How do you pack tools for airplane trip

[Kail]

I am going to work at another shop for 2 weeks, they have most of the tools I will need for my visit but I would prefer to bring my own basic socket set flashlights and other various hand tools.

I see that Continental allows 2 checked bags under 50lbs. I am thinking I can check my small plastic pick-n-pull box or just pack a cardboard box.

My concerns are having it locked but accessible for TSA inspection. I can ship something UPS but it can get spendy and if I can check something for free I would prefer that.

I know there are technicians out there that fly with tools, how do you do it?

Thanks!

 

[Kail]

Also

I have a very expensive Streamlight flashlight that I fear could "disappear" during TSA inspection, i will be bringing it with spare battery and charge station. Am I at major risk bringing this on carry on?
Or should I not even worry about it in checked baggage

 

[nit2wn]

Never flown, but I'd ship this all by Fed Ex, UPS, or something. Then you can insure it and know if it's lost, your paid. No headache that way with customs/inspectors/tsa. Just take a pic of the stuff in the box for even more insurance.

 

[dclassical]

I have flown international, on Continental, with tools many many times and all without any problems. I pack all the tools very carefully (bubble wrap) and use a sticker/tape to write what is packed. More delicate tools get bubble wrap and put in a plastic case that is labeled (tap and dies).

I do believe you can have a flashlight in your carry-on, I would put the charger and accessories in the checked luggage.

Edit: When you say they allow 2 bags < 50 pounds each, there is a fee for each bag I believe, unless you are Continental Elite member. And be careful to weight your luggage in advance because the fee to go over 50 pounds for non-elite is quite high I believe ($100 if my memory is correct - from a friend's experience).

 

[Kail]

I have flown international, on Continental, with tools many many times and all without any problems. I pack all the tools very carefully (bubble wrap) and use a sticker/tape to write what is packed. More delicate tools get bubble wrap and put in a plastic case that is labeled (tap and dies).

I do believe you can have a flashlight in your carry-on, I would put the charger and accessories in the checked luggage.

Edit: When you say they allow 2 bags < 50 pounds each, there is a fee for each bag I believe, unless you are Continental Elite member. And be careful to weight your luggage in advance because the fee to go over 50 pounds for non-elite is quite high I believe ($100 if my memory is correct - from a friend's experience).

Thanks how do you contain everything, do you use a toolbox? Canvas tool bag?

 

[eyeboltman]

Hi they sell tsa locks at most large stores. 10 years a go I would tape the key or leave a note on the lock with the lock open . Best to get the tsa lock , I travel in US over 100 times overseas 6-7 never lost things . Carry no tools on the plane wrenches or sockets . I lost 2 pocket knifes. Don't know about the flash light best to put in in the tool box. We had over 7 road guys travel all the time .Never lost things at the air port but had to wait for bays some times days . Don"t keep tools in the car in site , Keep out of site . Good luck . We want photos

 

[dclassical]

Thanks how do you contain everything, do you use a toolbox? Canvas tool bag?

I don't. I place the various bubble wrap "packages" around clothes and the other items I pack. Sometimes I will place them in plastic or cardboard boxes (if I fear the items, like bolts, may spread around if the bag is pierced).

The thing I noticed about TSA is that many times they will not return my TSA lock, will open the bags and not close them, but again I have never had any problems or anything lost.

The important thing is to check the weight, I am lucky to be allowed 70 pounds with them, which makes things much easier.

 

[jagxl1]

I fly with tools all the time. We use Pelican cases. They have a website.

 

[Keithinsc]

Flashlight as carry on, OK, I've done it many times.
As far as the tools, a sturdy toolbox with a TSA lock. Pack in the box a detailed inventory with pictures, just print it out and lay it in the box. Keep a copy on your person for when you retrieve the bag. You may want to look into insurance, your tools will probably exceed the max allowed when stolen....er, I mean 'lost'.

If it was me, I'd UPS to myself at the destination, or use a set you bought local at Walmart or HF.

Good luck, have a safe trip.

KeithinSc

 

[nate379]

Be prepared for it to all be held. We have had it happen a few times with our guys flying around to jobs with a Pelican type case. Get to their destination and fine out the case is being held for searching. You'd think with military orders they would figure it out a bit better.

 

[paranoid56]

you can carry on the flashlight. and with that one i would carrry it on. when every i fly (at least 5 times a year) my carry on stuff always has these in them
2 Flashlights
GPS unit
Laptop
electrical tape
usb thumb drive
some personal gaming device
zip ties
charging items for all the above
and sure other random **** that the TSA xray people always stare at.

 

[ryno]

I travel quite a bit,never with tools, but with guns
That being said,why don't you just get a rifle case and pack your own tools in it. Go to check in counter,tell them you'd like to declare a firearm. They will have you open the case and see that it's safe,drop a signed note card inside or outside depends on what airline, you lock your case and take the key with you.

 

[5lima30]

+1 on Pelican cases! We used them in the USAF to ship tools, sensitive test equipment, and even missile components. YMMV.

 

[RPH]

Pelican case and I use canvase bags inside. That way if box opens and it happens, it's easier to get them. TSA locks and straps ****, I have tried both them and Have had both cut by them. No tools what so ever on the carry on. You will lose them. I travel with tools on a weekly basis and anywhere in the world.

 

[charged355]

When my co-workers travel to work on rail grinders they ship all there tools to there hotel. Way easier than dealing with airport security.

 

[bad_idea]

if you need the tools for work, then the company should pay to ship them. most of the time the company will ship a couple joboxes and we stick our tools in them. if no joboxes sent, then we fed ex them and submit a expense report.

worst case scenario - i'm sure u are getting paid per diem. spend a little to have the piece of mind. i hate air travel, and it's only getting worse every day. they always search my bags and throw my stuff around. i pack my bags nice and organized. when i get there it is all in a wad and there is a note saying they searched my bag. wtf? if i wanted my stuff in a wad, i would've thrown it in like that! i'm done ranting.

i recommend fed ex or ups. if you insist on airplane, get a zippered tool bag.

 

[nehog]

A large USPS Flat Rate box... You can load it to 60 lb, and pay virtually nothing for shipping anywhere in the US. Reinforce it (on the inside) and use strapping as needed.

 

[nate379]

You work 2W0X1?

+1 on Pelican cases! We used them in the USAF to ship tools, sensitive test equipment, and even missile components. YMMV.

 

[copterdoctor]

I fly with tools all the time. We use Pelican cases. They have a website.

I use a pelican 0450 and a large husky brand tool bag... I fly A LOT for my job..
the 0450 is a great tool box to work out of too

to those talking about TSA "holding" or "removing" some of your tools...
I NEVER just leave my box with the ticket agent to be checked by TSA later. you can ask to be present when the TSA searches your box. I always say "I need to make sure all my tools are allowed through as that's how I make my living".... Never had an issue yet. just like if you are traveling with a gun. I'm pretty sure that you are required to be present for TSA inspection of firearms, so obviously you could do the same for tools.
I can't count how many times I've flown commercially with both tools and guns. it's litterally in the hundreds of times.. never had one tool disappear... ever...


edit... but I should add, I have had a tool box fall apart all over the baggage claim carousel... I usually stand at the far end of where your bags come up the conveyor (to avoid the impatient numbskulls who have to have their bag RIGHT NOW), all of a sudden I hear thunk, and lots of clanking... then I start to see single sockets/pliars/etc etc etc come around the carousel.... lol.. not a good day... luckily, I got about 90% of my stuff back....

 

[carhunter]

ah, the good old days...I remember hopping on a plane in '98 to pick up a customer's car, with an army surplus bag full or ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers..Security didn't even blink...

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is driving to the other work site an option ?

 

[broman78]

I use fedex ground with signature confirmation to your hotel.

 

[Mattlt]

Not meaning to hijack the thread, but this seems like a good place to bring this up.

I've always wanted to test this, but I don't fly enough to make it happen. Take a look on the TSA website, last time I checked it was OK to carry on a 6" long screwdriver! (It was either 6" or 7", I can't remember) Yet you can't carry on a small pocketknife.

I don't know about you, but I think I could do much more damage to someone with a screwdriver than I could with my little Swiss Army Knife.

 

[VHF]

Back around 1993 my friend in San Francisco has his '85 Toyota Celica GT-S stolen. He got the car back minus seats, wheels, ECU, and driveshaft. He wasn't able to find a used driveshaft out there, but I found one in St. Louis.

I flew out to San Fran with a carry-on tool bag (screwdrivers, wrenches, socket set, etc.) and the driveshaft as checked luggage. Fortunatly it was a 2-piece driveshaft. I went to the thrift store and bought the biggest old suitcase they had. The longest piece of the driveshaft fit diagonally in the suitcase... almost. I had to cut out one corner of the suitcase and the driveshaft stuck out about an inch. I covered the end of the driveshaft with duct tape.

I made it to San Fran w/o incident, although the suitcase never came out at the bagage carosel--I had to go get it at the airline bagage office--so somebody must have thought something was unusual about it, but they never said anything when I picked it up.

I had a story ready that it was a drivesshaft for a rare 1962 Alfa Romeo if anybody asked... I didn't want to admit it was for a 8-year old Toyota!

 

[Kail]

if you need the tools for work, then the company should pay to ship them. most of the time the company will ship a couple joboxes and we stick our tools in them. would've thrown it in like that! i'm done ranting.

i recommend fed ex or ups. if you insist on airplane, get a zippered tool bag.

Its my company so I have to pay for it regardless haha.
I slept to long on this one and by time I was ready to ship I missed the boat and I would have to borrow tools for a few days till my stuff go there.

Soo I bought a husky 18" zipper canvas bag for $16. I am going to check the bag but see if I can take it to inspection since I want to make sure my tools get on.
I will see how it goes. I am thinking of leaving the streamlight at home and bringing my led mag instead.. not sure yet.

Thanks for the advice though, I will post my results for people to reference in the future.

 

[ZRX61]

Strap the toolbox to the floor & go....

 

[MattT]

I used to fly with a MAC hardside tool case for mechanical tools and the electrical in a soft case inside my hardside suitcase. When the approved lock nonsense started I got a locking strap for the MAC case.

Regards overweight bags I've been told mine were over several times but never got charged for it.

Is driving to the other work site an option ?

After 9/11 I started driving a lot further than I used to. Initially because the company grounded everyone and then because of the increased ********. It cut out a lot of airline connection and parts shipment delays. A plane ride might be faster than a 12 hour drive and UPS red might get the parts there by 9 AM but neither are guaranteed.

That and saved the company a lot of money on airport parking, last minute flights, and rental cars. Also made me money. If you buy low mileage used cars you'll cover all your costs and get back the purchase price of the car before it hits 100K at 50 cents a mile if you book 50K a year

 

[Kail]

Its a 28 hour drive, i can't afford that kind of down time..

UPDATE:
I flew with a canvas bag with my tools totaling 40 lb took pictures and included a picture in the bag for tsa.. my wrenches were ziptied together and my sockets where on a socket tray. they cut my ziptie and dumped out my sockets.. but everything made it unbroken..

 

[Walterchang]

Buy a pelican case or anvil type for future use. I have to fly with tools often too. Get one with wheels, 40 lbs of tools ***** to carry long ways. Fortunately when we go out of town our gear gets shipped, so we can have the client pick up the tab for our tools.

 

[Mike14k]

Several folks mentioned Pelican cases..... can't say enough good things about them. that's the way to go. Be smart and get one with rollers and a pull-up handle

And I'd put evrything in the Pelican case and just ship it UPS with tracking a couple days before to your hotel. you can check to see it arrived. Dealing with TSA and the airlines is painful. Not to mention hauling a heavy case in and out of an airport.

 

[isaac338]

I flew stateside to buy a truck with a normal metal toolbox full of tools. I locked it with a normal padlock and taped a label with my home address on it. Checked it.

One guy running the xray said "what is that, tools?" ... I said yes and away I went.

 

[Motofixxer]

You can fly with your firearm or a $20 "flare gun" (classified as a firearm) in a Padlocked hardsided checked baggage. Just mention you need a declaration form, and they will possibly want to inspect it. Nobody gets a key but you, and they can't open it without you standing there. Anything else in the baggage is your business and locked also. The Pelican cases work great.