Air travel with tools. Any Issues?

[Mark Hepburn]

You are at the mercy of the security goons. What will pass security checks at one airport might not fly (no pun intended) at another airport. I have heard many stories of the inconsistencies of interpretation of security regulations. One elderly lady had her knitting needles taken as it was determined they were a weapon!
Could you pack them and send them overnight by Fed Ex or UPS? That way they could be insured.

Thanks John,

I thought about it and was going to do that, but now I have a client meeting the following Monday in New Orleans. I had to change my plans to fly into BWI and drive so that I could catch a late flight that night and still not have to leave class early. So even if I shipped via UPS or FedEx, I'd have to check it on the return trip. And there is no way that I am going to ask David Ellsworth if he'd drop by UPS and ship my tools home for me. 😀

I'm going to do what Betty Scarpino suggested, as it works for her.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Mark, I'm just across the river in NJ probably 30 minutes from his studio. If you want to ship them to me and meet up I'm happy to help. Just another option.
Doug

Hi Doug.

I really appreciate that but my situation has changed a bit. I have to be back in New Orleans by Monday for a client meeting late morning. After reading your post, I checked to see if I could fly out of Newark late enough and that would have been great. But the only think that works now is flying out of BWI, which even with a 2+ hour drive, gets me on a flight and back Sunday evening. So looks like I'm traveling with the tools.

But every professional here on the forum who has replied has pointed out that they don't have any real problems, and I'm sure they have far more invested in their tools than do I.

Thanks very much for that offer!

Mark

 

[KellyDunn]

Mark, I have put notes and say its the luck of the draw. Last time I could see the inspectors. Went into xray and they opened the bag. Never even looked at my notes. And they were big. Hit the Auckland airport and got zero grief. Fellow asked me what I was up to and what was in the bag. He stamped my paperwork and sent me to the next guy who looked at the paperwork and just said welcome to New Zealand mate. No grief leaving either. Honolulu I thought was going to end up being cavity searches with no lube. The Kiwi baggage handler remembered me and asked how my trip had been. Since 9-11 dont even think about hand carry on tools. Know that your stuff stands a very good chance of going through but it stands a better chance of being searched. I hit the Kona airport and ended up knowing a TSA agent who was also a turner. Asked where I was headed. Said he was jealous and sent me on my way unsearched. But how rare is that? I did make the mistake of taking some ca glue that I thought was wrapped very well. When they repacked they managed to break it open. What a mess. So never again. Maybe next time I will try the note of sharp wookworking tools be careful and see if that helps.

 

[hockenbery]

Confession time

We taught a kids class in Portland in 2007.

Took some #16 nails for the kids to make a center mark with and then use the safe centers.

Kids made great gavels. When we were cleaning up I tossed the nails in my carry on computer bag.

I totally forgot they were in there. A couple of years later and who knows how many airports I find the nails.

Makes one wonder.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Mark, I have put notes and say its the luck of the draw. Last time I could see the inspectors. Went into xray and they opened the bag. Never even looked at my notes. And they were big. Hit the Auckland airport and got zero grief. Fellow asked me what I was up to and what was in the bag. He stamped my paperwork and sent me to the next guy who looked at the paperwork and just said welcome to New Zealand mate. No grief leaving either. Honolulu I thought was going to end up being cavity searches with no lube. The Kiwi baggage handler remembered me and asked how my trip had been. Since 9-11 dont even think about hand carry on tools. Know that your stuff stands a very good chance of going through but it stands a better chance of being searched. I hit the Kona airport and ended up knowing a TSA agent who was also a turner. Asked where I was headed. Said he was jealous and sent me on my way unsearched. But how rare is that? I did make the mistake of taking some ca glue that I thought was wrapped very well. When they repacked they managed to break it open. What a mess. So never again. Maybe next time I will try the note of sharp wookworking tools be careful and see if that helps.

Hi Kelly,

I guess it is the luck of the draw. I am going non-stop both ways and in New Orleans I can actually talk to the xray screener. BWI is probably a different story. I'm doing the note Betty suggested. And tossing in a couple of books on wood turning to boot.

And hoping - really, really hoping - that I don't get cavity searched. 🙂

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Confession time

We taught a kids class in Portland in 2007.

Took some #16 nails for the kids to make a center mark with and then use the safe centers.

Kids made great gavels. When we were cleaning up I tossed the nails in my carry on computer bag.

I totally forgot they were in there. A couple of years later and who knows how many airports I find the nails.

Makes one wonder.

It do make one wonder, doesn't it? Did you see in the news about the woman who was told she had to discard the breast milk she had for her newborn infant? She settled with the TSA recently. Too bad it's our tax dollars that paid instead of the dummies at the airport themselves.

By the way Al, I want to go on record here. I don't think you should be using kids as gavels. Just sayin...

 

[Bill Boehme]

If you can stand one more input, I just finished an all day class with a well known turner from the mountains of western North Carolina who has been here with the Woodturners of North Texas all week teaching classes. The subject of airline travel with woodturning tools came up during our lunch break. He said that his personal experience with carrying tools in a gun case is that you receive all sorts of special treatment as soon as you enter the airport terminal. Folks come up and want to escort you and offer to carry your gun case for you and really inquisitive about the contents. He said that while he appreciated all the attention and special treatment, he almost missed some flights because of that. I think that he concluded regular luggage was a bit less of a hassle. I didn't join in the conversation because I was more focused on my chicken parmigiana at the time. If you're ever in Fort Worth, Big Joe's Pizza and Pasta in Haltom City is worth checking out. 😀 The class was great, too. Good day, all around.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

If you can stand one more input, I just finished an all day class with a well known turner from the mountains of western North Carolina who has been here with the Woodturners of North Texas all week teaching classes. The subject of airline travel with woodturning tools came up during our lunch break. He said that his personal experience with carrying tools in a gun case is that you receive all sorts of special treatment as soon as you enter the airport terminal. Folks come up and want to escort you and offer to carry your gun case for you and really inquisitive about the contents. He said that while he appreciated all the attention and special treatment, he almost missed some flights because of that. I think that he concluded regular luggage was a bit less of a hassle. I didn't join in the conversation because I was more focused on my chicken parmigiana at the time. If you're ever in Fort Worth, Big Joe's Pizza and Pasta in Haltom City is worth checking out. 😀 The class was great, too. Good day, all around.

So I'll put on my Richard Nixon mask, stuff my tools in a gun bag and get personal service from TSA. Awesome!

 

[hockenbery]

, I just finished an all day class with a well known turner from the mountains of western North Carolina who has been here with the Woodturners of North Texas all week teaching classes. . 😀 The class was great, too. Good day, all around.

Would that be code for Joe Ruminski? Joe is a darn fine teacher.
Joe told me he was heading for Texas.
Al

 

[Gretch Flo]

tools in carry on

A few years back when I flew to my home town for Thanxgiving, H. Depot had a sale of Dewalt drills for $99. 18 volt. I bought 2-one for my son, and one for me. Left one there to bring back when I drove. Other for my son I had in carry on. They were going to confiscate it or I could send it back for check in (for $25-which I did). It was in the original unopened box. I asked why for heavens sake is a drill, no bits a hazard. Reply=it's over 7 inches!!!! Now danger? I guess I could hurl it (but my entire carry on could probably do more damage), or maybe screw the TSA agents!!!!😱 Gretch

 

[Bill Boehme]

Would that be code for Joe Ruminski? Joe is a darn fine teacher.
Joe told me he was heading for Texas.
Al

Oh well, since he blabbed, I may as well confess that it was him. He is doing an all day demo today for the club.

 

[Hu Lowery]

might as well add a cap

So I'll put on my Richard Nixon mask, stuff my tools in a gun bag and get personal service from TSA. Awesome!

Add a plain black baseball cap with the bill turned straight to the rear and you should be golden. Got to look professional!

I think it was Doctor Seuss that came up with the ad slogan "Quick Henry, the flit!" Years later but before 9-11 he was honored by some advertising organization and they gave him a golden flit gun. When he got to the airport and they asked him if he had anything to declare he said "Just a flit gun." GUN?!? Great excitement until he managed to get it out and show them what a flit gun was.

Hu

 

[Mark Hepburn]

A few years back when I flew to my home town for Thanxgiving, H. Depot had a sale of Dewalt drills for $99. 18 volt. I bought 2-one for my son, and one for me. Left one there to bring back when I drove. Other for my son I had in carry on. They were going to confiscate it or I could send it back for check in (for $25-which I did). It was in the original unopened box. I asked why for heavens sake is a drill, no bits a hazard. Reply=it's over 7 inches!!!! Now danger? I guess I could hurl it (but my entire carry on could probably do more damage), or maybe screw the TSA agents!!!!😱 Gretch

So, if I cut my tools down to the flute I'm ok. 😀

I think I bought that same dewalt drill. XP with battery and charger.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Add a plain black baseball cap with the bill turned straight to the rear and you should be golden. Got to look professional!

I think it was Doctor Seuss that came up with the ad slogan "Quick Henry, the flit!" Years later but before 9-11 he was honored by some advertising organization and they gave him a golden flit gun. When he got to the airport and they asked him if he had anything to declare he said "Just a flit gun." GUN?!? Great excitement until he managed to get it out and show them what a flit gun was.

Hu

Hi Hu. How's things up north? 🙂

Love the hat idea. With the price tag still on or no?

I think dr. Seuss is running the TSA now...

You cannot bring your Gatorade,
But oops, we that guy's switchblade,

You cannot, should not bring a drink,
But you can carry on a kitchen sink.

And so on.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Hi Hu. How's things up north? 🙂 ....

I remember that Justin Wilson once explained that "up north" meant anything north of Lake Charles or Lafayette. 😀

Baton Rouge was way up north.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

I remember that Justin Wilson once explained that "up north" meant anything north of Lake Charles. 😀

That's correct. Anyting nort' of da I-10.

Dat ain't misspellin down heah. 😀

Justin was born in Hu's town of Roseland. Ironic, isn't it?