wearyourtruth

so i'm headed home for x-mas tomorrow, and i'm taking a bike home with me to leave. i'm already going to be paying $100 to take the damn thing with me (it was $50 on air tran to san fran...) and continental charges for any checked luggage, meaning i'm probably going to carry on my bag with clothes/etc.

while i can pack the tools in the box with the bike on the way down, since i'm not bringing the bike back i gotta take the tools in my bag. has anyone had any experience taking bike tools as a carry-on? i wouldn't anticipate any trouble, but something like a pedal wrench can look a little violent...

peabodypride

Just leave a half hour earlier than expected. Maybe an hour earlier if you really feel it. The worst they can possibly do is ask you to step into one of the private TSA examining rooms, get a background check, and detain/interrogate you for a bit. I don't think they can deem you unable to fly because of a few wrenches.

If it bothers you that much you can just get cheapo tools wherever you're flying to!

deathhare

You will not be able to carry the tools into the cabin with you.

tradtimbo

https://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...d-items.shtm#7

I was just on this site today. I flew home for Xmas. Tools greater than 7" cannot be carried on.

peabodypride

Sorry to get a little morbid here, but I think one could easily kill someone with a 7-inch screwdriver.

(this probably just put me on the do-not-fly list.)

tradtimbo

some you can. I don't know if any of you rock climb, but I carry my rack on planes on a regular basis. If you've ever seen a rack you'll understand what I"m talking about:

https://www.gdargaud.net/Photo/CPACD2/JennyNiceRack.jpg

wearyourtruth

boooooooo trad!

actually, i really like the essence of trad, but i freakin hate crack climbing... i am surprised they've let you take your rack as a carry on. i could see passive pro, but to the untrained eye a cam is like "WTF? that looks dangerous"

carbonjockey

f that- i was able to do just what the op did. I delivered a bike to my brother, and flew back with tools carryon. I had a multipurpose tool (without blade), crank puller, crescent wrench, chain break, and odds and ends, and they didnt really care. they pulled my bag aside, gave it enough of a look to say they tried (ie a peek inside followed by bored gaze) and i was on my merry way. just do it!

peabodypride

this made me lol. TSA goons are tardcarts!

le'ehov

Put them in your tushie.

blickblocks

TSA took my headset wrench. I almost missed my flight as a result.

pacificaslim

You might consider shipping them back. A lot of tools can fit in one of those USPS "flat rate" boxes that cost the same (less than $10) regardless of weight.

sketch_austin

Leave the Co2 cartridges at home.

sandwiches

Call the airline and ask what you're allowed to take on.

cyclezealot

Something to not forget.. Once I had my pedal wrench confiscated because I hurriedly put it in my take on bag.. .Put it in the accessories with your bike box.. But, be careful.. TSA rips apart your bike box so much, stuff can fall out... Tape loose parts to an accessories container so that they will not be lost.. My box was so torn apart, it's a wonder the bike did not fall out.. You'd think they'd know how to open a box more carefully..

making

Stevie the spammer has been banned. Carry on.

adriano 

ive been randomly chosen for screening six of my last eight flights. on a good day, ill only be gang tackled for having a tire lever.

dewaday

Ship'em back UPS, it's not worth the potential hassle. I got detained 15 minutes due to X-ray showing a single allen wrench in the bottom of my bag, which led to suspicion and more searching, and an interview with a nice TSA agent. It's totally up to the discretion of the agent at the screening station.

ianjk

lol. I've never heard a climber dog on trad. before.

planyourfate

Just ship them. You'll end up with more room in your bag (or a lighter one) and little to no hassles.

Geordi Laforge

I assume that whatever information you'd receive from the airline's customer service rep would not always sync with TSA officers. I believe they have some measure of discretion.

+1 on mailing the tools back

sp00ki

8)

bmxdan

i tried to get on board with my tools (all under 7") and was still detained, but i think it was because my seatpost was over 7" and my crank arm with sprocket attached could be used as a weapon. I say just ship some of the more questionable tools and carry on tools like your crank puller, chain breaker.

wearyourtruth

well i made it down, i just put the tools in the box for this round, but i got caught with my u-lock in my bag, had to go check it because of that, so i guess i'm just gonna suck it up and pay the $15 to check my bag on the way back :-/

peabodypride

Were you using a messenger bag out of curiosity?

When I visit my dad I throw everything in a big REload bag since I don't trust checked baggage. I'd be scared ****less about loosing everything if I had to check in a messenger bag.