TSA advice requested

hotreds · 05-11-2014, 08:55 PM

I want to take my XM radio and car kit as well as my GPS with me when I travel out west. Will TSA sh!t when they see all those wires and electronic gear and steal these items from me? Any chance I will run into an agent that has better than a 5th grade education and understands those items are not bombs?

Chainsaw13 · 05-11-2014, 09:01 PM

Shouldn't be an issue Hugh. I fly all the time with my laptop bag filled with all kinds of electronic gear/wires. Sometimes they'll take some stuff out and run it again, but that's only happened once.

gnbikes · 05-11-2014, 09:06 PM

You should be ok. They don't even require us to take out our I-Pads anymore.
G-

Chainsaw13 · 05-11-2014, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnbikes

You should be ok. They don't even require us to take out our I-Pads anymore.
G-

Yep, just laptops. With both a top/side X-ray, they can see everything.

hotreds · 05-12-2014, 08:40 AM

Kewl! Thanks!

tsolomon · 05-12-2014, 08:46 AM

We travel with a lot of electronics and assorted chargers. I always keep the valuable parts in my carry-on, GPS, laptop, iPad and cameras. I will put the cords and chargers in my checked luggage.

Sweet_Leaf_PDX · 05-12-2014, 11:32 AM

I've taken all sorts of electronics through TSA and never had an issue. I just recommend that you pack it as neat and organized as possible. They really can see everything very clearly through the x-ray. They can tell if it's full of circuit boards and computer chips vs full of explosives

Blueface · 05-13-2014, 06:14 PM

Last week, traveled with a roll on carry on loaded with electronics.
Not an issue.
Now, go one drop over 3.5 ounces of liquids or gels and you will get a cavity search.

Only item you have to take out from bag for scanner is a laptop.

pnoon · 05-13-2014, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Last week, traveled with a roll on carry on loaded with electronics.
Not an issue.
Now, go one drop over 3.5 ounces of liquids or gels and you will get a cavity search.

Only item you have to take out from bag for scanner is a laptop.

Or possibly a CPAP.
I've had some ask that it be removed and some that say in the bag is fine.

TJtorpedo · 05-13-2014, 08:20 PM

Somewhat related, but I had bought a nice lead crystal ashtray a while back, and it was in my carry on to take home. Went through xray, and TSA took an absolute s#$@ because apparently lead crystal has a similar density to C4 explosives...and by chance I also had a little MP3 player laying up against the tray. Let's just say that wasn't a very fun experience...

E.J. · 05-13-2014, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJtorpedo

Somewhat related, but I had bought a nice lead crystal ashtray a while back, and it was in my carry on to take home. Went through xray, and TSA took an absolute s#$@ because apparently lead crystal has a similar density to C4 explosives...and by chance I also had a little MP3 player laying up against the tray. Let's just say that wasn't a very fun experience...

Now that's funny... Not so much for you at the time, but you have a Hell of a story!

Blueface · 05-14-2014, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJtorpedo

Somewhat related, but I had bought a nice lead crystal ashtray a while back, and it was in my carry on to take home. Went through xray, and TSA took an absolute s#$@ because apparently lead crystal has a similar density to C4 explosives...and by chance I also had a little MP3 player laying up against the tray. Let's just say that wasn't a very fun experience...

Cavity search, I mean prostate exam?

tam · 05-21-2014, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJtorpedo

Somewhat related, but I had bought a nice lead crystal ashtray a while back, and it was in my carry on to take home. Went through xray, and TSA took an absolute s#$@ because apparently lead crystal has a similar density to C4 explosives...and by chance I also had a little MP3 player laying up against the tray. Let's just say that wasn't a very fun experience...

Lead crystal does not have a similar density to C4. Lead crystal reflects the x-rays back and instead of seeing through it you get a big yellow blob on your screen. That's why film photographers use lead bags to protect unexposed film when traveling. Anything that reflects x-rays is a "shield" alarm. All shield alarms require physical inspection.

Steve · 05-21-2014, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJtorpedo

Somewhat related, but I had bought a nice lead crystal ashtray a while back, and it was in my carry on to take home. Went through xray, and TSA took an absolute s#$@ because apparently lead crystal has a similar density to C4 explosives...and by chance I also had a little MP3 player laying up against the tray. Let's just say that wasn't a very fun experience...

Quote:

Originally Posted by tam

Lead crystal does not have a similar density to C4. Lead crystal reflects the x-rays back and instead of seeing through it you get a big yellow blob on your screen. That's why film photographers use lead bags to protect unexposed film when traveling. Anything that reflects x-rays is a "shield" alarm. All shield alarms require physical inspection.

And from the sound of it, possibly a full body cavity search...

Steve · 05-21-2014, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueface

Cavity search, I mean prostate exam?

Scary that we are on the same page...

tam · 05-21-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

And from the sound of it, possibly a full body cavity search...

A physical inspection of the luggage!

05-11-2014, 08:55 PM	#1
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,662 Trading: (63)	TSA advice requested I want to take my XM radio and car kit as well as my GPS with me when I travel out west. Will TSA sh!t when they see all those wires and electronic gear and steal these items from me? Any chance I will run into an agent that has better than a 5th grade education and understands those items are not bombs? __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

05-11-2014, 09:01 PM	#2
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,180 Trading: (96)	Re: TSA advice requested Shouldn't be an issue Hugh. I fly all the time with my laptop bag filled with all kinds of electronic gear/wires. Sometimes they'll take some stuff out and run it again, but that's only happened once. __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

05-11-2014, 09:06 PM	#3
gnbikes Feeling at Home Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Garry Location: Kent, WA Posts: 625 Trading: (3)	Re: TSA advice requested You should be ok. They don't even require us to take out our I-Pads anymore. G-

05-12-2014, 08:40 AM	#5
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,662 Trading: (63)	Re: TSA advice requested Kewl! Thanks! __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

05-12-2014, 08:46 AM	#6
tsolomon Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: The Villages, FL Posts: 1,246 Trading: (31)	Re: TSA advice requested We travel with a lot of electronics and assorted chargers. I always keep the valuable parts in my carry-on, GPS, laptop, iPad and cameras. I will put the cords and chargers in my checked luggage.

05-12-2014, 11:32 AM	#7
Sweet_Leaf_PDX Feeling at Home Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Jason Location: Portland, OR Posts: 605 Trading: (11)	Re: TSA advice requested I've taken all sorts of electronics through TSA and never had an issue. I just recommend that you pack it as neat and organized as possible. They really can see everything very clearly through the x-ray. They can tell if it's full of circuit boards and computer chips vs full of explosives

05-13-2014, 06:14 PM	#8
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: TSA advice requested Last week, traveled with a roll on carry on loaded with electronics. Not an issue. Now, go one drop over 3.5 ounces of liquids or gels and you will get a cavity search. Only item you have to take out from bag for scanner is a laptop. __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

05-13-2014, 08:20 PM	#10
TJtorpedo Feeling at Home Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Tim Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 600 Trading: (4)	Re: TSA advice requested Somewhat related, but I had bought a nice lead crystal ashtray a while back, and it was in my carry on to take home. Went through xray, and TSA took an absolute s#$@ because apparently lead crystal has a similar density to C4 explosives...and by chance I also had a little MP3 player laying up against the tray. Let's just say that wasn't a very fun experience... __________________