Has anyone ever taken chainsaws in holdal luggage on flight?

[niconomadic]

HAS anyone ever done it?> drained on fuel obviously , would like to know , cheers nick

[treedave]

Thinking about doing it a job in the states. Might have to be a new boxed up one and bring a dirty old one back. Interested in others experience myself.

[Nick Watkins]

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/chainsaws/48940-taking-chainsaw-plane.html

[DrewB]

I have done it and though it's not at all legal going by aviation rules it can be done! Run the engine dry over and over again, clean carb, leave in the sun for a cple of days to vaporise and spare fuel, clean the engine so that it's cleaner than bran new, degreaser all over, absorbing crystals in Te fuel tank and then industrial heat shrink the entire unit with more absorbing crystals thrown in. With the effort it takes, it may jut be easier to put on a ship and freight it back.. Also of they find it they may confiscate it- for our Africa trip a 4stroke ascender flew into Cape Town but is being shipped out due to this reason. Ship does take 66 days though

[Si Stevenson]

My brother regularly buys new saws in the States and brings them home in his hold luggage. They are new though - so dry. He has never had any trouble, brought a 660 home last time, with 36 inch bar and chain.

 

You save a fortune buying in the States (obviously for your own use) - maybe worth renting one out there - then buying a new one to take back with your profit!

[Mr. Squirrel]

A mate took his top handle on a flight last month, poured all the oil & fuel out, put it in it's box and had no problems. Drew's plan sounds alot more pro though, perhaps he was just lucky...

[gibbon]

I've taken saws in hold all luggage on flights. We just ran the saws dry and cleaned then and taken bars off. Checked in as chainsaws and taken through over sized luggage

[DrewB]

There now on the dangerous items list and not allowed. At least on air nz and emirates..

[logbuster]

I bought a top handle in the States and rang US Airways and they told me if it had not been used they would take it in the hold. The dealer had to start it so I had to clean it out so like new. Even then the US security took me to their desk in luggage department and stripped the saw, removing fuel tank and carb. He knew what he was doing and congratulated me on a good clean and after he had reassembled it allowed it on board.

If they had refused it I would have had to leave it behind. The good news is that at London I declared it and the Customs just let me go through without paying the VAT or duty so in the end well worth it. I think I would ship if I bought another over there because the saving is well worth it but the hassle and thought of the airline or security not taking it is to risky.

[logbuster]

I forgot to say that the reason the dealer has to start the saw is for the world wide guarantee Stihl give and the dealer has to stamp that it is in working order. Also no US tax has to be paid as it is going for export.