Globetrotting!

[Purge]

Hey everyone! Newb here, nice to meet you.

I had a question I really wanted to ask: I'll be receiving my first picks just in time for my trip to Europe (leaving on May 25th). We'll be twinned up with Deutschlanders for the first three weeks, then I'm going solo, cross-continent with my railpass for two more weeks.

The point is, I'll be crossing LOTS of borders by train, and boarding a plane twice (from Montreal to Paris, then back a month later) and I wish to take my picks with me to get a taste of what the C1510 set was tailor-made for. (With, of course, the permission of my twin, making it legal in Germany.)

I don't quite know how to sum my worries up, but for this phrase:



Metal detectors.


Is this ok? Or not? Or will there be more stuff to worry about?


Discuss.


Thank you for your time!

[omelet]

I wouldn't advise it; you'll end up losing your picks. Or at least the last time I rode the plane they were very strict about even a very small knife i had on me (though I live in the US and they're being ultra-paranoid nowadays, but are still missing the point...don't get me started). Anything they percieve could be used as a weapon (such as a sharp pointy metal object like a pick) will be confiscated and thrown away. Maybe if you do decide to try this, carry a self addressed envelope to send back to yourself if the situation arises so you won't have to lose them to some anal security officer. And don't carry on your person, they will definitely be picked up by the metal detector, and will look much shadier than otherwise. Wrap them up thoroughly into a package and store them in your bags if you must.

[Purge]

I wouldn't advise it; you'll end up losing your picks. Or at least the last time I rode the plane they were very strict about even a very small knife i had on me (though I live in the US and they're being ultra-paranoid nowadays, but are still missing the point...don't get me started).

Such as the famed nail clippers or old-lady knitting needles being confiscated but LIGHTERS, implements that can create FIRE and detonate EXPLOSIVES, being allowed so travelers can consume their favorite brand of cigarette upon arrival?




Is it really that bad? Wow, ok, I don't want to be pushing the unpredictable limits of law enforcement officers, even outside the U.S., and have no money to waste. You're probably right, it wasn't the brightest idea to begin with.

[locksmistress]

They're disallowing lighters now. Zippo's throwing a fit.

[Purge]

http://edition.cnn.com/2005/TRAVEL/04/1 ... er.ban.ap/

Heh, cool, thanks for telling us!


The above article repeats the "mail to yourself" point. Hear it once and it's there, hear it twice and it sticks, right? Now I'm interested. What are the logistics of arranging for such a shipment in case of emergency? My hypothesis:

-Postage must ideally already be paid and applied to the envelope
-Envelope must be addressed and ready to seal, maybe filled with bubble wrap.

But what would be the return address in the top-left corner? Mine too?

[vector40]

As I am made to understand it from a Federal Air Marshal, lighters have always been banned in baggage, on the off chance of them exploding under pressure and starting a fire in the air. More recently, they've banned them in the cabin as well... mostly for no better reason than because that clause got slipped into a bill at the last minute and wasn't noticed. So it goes.

[digital_blue]

Back in the day when I was one of those filthy stinkin' smokers that our do-gooder granola crunchers are so adament in shutting down, I used to travel by air with a lighter all the time. When I would pass through the security check I would drop it in the basket with my coin, and I always thought it kinda funny that security would insist on lighting the lighter to ensure it was legit - like perhaps I'd gutted it and turned it into a leetle teeny bomb.

db

[master in training]

awesome!! you should have switched it for one of those joke lighters that shocks you!

[Purge]

I'm really glad you made that decision db. Now you're not hurting our Mother Earth anymore and you're preserving the existence she gave you. Do you want to consume hallucinogenic substances with me in celebration of being alive and healthy?




If anyone wasn't sure:

http://www.christinecolumbus.com/airsecurity.asp

Take along a pre self-addressed stamped padded envelope in case you've mistakenly packed something that security won't allow you to take on-board. Most security personal will allow you to place the object in a mailer and use airport postal centers to mail it to yourself.

Hear it thrice and it's confirmed. It doesn't really answer my question about the address at the top-left of the envelope, but now I know for sure that I'll be picking the Batsch family locks before too long. Thanks everyone

[master in training]

you could save the trouble of going through customs and just mail it to their house?

saying that i bought my pickset in ths US and flew back to the UK with it in my luggage and although they checked our suitcases they didnt confiscate the picks or anything, seems they didnt mind me taking them. they were in my main luggage though not my hang luggage so...

[vector40]

In martial arts circles where people need to carry weapons (training or otherwise) for a seminar or a demo or something, it's customary to mail them ahead of you. Same deal with some folks who carry expensive knives that they don't want to check into baggage.

[Chucklz]

Now that the TSA have wide wide leeways, some of the agents have developed rather sticky fingers. You may find your set confiscated for "National Security" reasons... or just because the inspector things that one of their friends would enjoy them.

I suggest poking around to see if there is an SSDeV meeting near where you will be staying.