Traveling on the plane with your detector?

[Robert2300]

Has anyone here traveled with their detector on an air plane?
I'm wondering what the best kind of packing would be and if they
had any problems, especially with TSA and later customs when
traveling overseas. There was a brief news report of some 400
TSA people arrested for stealing.
Robt2300

 

[Forrest Mc]

I took my AT Pro apart and packed it in a suitcase and checked the bag at the airport. If you do this leave the lower shaft attached to the coil or put the bolt and nut back on the coil, damhikt.

 

[Roscue2]

When I fly with my md I take it apart and put it in my carry-ons. Can never trust anyone more than yourself to get the job done right.

 

[Black Davy]

I have traveled with my Infinium and Tiger Shark, I always break them down and take carry on. I travel all the time and would not trust my detector to theft or damage. I did have one TSA a guy swab my unit, he had no idea what a detector was, thank goodness another TSA guy came over who did. If your unit gets swabbed who knows what could show up on that particulate scanner of theirs really depends on where your coil has been. I also have had issues with getting swabbed on generic items along with the other two people behind me, turns out the unit was messed up, cost me about 20 min in line. This would be the only reason to bag it and send it to storage is if you were to get swabbed and something was on your coil.

 

[darrenb]

I just made a trip to canada with mine, at the first of October. I broke it down and packed it in my checked luggage, along with my lesche and propointer. No problems at all.
HH
Darren

 

[coindude]

I carried mine on. Had it in the factory box. They do reqiure that there are NO batteries in the detector or the box. Good luck.

 

[Roscue2]

I carried mine on. Had it in the factory box. They do reqiure that there are NO batteries in the detector or the box. Good luck.

Hmmm, they have never told me to take out the batteries on my equipment with a carry on. In fact, last time I was flying the TSA guy pulled the GPP out of my bag and asked what it was, and then pressed the on button. Wow, never realized the GPP was so loud.

 

[TopperColorado]

I flew from Denver thru Atlanta and on to Ecuador. I fully dismantled my AT Gold and placed the shafts ( and digging tool) in my checked luggage. The control box and coils went in my carry on, all batteries removed. I had no problems at all. My checked bag got opened to look at a roll of quarters I brought but that was it.

I'll let you know how my return trip goes.

 

[skydealer]

I would suggest keeping batteries along with the detector if possible. I have run into issues where Airport Security wants to make sure what you are carrying actually works. But don't pack too many extra batteries... they will likely get flagged by the scanner because they show up as a bright blob on the screen. I do a lot of flying (I work for an airline) and every airport seems to be different, but I've had several instances where they wanted to see it powered up to make sure it was actually what it appeared to be.

Any digging tools should not be packed in carry-on.

 

[Robert2300]

I really have to question the sanity of some of these TSA people.
Suppose some smart terrorist DID disguise a bomb as a metal
detector; can you imagine asking him to put the batteries in and powering up? -)
KABOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, I'm just saying. These terrorist arn't too bright either.-)
Robt2300

 

[Johnho]

I've placed the shafts and coils along with the lesche and GPP in the checked baggage and carry the head in my carryon. Never been questioned. I put the shafts in the checked because there is a size limit on tools that I think is 7 inches so didn't want some TSA guy/gal taking it away as a "tool". Odd others have gotten it through TSA with the shafts if over 7 inches. Even the coil could be taken I think if in a checked bag by some zealous agent.