Experience taking Bunker Gear across the border?

[Bucko5]

I'm taking the Training Division course and am wondering if anyone else has experience taking their bunker gear across the border for the 2 week boot camp? Training Division said most guys rent gear down there as it may be a hassle at the border, however it costs $200 dollars...if I'm able to I wouldn't mind spending that money elsewhere.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Cheers.

[PNEFD]

While I have no idea how airport/airlines handle it, I have taken both gear and SCBA across the border by car many times without issue.

[Pickupman]

It is very possible you may be stopped because they think you are going to work, if that happens and you have to reschedule last minute training division charges 250 to reschedule your boot camp.
I rented when I was there and it was worth it, then you are not stuck cleaning your gear or if it gets damaged having to explain that to a fire chief back home. and bringing your gear makes you liable for any injuries to yourself if you gear hasnt bee maintained properly so I say use theirs. it isnt great stuff but if it gets ruined oh well.

[PNEFD]

That's the little extra bit I should have posted earlier... I made sure to inform them that I did have gear and SCBA, and that it was for attending training (where and when), not work.

Pickupman does have a point about wear and tear on your gear though. I was lucky enough that my Chief approved the use, and was not too concerned.

[fireemt]

I have traveled to the U.S. several times ( texas) and internationaly( Paris, New Zealand)with my bunker gear and have never had an issue. If your gear has some " fire related smell" to it just double bag it insde youe bunker gear bag. Some times they open it and sometime they don't . Hope I'm not to late with this infor. I just found this question.

[knowsnothing]

[quote=""Pickupman""]It is very possible you may be stopped because they think you are going to work, if that happens and you have to reschedule last minute training division charges 250 to reschedule your boot camp.
I rented when I was there and it was worth it, then you are not stuck cleaning your gear or if it gets damaged having to explain that to a fire chief back home. and bringing your gear makes you liable for any injuries to yourself if you gear hasnt bee maintained properly so I say use theirs. it isnt great stuff but if it gets ruined oh well.[/quote]

Seriously?

I took my gear to training division and was happy I did. My chief supplied me with brand new gear and it was way better. They run the tan gear there which is nice as we did too and I didn't stand out. They run black helmets for the general ff's, yellows for lt's and red for cpts. that was the only "issue" but I ended up being a lt anyways so.... it worked out just fine (I had a yellow helmet).

I was glad I took mine and nobody thought I was going to work.... jeeze, you think they have never seen a ff going on a course before at the border?

[Pickupman]

Im not just talking out of my ass. A guy on my bootcamp was scheduled to a prior bootcamp and was stopped crossing the border at buffalo and denied entry forcing him to change bootcamps.

I doubt its common and clearly people have done it with no issue but you are leaving it to chance.