linus

For some reason, I always forget that I can't pack Toothpaste and Sunscreen lotion larger than 120ml. So I lost about a lifetime supply of Sunscreen Lotion.

The thing that I don't get is, why do they let me dump it in the trash next to them if those can be a dangerous substance?

Tourist in MSN

I was surprised to see metal tableware on an Iberia flight. That was in 2012, not sure what they use now.

linus

I forgot to mention if you have di2 or Etap system with batteries, you should remove them from your bike or bike case and carry them with you in the carry-on baggage. You will be flagged down by a security staff.

Rob_E

I noticed a sign on my most recent trip that outlined what you can't carry on, and listed something to effect of "anything that could conceivably be used as a club." On those grounds, it's hard to tell what they wouldn't reject.

As you using logic to determine what would and would not be an effective weapon, I don't think that's the safe way to go. I don't think logic comes into play as much as you'd hope.

For my part, I've had TSA search my checked bags many times. Nothing was ever deliberately confiscated, I don't think. The supports in my S&S case have had the end caps broken because, I suspect, TSA was less careful putting them back in than I was. Also on my most recent trip, when shipping a boxed bike, I used some of my gear straps as luggage straps. I had put minimal tape on the box, figuring TSA might need to get in, so I figured the straps would hold everything together if they cut the tape. On the way out, my box arrived with one set of straps still in place, and other gone, and TSA tape all over from where they had tried to seal it back up. On the way home, my other set of straps failed to return with the box, which, again, had been inspected by TSA.

antmaster5000

i forgot to put my tools in my bike box and left them in my carry on all the way home and lost all my allen keys and wrenches...

oh well i was due for a new set anyway

3speed

alan s 

manapua_man

Yeah security theater is an actual thing.

Wilfred Laurier

Flying from the East coast of Canada to Ontario earlier in the year I had to personally unbox my bike and all peripherals so it could be inspected. I had a number of CO2 cartridges and all but one were thrown away. They also detected petroleum on my bike and had to take a closer look, but it was allowed on without further problem.

The biggest annoyance was that the security checker made a snarky comment about the fact that I had clothes stuffed in around my bike, and that I really should have paid to take on a separate bag... even though Air Canada charged me like $30 for an 'extra bag' (extra meaning more than zero) AND like 50 or $70 for it being a bike, and somehow he suggests I am ripping off the airline? Anyhow, he let it go so I am *****ing about nothing.

indyfabz

TSA guy in Missoula took my huckleberry jam. Totally forgot I had put it in one of panniers instead of my checked bag. I suggested that he take it home with him. He said he was not allowed.

My favorite was in Whitefish. I had a pre-packaged cup of pineapple. Not even a short glass worth of juice at the bottom. The package indicated that the Net. Wt. was 4 oz. TSA lady confiscated it because it was more than three ounces. There was no convincing her that there is a difference between 4 oz. of weight and 4 fluid ounces. At some point she said "You know it's pineapple. I know it's pineapple. But I can't let you bring it through security."

Juan Foote

Not related to touring, but had my son's Gameboy get flagged as a 'possible explosive device' coming through the line. We quickly got shuffled off to a different area inside a thick glass cube to be searched and whatnot. It was fairly traumatic to the kid. Turned out that camping in the woods, near a fire, and whatever battery was in that makes a false positive.
Given what I go through as an amputee to board a plane now, I cannot imagine trying it with a bike or anything short of a carry on bag. I really try not to fly any more.

noglider 

A pedal wrench is well above the length limit, so mine got confiscated. Lesson learned.

Tourist in MSN

I have often brought a sandwich or two and some salads with sliced hard boiled eggs on several flights, but I always had the mayo packets for my sandwiches in my quart sized ziplocks with my other liquids. The salads were without dressing, the dressing was in some 2 oz bottles, also in my quart sized zip lock. They never looked at them for more than second or two. Once or twice I carried a sliced apple in a zip lock through too, never had a problem with the food I carried onto a plane.

The only concession I made when taking food onto a plane was if it was foreign travel, I discarded any of the food that I did not eat before I got off of the plane so that I did not get caught trying to sneak any prohibited imports of dairy or meat or fruits or anything like that into a foreign country.

seedsbelize 

My entire coupled bike got pulled aside in the international terminal, because they thought they detected explosive traces. Upon further inspection, it passed muster. I always take tires and tubes off, simply because it's so much easier to pack. I always have a packing instruction sheet right on top as well. As far as I'm aware, they've never pulled anything out. They do leave their notices in there though.

Tourist in MSN

If TSA looks in it, they leave a note. Above in post number 10 I posted a photo of the notice they left with my folding bike in an S&S case last spring.

But, if security in another country looks in it, they might not leave a note if their procedures do not specify that.

***

I suspect that more inspections will occur now with electronic shifting on some bikes that are powered with Li Ion batteries. I have no clue if the sealant in tubeless tires could trigger security VOC sensors that are looking for flammables or explosives. I am sticking with tubes, not tubeless.

gorob23

Like and idiot I forgot about my "spork" Combo Knife-fork-spoon kit and my swiss army knife .... mail or check it damnit.

Rob

veganbikes

This is why I hate flying and other similar checkpoints. Nobody is more secure (except those who make the equipment and clothing they use), tons of money is wasted and stuff is taken from you because they feel like it. Anyone could be a terrorist at anytime and there is no amount of TSA style screenings that will stop that. However we love our parades and pageantry so it fits well into that.

I remember my last flight in '06 I believe, I was "randomly" selected and they went through my bag which had nothing of interest in it and claimed I had incendiary or flammable materials in the bag (which almost never left my sight) and I went through everything that was in the bag ever and it was "nope that's not it" then I was like "well, what the heck is it". I didn't feel safe, I felt vulnerable, under attack and like I was some threat because I was visiting family and brought some items with me to get through the long flight like books and compact discs (woooooo scary). I didn't have to lose anything luckily but it was a nasty experience

indyfabz

I get pretty dark in the summer thanks to genetics. The first time I flew after 9/11 (early September of 2002), I was "randomly" selected for additional screening during all for legs of my round trip. Imagine the odds.

seedsbelize 

I was on a list during that period as well. Coming off international flights(the only kind I do), it appeared as if they were searching for me in particular.