Air Travel and Tools.

wearymicrobe HalfDork
6/22/12 11:45 a.m.

Stupid question, this is for work.

Normally I ship all of my tools by UPS a few days in front of a repair. They are in a old pelican road case from when I used to gig. This has always worked out pretty well.

This time I have to leave this weekend, tomorrow, and there is no way its getting across the country and into the middle of NYC in that amount of time. Can I just check it on the plane. Its full of some pretty sharp hand tools, and a bunch of weird testing equipment.

Thing is 45 pound monster.

theenico New Reader
6/22/12 11:51 a.m.

When I travelled with tools, every airline allowed me to check them with the traditional luggage. I carried drills, saws, box cutters, etc. They will not let you bring any of those as a carry on.

It's been a while (pre 9-11), so i would recommend calling the specific airline for their current policy.

emodspitfire Reader
6/22/12 11:55 a.m.

They will scan the case. You probably want to offer to talk with the TSA folks prior/during/after the scan.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker UltimaDork
6/22/12 12:02 p.m.

wearymicrobe wrote: This time I have to leave this weekend, tomorrow, and there is no way its getting across the country and into the middle of NYC in that amount of time. Can I just check it on the plane. Its full of some pretty sharp hand tools, and a bunch of weird testing equipment.

Fed-ex or UPS will get it there by 10AM tomorrow no problem. Insured. Get it to them before 3:30 today if you can.

ansonivan Dork
6/22/12 12:05 p.m.

I've checked a large duffel bag with 40lbs of tools post 911 with no questions asked.

wearymicrobe HalfDork
6/22/12 12:07 p.m.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:
wearymicrobe wrote: This time I have to leave this weekend, tomorrow, and there is no way its getting across the country and into the middle of NYC in that amount of time. Can I just check it on the plane. Its full of some pretty sharp hand tools, and a bunch of weird testing equipment.
Fed-ex or UPS will get it there by 10AM tomorrow no problem. Insured. Get it to them before 3:30 today if you can.

No one to receive them that quick that's the problem. Everything goes to NJ for this site then gets sent over.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker UltimaDork
6/22/12 12:11 p.m.

wearymicrobe wrote:
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:
wearymicrobe wrote: This time I have to leave this weekend, tomorrow, and there is no way its getting across the country and into the middle of NYC in that amount of time. Can I just check it on the plane. Its full of some pretty sharp hand tools, and a bunch of weird testing equipment.
Fed-ex or UPS will get it there by 10AM tomorrow no problem. Insured. Get it to them before 3:30 today if you can.
No one to receive them that quick that's the problem. Everything goes to NJ for this site then gets sent over.

You can send to the hotel - or hold for pickup at a UPS store. Not that I'm pressuring you to do that - I'm sure you can check almost anything that won't explode into the cargo hold. I know people who have taken high powered rifles, ammo and such hunting out west by just checking them in so a couple pointy things won't be trouble.

MadScientistMatt SuperDork
6/22/12 12:14 p.m.

When I worked for Amada - and this was all post 9/11 - we always checked in a toolbox or two in the checked baggage when traveling to work on customers' machinery. These days airlines may have a weight surcharge but should carry it no problem.

BAMF Reader
6/22/12 1:12 p.m.

I've also checked bags of tools, as have my coworkers, as recently as 2010. It's all well and good as long as you don't try to carry anything on.

glueguy Reader
6/22/12 3:19 p.m.

Go to the TSA website. It is very clearly spelled out. Gives lengths, what is allowed, etc. This is not an unusual occurrence.

rallymech New Reader
6/22/12 3:21 p.m.

My tools have an awful lot of air miles on them, pre and post 911. Most of the time they fly as checked baggage. The two important things to remember besides weight are: good packaging and no flammables or chemicals of any kind.

glueguy Reader
6/22/12 3:23 p.m.

sorry - here ya go to make it easier

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#7

rallymech New Reader
6/22/12 3:24 p.m.

I forgot to add that you need to assume the TSA will open your tool boxes. Make it easy on them and you won't have any problems.

Inventory and photograph your gear before you go. I have never lost or had anything stolen but I like to be prepared.

Basil Exposition Reader
6/23/12 6:29 a.m.

FWIW, Disassembled SU carbs in your carry on are actually OK, as long as they don't smell of fuel. :)

HappyAndy Dork
6/23/12 9:49 a.m.

I've travel with tools as checked baggage in the post 9/11 era too, just make sure not to exceed the weight limit and it shouldn't be a problem. I also use a "TSA approved " lock on my baggage. It has a combination for tou, and a key for the TSA people. (They have the key already)

blueafro New Reader
6/23/12 12:01 p.m.

HappyAndy wrote: I also use a "TSA approved " lock on my baggage. It has a combination for tou, and a key for the TSA people. (They have the key already)

So do most of the baggage thieves, including the ones that don't work for the TSA.

HappyAndy Dork
6/23/12 3:29 p.m.

blueafro wrote:
HappyAndy wrote: I also use a "TSA approved " lock on my baggage. It has a combination for tou, and a key for the TSA people. (They have the key already)
So do most of the baggage thieves, including the ones that don't work for the TSA.

As far as I know, its your only option for locking checked baggage. TSA can open any checked bag that they want to, locked or not. I wasn't suggesting to use one as an every day security device.

Tom Suddard SonDork
6/23/12 3:47 p.m.

blueafro wrote: So do most of the baggage thieves, including the ones that don't work for the TSA.

Plus the TSA will usually just break them anyway, because the keys are few and far between at security checkpoints. If a key isn't handy than the agent will just break the lock.

dean1484 UltraDork
6/23/12 4:04 p.m.

Tom Suddard wrote:
blueafro wrote: So do most of the baggage thieves, including the ones that don't work for the TSA.
Plus the TSA will usually just break them anyway, because the keys are few and far between at security checkpoints. If a key isn't handy than the agent will just break the lock.

Do they give you a new one?

Tom Suddard SonDork
6/23/12 6:48 p.m.

No.

mistanfo SuperDork
6/23/12 6:54 p.m.

dean1484 wrote:
Tom Suddard wrote:
blueafro wrote: So do most of the baggage thieves, including the ones that don't work for the TSA.
Plus the TSA will usually just break them anyway, because the keys are few and far between at security checkpoints. If a key isn't handy than the agent will just break the lock.
Do they give you a new one?

HAHAHAHA!

blueafro New Reader
6/23/12 10:54 p.m.

HappyAndy wrote: As far as I know, its your only option for locking checked baggage. TSA can open any checked bag that they want to, locked or not. I wasn't suggesting to use one as an every day security device.

Yes, you're absolutely correct, and I wasn't trying to imply otherwise, I was just injecting an observation from my universally sunny outlook on things.

alex UltraDork
6/24/12 10:52 a.m.

What about pulling the photographer's trick of packing/declaring/checking a starter pistol (or, you know, an actual firearm) with whatever it is you really don't want stolen but can't carry on? They'll check it before boarding to verify the contents and packaging, lock it up, then walk it onto the plane. Then they check it at the destination to make sure everything's where it was a few hours ago. They don't like loose guns, so they're strict about this stuff. And I don't like getting my stuff jacked by luggage throwing wages slaves, so I tend to be strict about that sort of thing, too.