Sensible traveler Destinations Where they went Travel gear
A dab of confusion at the airport
By Bruce Mohl, Globe Staff, 12/08/02
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Sensible traveler Destinations Where they went Travel gear
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At Logan International Airport, an American Airlines agent informed him that his paints were hazardous substances and not allowed on the plane, either in checked or carry-on baggage. Vokey explained that the paints contained only linseed oil and were nonflammable, but the agent insisted paint was paint and confiscated every tube — approximately $300 worth.
Paint seizures at airports have set the art world on edge, forcing many artists either to cancel travel plans or to make elaborate and costly arrangements to purchase paint at their destinations or send materials ahead through the mail.
"It's crazy," said Barbara Dahill, director of the Guild of Boston Artists. "It all depends on what kind of mood the guy's in when you pass through."
Artists such as Vokey, who is planning another trip to the Bahamas in March, and Al Fisher, who is going to France in February, say they have had a hard time finding out whether artist paints are in fact prohibited on planes. Fisher has called Logan, his airline, and the Federal Aviation Administration, all to no avail.
It's a tricky question, as I found out in trying to get an answer. The agencies in charge of airport security say the paints are forbidden, but paint companies and artist publications say security officials often allow artist-grade paints through.
The Artist's Magazine, for example, advises its readers to leave all palette knives and solvents at home, but says artist paint usually is allowed on board. The magazine urges artists to come to the airport with material safety data sheets on their paints. These sheets contain fire and explosion data that show the flash point temperature. Any flash point above 140 degrees Fahrenheit is considered safe, the magazine says.
When customers talk with airport security officials, the Gamblin Artists Colors Co. of Portland, Ore., advises, they should not describe their paints as oil paints. Instead, the company says, call them artist-grade paints made from vegetable oil and stress that they contain no solvents. Gamblin makes material safety data sheet information available on its Web site, www.gamblincolors.com.
Paint is not even mentioned among the banned items listed on the Web site of the federal Transportation Security Administration (www.tsa.gov), which is in charge of security for carry-on luggage and will handle checked baggage as of Jan. 1.
Only turpentine and paint thinner are listed as banned under the heading flammable items, but at the bottom of the flammable section is a link to an FAA Web site (http://cas.faa.gov/these.html) that lists hazardous materials regulated by that agency. Paints are listed there, with no distinction made between a tube of artist paint and a gallon of house paint.
Jim Peters, a spokesman for the FAA, said artist paint falls in one of the gray areas of security. He said a decision about allowing it on board probably would be up to the Transportation Security Administration official checking the material. "As a general rule, oil paints are banned for luggage and carry-on luggage," Peter said, while water-based paints are allowed.
Heather Rosenker, a spokeswoman for the TSA, said all oil paints, including artist paints, are considered hazardous and would not be allowed on a plane. "We recommend that anyone wishing to carry their artist paints with them mail them ahead of time," Rosenker said.
Vokey, whose work is currently on display at the Guild of Boston Artists at 162 Newbury St., is uncertain what he will do when it comes time to fly again. He says he may ship his paints separately, but worries about the cost.
Dahill and other artists would like a chance to convince federal officials that artist-grade paints are safe. She is also amenable to packaging them in a way that allows easy inspection. She shuns paint tubes, for example, packing even water-based paints in glass jars that can be easily opened.
"There's got to be some way," Dahill said.
hdbriefPaying twice
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On a business trip last month, John Nichols of Haverhill was forced to pay twice for the same seat to Boston.
He was flying on Continental Airlines to New Orleans, with stops in Newark on the way down and Houston on the way back. In New Orleans, he unexpectedly bumped into his daughter, whom he doesn't see that often. On the spur of the moment, they decided to rent a car and drive together to Houston so they could spend more time together.
The trip to Houston went smoothly, but when Nichols checked in at the airport he learned that his ticket had been canceled and the only way he could board the flight to Boston was to buy a walkup fare for almost $1,000. The flight wasn't full, so Nichols thought Continental was acting unfairly.
"I've already paid for the seat. Why can't I use it?" he asked.
Rahsann Johnson, a spokesman for Continental, said any customer who misses a leg of a nonrefundable ticket without first contacting Continental will have the remainder of their ticket voided. If they call first, Johnson said, something usually can be worked out, although he said the passenger may be charged a change fee of $100.
Johnson said bypassing one leg of a flight has the potential to undermine the airline's fare structure and take away the seat from another potential passenger.
Rules may be rules, but Nichols has a point.
Bruce Mohl can be reached by e-mail at mohl@globe.com.