merlinextraligh

I posted as a side note in another thread , but I thought I'd start a thread and see if my hypothesis is confirmed by other's experience.

TSA was opening my bike case and inspecting it everytime I flew. At first I figured this was just because of all the various metal parts, and that bikes are a little out of the ordinary.

Then I realized that they might be concerned about the Water bottles and their content, given the whole bit about fluids, and containers (i.e. no more tha 4 oz in carry ons).

Since I quit putting waterbottles in the bike bag, I havent had it inspected, which to me is important, because TSA isn't careful in repacking the bike.

Anybody else have this expereince.

botto 

every time i've flown with the bike in the US, i've asked the TSA guys if I could wait until they clear my stuff, because it's a pain in the ass to repack.

so far they've been pretty cool about it. i only had to repack my trico once, and i'm reasonably certain that it was because the TSA agent wanted to see the bike. he told me he had been thinking about buying one.

jccaclimber

That's an interesting theory. I've had mine unpacked and repacked in a way that scratched the **** out of it in transport. Botto- I'm surprised they let you touch it after inspection.

botto 

maybe it's because i generally go through the business/frequent flier check in.

maybe because i gave them a heads up about what was inside, and the difficulty of repacking it.

Pedal Wench

The fluid limits are only on carry-ons. You can pack whatever you want in your checked luggage.

bdcheung

wow, I was going to post a gag picture of a bodybag. Did a google image search for "Dead body" and wow. just wow.

botto 

google firecracker and check out the first image that comes up.

bdcheung

It's a toss up. Exploded hand, or Tibetan monk cut in 'twain.

merlinextraligh

I understand that. However, the concern about liquid explosives/ accelerants would be largely the same.

My point is that the containers get their attention, and if they can't assure themselves by Xray that there's nothing of concern, they open it up to look at it.

merlinextraligh

your mother always told you not to play with firecrackers.

botto 

if truth be told, she didn't.

cparekh

American Airlines refers to that "passenger" as Jim Wilson.

Tri-FatBoy

... yes, the tubes are a scary place.

botto 

tubes? that's what happens when you pack a 12g CO2 cartridge in your bag.

UmneyDurak

I flew twice with my trico case. It wasn't opened. I didn't have any water bottle in it thought, and flights were short. Honestly I don't think there is any logic behind their inspection. Depends on what mood they are in, personality, if they like you/don't like you.

Porter20

TSA gets really, really mad. You typically get the fully body cavity search (the whole fist doc?) and miss your flight due to the delay.

I strongly suggest, you don't pack these when you fly.

merlinextraligh

Have some shipped UPS or Fed EX ground to your hotel.

roadwarrior

If you are using C02 for your flats, leave the cylinders at home. That gets ugly fast.

botto 

even easier - get a mini pump.

SandLizrd

I got S&S Couplers on the old road bike, so it's a more compact package but even more confusing!

Even then, it never gets messed up. I include a picture-book on how to pack it, just in case, but there's never been a sign of damage. I wrap the tubes to avoid scratches, though.

If you can, drop the bike at the machine. Check-in clerks don't really want to haul that heavy box, anyway. Lean on the rail and say hi, I'm just watching my bike case to be sure you don't have any problems, it's a pain to pack. This pretty much guarantees it won't get searched. Unless you look like a Mad Bomber or something.

The machine sniffs particles so they don't need to search for plastique, flammables or anything, they just need to know what all the metal tubes with two big hoops are

oboeguy

Interesting theory. I have my own about why my @#$% gets inspected most times I fly. It's annoying and I ain't no terrist. But seriously... regarding bikes, I had the headset on each of my folders trashed by a mix of inspections and poor packing technique. I fixed the latter and haven't had problems since. To keep the scratches away, I've started to use original bike packing material (you know, from when a bike arrives new at a shop). The guys at my fav shop give it to me when I ask.