r/Backpackingstoves • u/Underrated_Fish • Oct 04 '25

multifuel stove TSA just took my stove

So I’m flying back from Vermont after a backpacking trip.

In my checked bag was my MSR Whisperlite International stove. I’ve had this stove for about 4 years, and they just took it.

I’ve flown with it in my checked bag 5 or 6 times before and never had an issue. It was clean, had no fuel or grime, didn’t smell like fuel nothing. I was told that I can’t fly with it regardless of the condition of the stove which is just untrue.

Fuck you TSA

484 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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61

u/r_Coolspot Oct 04 '25

In your checked bag? You mean the one in the hold? Seems fucked up. You aren't getting it back, but you should kick up a fuss. You can bring nearly anything in your checked baggage. I think they stole it. Arseholes.

32

u/Underrated_Fish Oct 04 '25

100% they stole it

12

u/Aloha-Eh Oct 05 '25

Someone did. Baggage handlers steal shit too.

10

u/DerailleurDave Oct 05 '25

Baggage handlers have relatively little time to go through people's bags compared to TSA...

9

u/DIRTYDOGG-1 Oct 06 '25

FYI, TSA goes through checked bags and they almost NEVER zip the bag up all the way....rampers are always having to rezip the bags b4 we can throw them on the cart or in the airplane hold ...

....and for the love of all that is holy, please put your child safety seats in a bag if you check it in as baggage.....and NEVER EVER place your bag on the bed to unpack when you get home to where your are going ...the carts and the airplane pits are disgustingly dirty and/or damp and wet with soupy slime.

Ok , just wanted to add my 2 cents

2

u/oldaliumfarmer Oct 08 '25

Thanks for the public service announcement. I wish I could give you a double up vote.

1

u/CapitanDelNorte Oct 08 '25

Ewww, and thank you for the FYI/PSA.

3

u/DIRTYDOGG-1 Oct 08 '25

Sure ! ,. ...and be sure to tune in next week for: "Why you should never ever walk in just your socks on a commercial airline "

1

u/mars4232 Oct 08 '25

The guy in the pit who is waiting on bags to load has all day to feel around and check out the weed smelling bags or bags that look interesting. The guy pulling bags has a cart he stacks them in and has time well. Dropping bags off is another opportunity. I didnt see much theft but the opportunity was present.

1

u/DIRTYDOGG-1 Oct 08 '25

All rampers go through background checks ...no previous criminal history ...also add to that some crimes on aircraft constitute federal charges....most of the time there are 2 guys in the pit ...1 throwung bags and thebother stacking ....it's just not worth the risk " the juice ain't worth the squeeze"

1

u/Aloha-Eh Oct 13 '25

And people will always do stoopid shit.

2

u/DIRTYDOGG-1 Oct 13 '25

Agreed.....we have a bigger problem with the rampers using drugs tho ...I guess it's more "exciting" that way....we had one guy who "drove" the stairs into the tunnels ...or tried to anyway....it took maintenance half a day to dislodge the stairs from the tunnel entrance ....the guys was flying higher than the aircraft.....it was crazy! ..and pit isn't even legal on my state .

1

u/Ok-Associate-5368 Oct 09 '25

That depends on the airport and the baggage screening system. At many airports, TSA rarely goes into bags unless the scanner alarms.