissors in my FAK).

My firestarting kit got some unwanted attention a while ago, so I took a friends advice and removed most of it from my kit and replaced it with a couple of lighters and a pack of cigarettes (for some reason if you're carrying cigarettes a lighter is OK, but I have been asked why I carried a lighter if I didn't smoke). I just added more alcohol pads to the FAK to make up for the lost tinder.

I pack my FAK and PSK into pouches that then go into my carry-on, the pouches have the logo of my SAR team and a copy of my Red Cross certificates, that seems to put most guys at ease when they ask me to open them.

Not having a knife SUCKS. I feel at home anywhere as long as I have my sharp stuff. I feel naked when I fly.

Read this thread. It should help:

Equipped - To Fly Coach

-- Craig

Craig,

That looks like a great thread.Thanks.

I'll post back on my final solution.

TR

I have carried several flashlights on my person and in carry-on without any problems. I always pack one PSK in each check-in bag and (knock on wood) have never had anything stolen. I steer clear of known prohibited items both for carry-on and check-in. I don’t know if I have been extremely lucky or if the confiscation hype is just that, hype.

Pete

A smoke hood would be good to have, for both the flight and the hotel stay. Coupled with a small, bright flashlight, those two should let you safely evacuate either location in a timely fashion. A smoke hood that filters carbon monoxide would be best, but even one with an activated charcoal filter and a hood that protects your head from heat and flames is much better than nothing, and they usually store much more compactly than any hood capable of filtering CO. Brookdale's EVACpac is a nice combo.

Some sort of auxillary power for your cell phone, in case of extended stays at the airport or being put on hold for a long time to rebook a cancelled flight would be prudent. Someone recently posted a message on the Cellboost. The Charge2Go! would be another option.

Depending on how you dress on the plane, some warm clothing. Some cabins are colder than others and there aren't enough blankets. And your checked luggage might not make it, and you need to get to your hotel in winter weather.

Earplugs. Airports, airplanes, and hotels can be noisy places. Excess noise is distracting and gets on our nerves, hours of plane drone is tiring, and we all need our sleep. I love babies, but not screaming babies on airplanes. And what's with the love fest in the hotel room next to me? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Headache medicine. I think it's the altitude that does it since I try to fly fully hydrated and drink lots of water on the flight. Cabins are only pressurized to what, 6,000 feet? If I have a headache, then I'm cranky and can't sleep well on the plane and the flight seems soooo long.

I think you will have a better signal than anything you can carry in your PSK, in that case. Like a plane that is smoking, if not burning, along with a great big honking scar in the earth where you went in. Keep in mind that commerical birds have redundent emergency beacons, and the crew would have announced thier sitution with thier location. And ATC would know where you went off the scope.

Dumping a commerical wide body is not the same as a little single engine in the Yukon. LOTS of people are going to notice. You do NOT need to have a full fledged PSK. Even if you did, what are you seriously going to be able to do with it. A PSK is the last ditch for one person, it's resources will be totally overwhelmed by this kind of thing.

That being said, an N95 mask should be on your person, along with a basic FAK and a good light, but that is so you can get out of the plane. Trust me, you go down in the EU or over CONUS, you will have a search starting before everyone is off the aircraft and you will be found in under an hour. As I said, commercial aircraft falling out of the sky are pretty hard to miss.

The only time the flight crew wouldn't be able to get a signal out is if the plane explodes or disintigrates in midair, and at that point, you have bigger problems. Like gravity.

I think if you dress decently and act in a civilized way and carry a SureFire E2e, you'll be fine.

On the other hand, if you dress like a biker and act in a suspicious manner, that innocent AA Maglite you've got will be confiscated.

-- Craig

In the remote wilderness in winter that may not be the case.

I'm wondering if the TSA would know what a smoke hood canister is or looks like. No recognition equals potential weapon/threat equals confiscation?

-- Craig

How remote are we talking? Unless you are taking a great circle route, the flight lanes, at least on the map, all look like they are fairly close to "civilization".

I heard of confiscations or opening them up to inspect the inside (and needlessly making the one-time-use hood worthless) in the first years after 9/11, so I never packed it then. But I took an EVAC-U8 on a plane not long ago with no problems. That's the only time I've flown with it since 9/11 and have not heard of any recent problems.

Actually, would activated charcoal be considered a flammable material and not allowed on the plane? The EVAC-U8 has an activated charcoal layer, as do most smoke hoods, and some masks/respirators. But c'mon, it can't be much of a hazard if you're putting it in something designed to be exposed to flames and high heat, right? *sigh* But you never know with the TSA.

You're welcome. It is a great thread. I learned a lot.



Please do. I'm looking forward to it.

-- Craig

That's just it. You never know. This could be urban legend, but I read of someone who had their EVAC-U8 declared an "aerosol" can and then confiscated. This despite the fact it has no nozzle or finger-plunger to press. <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

The other problem is that those who are prepared are considered suspicous "Why do you need a evacuation hood in the plane?" "In case of a fire" "Why? Are you expecting one?"

Very good point! I believe you need to blend with the rest of the passengers, and not over-prepare, as a passenger, for commercial flights.

(De-lurk.)

Smoke escape hoods:

I've flown with my EVAC+ hood several times, including one return trip to the US, with no problems. It says "no compressed gasses" and "safe for air transport" on the container.

In fact, other than a smile from a Portugese security guard, I've never even had a member of airport/airline staff acknowledge its existence. My theory is that they don't want to have a discussion about fires on aircraft in front of other passengers.

Flashlights:

I've flown with my Streamlight TL-3 and Pila G3 with no problems. A co-worker has told of being questioned about a larger Mag-lite, but was allowed through with it (it was still in the packaging.)

Cutting things:

Apparently we're now allowed round-tipped nail scissors (blade length no more than 3cm). Accordingly, I've bought a pair of Fiskars straight manicure scissors (#9806033). They go through paracord easily enough, and I'm guessing they'll work on clothing too. It's better than nothing!

I haven't flown with these yet. Any other suggestions for airline-friendly cutting tools?

eeph, welcome from the shadows. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well, glad to hear that recent security screeners aren't taking away or ruining our smoke hoods these days. Same with my limited recent experience, so either the screeners are: too fixated looking for tweezers and nail clippers, have been trained to recognize that smoke hoods are OK, or should've inspected them per their protocols but didn't. Option 2 would be great, but maybe options 1 and 3 are more likely, and troubling.

If I put a sticker saying, "Safe for air transport" on my shoes, do you think they'd let me keep them on at the security checkpoint? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks to all for your input. I also gleaned a few nuggets from the older thread on this topic.

Here is my initial travel PSK: (Subject to revision based on logic or whim)

For inside the plane and airport layovers, my carry on will be minimal. I will include a small PSK in my checked bag for the ground portion of my vacation.

Dress: I will be practicing the art of Urban Camouflage (UC) during the entire vacation. Blend in, disappear, “nothing to see here folks, go on about your business”. I will be doing my best Eddie Bauer impersonation during the flight. At the termination of the flight I will make necessary wardrobe changes to mix with the natives.

My carry on will be a day pack by “Lewis N Clark” (LNC) from their bicentennial collection. Stylish, but non-commando. I really like the size of this pack. So many of the quality day packs have an 1800+ cu in capacity. Too large for knocking about without looking like a back packer or terrorist. I tried some of the faddish shoulder packs. I didn’t like the “too small” size (can’t carry an 8.5”x11” note pad) and I didn’t find them to be very comfortable. The pack I selected has a capacity around 1000-1200 cu in with adjustable nylon straps to adapt the size of the pack to the load. Especially important is the ability to hold a large “Polar” bicycle water bottle externally for quick access. The Polar bottle has built-in insulation, and per my own tests keeps ice in the bottle twice as long as standard water bottles. The LNC pack works well for me.

My carry on kit will be simple, minimal, and non-threatening. After waiting in long lines before having to remove my belt and shoes, I’d not likely receive the Mr. Congeniality award. If I get felt up by TSA stooges or they ponder checking my prostate for detonators, the outing will go poorly for all parties involved (I embarrass my wife and family enough without the threat of arrest). Best to just avoid confrontation.

*CARRY ON KIT*

WALLET:
-Credit card
-Insurance cards (auto and medical)
-Cash
-ATM card
-$20 emergency cash stashed in hidden pocket
-Pre paid calling cards from ATT, Sprint, and MCI (improves my odds of reaching out to touch someone).
-Drivers license
-Emergency phone list. Includes e-mail passwords (encrypted) to allow accessing e-mail on the road.
-Two sheets of waterproof notepad paper.

POCKETS:
-Quality ball point pen (I like the Fisher space pen, but lose these things too easy)
-Pocket Kleenex
-small note pad
-more cash (keep the dough in multiple baskets)
-Fenix L1P AA LED flashlight

CARRY ON PACK:
-Small FAK, no sharps
-quality ball point pen
-med point sharpie marker
-Folding N95 masks
-spare credit card (different bank and type. Visa vs. MasterCard). I’ve been to places that only accepted one type of card. Also allows for quick backup if the primary card is lost.
-More cash, small bills. Maybe a roll of quarters for vending or phone use.
-cell phone and charger
-Cyclops xenon pocket flashlight
-Marbles brass mini compass on lanyard
-local maps
-tickets/reservation info
-MP3 player (anti boredom technology)
-good book
-playing cards
- AM/FM/TV/Weather radio AAA batts. (Passive intelligence gathering)
-Digital camera (don’t trust the baggage handlers).
-Pre packaged bottled water (the TSA used to frown on bringing my own water bottle)
-Food, snacks, munchies, goodies, and various delectables.
-personal medications.

*CHECKED BAG PSK*

PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT in small tan Maxpedtion bag

NAVIGATION
-BASE PLATE COMPASS
-LOCAL MAPS

COMMUNICATION
-FISHER MINI SPACE PEN
-WATERPROOF NOTE PAD
-EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
-AM/FM/TV RADIO (SAME AS ABOVE)

TOOLS
-AL MAR ULTRALIGHT FALCON
-SAS SURVIVAL MANUAL
-SEWING KIT
-HEAVY DUTY THREAD
-HEAVY DUTY NEEDLE
-BUTTONS
-RUBBER BANDS
-SAFETY PINS
-25 FT NYLON CORD
-DUCT TAPE
-ELECTRICAL TAPE
-TIEWRAPS (4)LARGE,
(4)MEDIUM,(10)SMALL
-THUMB TACKS
-MINI HACK SAW (cut down hack saw blade with paracord handle)
LIGHT
-GERBER ULTRA INFINITY LED FLASHLIGHT
-AA LITHIUM BATTERIES
-AAA LITHIUM BATTERIES

HEAT
-BUTANE LIGHTER (NIXED FOR THIS TRIP)
-MAGNESIUM FIRE STARTER (NIXED FOR THIS TRIP)

SIGNALING
-SIGNAL MIRROR
-FLOURESENT SURVEYERS TAPE
-WHISTLE ACME/ORION “TORNADO”

I may add the following belt pack FAK to the checked baggage:

PAIN-
NUPRIN
TYLENOL
ASPRIN
STING EZE
STING WIPES (3)

CLEANING-
WOUND WIPES (6)
EYE DROPS

OINTMENT/LOTION-
A&D OINTMENT
NEOSPORIN (4)
CORTAID
HAND LOTION
BLISTEX
SUNSCREEN SPF30
CUTTER 33%

TOOLS-
TWEEZERS
NEEDLE/SEWING KIT
SAFETY PINS
PENCIL/PEN
FISHER PEN
WATERPROOF PAPER
ACCIDENT REPORT
WILDERNESS FIRST-AID MANUAL
BUTANE LIGHTER (purchase at destination end)

BANDAGES-
BAND-AIDS
ELBOW/KNEE BANDAGE
STERI-STRIPS
BUTTERFLY BANDAGES
MOLE SKIN-BLISTERS
ACE BANDAGE
(4) LG BANDAIDS
(2) STERI-WIPES
(5) BUTTER FLY BANDAIDS

For checked bags, locks are pretty much pointless. The potential thieves will cut the locks or have keys if using TSA friendly locks. My checked bag is typical black nylon that looks similar to a million other bags. At the baggage carousel it is just different enough that it will not be confused with someone else’s bag. I still like to do some basic securing to prevent accidental opening or discourage an opportunistic quikee look-see. I use black nylon tie-wraps to secure the zippers. The colored tie-wraps call too much attention to the bag. Rather than buying expensive serial numbered tie-wraps, I just use a sharpie to make a mark on the tie-wrap. The mark will go unnoticed at casual glance, but if my tie-wraps are cut and replaced, I will know it before I leave the airport. The biggest problem is cutting the wraps at the destination. My knife is inside this checked bag. Knives aren’t the best cutter for nylon tie-wraps anyway (just ask my thumb last Christmas Day). I have been using a small set of nippy cutter in an unsecured compartment of the bag (usually stuffed full of underwear and socks). I am intrigued by the use of split rings to secure the zipper. It slows down anyone without cutting tools and doesn’t require tools on my part when I get my bags back. No solution is good, but it kills me to buy a lock with master keys in the possession of my friendly neighborhood Fed.

TR

True enough. However, as a tall, thin geeky lad with glasses, I don't look very threatening, especially at 130 pounds. I find people believe what I tell them. I'd say I was a boyscout when I was young and their motto is "Be prepared." It always works. Maybe I have an honest face. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

-- Craig

I'm currently on a bit of a "world tour" (Amsterdam, Cyprus, London and New York City) and have a suggestion or 2.

1. Water. Plenty of clean water. I carry a liter in my carry-on.

2. Purel or similar hand sanitizer. Wash your hands constantly.

3. A small towel for your lap so the coffee lands on the towel, not your last pair of clean trousers. It makes a fine littl epillow for your head on the plane and at the airport. Douglas Adams had it right - always bring a towel.

4. Tiny "bud" style headphones. Two jobs - ear plugs to keep the noise down and you can listen to the movie if you want.

5. Food - some snacks other than the wet, too-hot or too-cold crap. I carry beef jerkey, granola and dried fruit leather.

6. Anti-Diarreah medicine. You can safely DOUBLE the dose of Immodium-AD products when you really need it. Trust me on that.

What you're putting together is an ASK (Airport Survival KIt). A plane has all the tools and equipment you'll ever need in the air. It's the darn aorports that are horrid.

see also http://www.focazio.com/equipped/air/air.html