tools to be checked on an airline

[betcd]

I am possible flying for work i will need to bring my own hand tools which i will be checking them i have not traveled with tools before on a plane. First question will the tool bags listed below allowed to be checked on the plane and is there any things i need to be aware of with tool placement in the bag. Second question can the bags be locked with "tsa lock" or should i do something different


http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

or/and

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051

 

[Brownsfan]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

You will need something that all the tools can be closed up into. Remember that bag is goung to be thrown all over loose tools will fall out. You will need something like this. http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051. Or a box like this http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hard...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051. Obviously they dont need to be this size but you get the idea. I traveled many times with tools and this is what I used.

 

[larry_g]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Near the end of my traveling career I got in the mode of using fedex to ship my tools to the hotel or jobsite depending on what was easier.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[porschedude996TT]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Box it up like you were going to ship it via UPS and check it in with your bagage.

 

[Outlawmws]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Yep nothing loos or it will be an empty bag wen you arrive. You may want to get an old Samsonite hard suitcase and pack them in there as a "cheap" alternative to a professional hard case.

CL and Freecycle are both good sources for cheap luggage.

 

[Walterchang]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

I fly often with my tools. A pelican case is the best choice, or a similar hard shell case. I
Inventory my tools before I go and always lock them with a tsa lock. It never fails that my case is searched. My mistake was to over pack a case once, tsa opened it and couldn't close it, all my **** spilled out on to the luggage carousel. Always leave room for the dipshits to throw your stuff back in what ever you use. They simple do not care enough to try and make it fit.

 

[rlitman]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Yep nothing loos or it will be an empty bag wen you arrive. You may want to get an old Samsonite hard suitcase and pack them in there as a "cheap" alternative to a professional hard case.

The Samsonite cases are likely to open up like a smashed clam from being bounced around. That's why people wrap them in a nylon strap. But while that will keep clothing in, it's not likely to retain tools.

Pelican is a different story. Those are much sturdier.

I don't bother with TSA locks. Instead, I use a funky colored fluorescent zip tie that the TSA won't have handy. I'll place a note inside for the TSA, with a different colored zip tie to re-seal the case with.
That way, by the time I see it on the carousel, I'll know if it was opened or tampered with.

 

[Wrenches of Death]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

My mistake was to over pack a case once, tsa opened it and couldn't close it, all my **** spilled out on to the luggage carousel.

I'm be more inclined to believe that they did that as a way to cover up their pilferage. News reports about about their thievery.

WoD

 

[JMcFly]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Near the end of my traveling career I got in the mode of using fedex to ship my tools to the hotel or jobsite depending on what was easier.

lg
no neat sig line

Gets there before you and can be insured!

 

[Davefr]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Gets there before you and can be insured!

^^^ Exactly.

FedEx will likely be cheaper then airline checked baggage fees and much more reliable. TSA will likely steal your tools if they open your bags and your bags could be delayed for days if you miss a connection.

 

[unslow1]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

I know guys that bowl, shoot pool and play softball tournaments all over the country. Most of them ship to their destination. They say it's much cheaper, less hassle and stuff isn't stolen. Then you can also insure.

 

[decaf]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

This will work:

http://www.parat.eu/Koffer-Licht-IT...ffer/CLASSIC:::2_12_40_45_60.html?language=en

 

[Motofixxer]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

You can also buy a $30 flare gun toss it in a pelican or other hard case luggage. Then just declare it as a firearm. It does have to go as checked baggage usually requiring extra fees. It gets locked with a regular lock and they can't open it unless your standing there. Its great security for any plane travel.

 

[flying2275]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

You can just put a regular lock on the bag or box. TSA will want to inspect it when you are present. Then put your lock back on it. All secure.

 

[srmofo]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

You can also buy a $30 flare gun toss it in a pelican or other hard case luggage. Then just declare it as a firearm. It does have to go as checked baggage usually requiring extra fees. It gets locked with a regular lock and they can't open it unless your standing there. Its great security for any plane travel.

Most carriers have guidelines about how to fly with a firearm...but none of their employees seem to know anything about it. I fly with Airtran most of the time, and every flight is different. Sometimes they want it locked, other times Im not allowed to cable lock the case to my luggage, and other times they actually want my ammo in a cardboard box loose inside the suitcase. Almost everytime I have to sit there and listen to the check-in person read and try to decipher the words on the page and what they actually mean. To me its pretty simple what they want, to the morons they hire its a guessing game. Most of these employees have no common sense what so ever and from what I have gathered they either dont train them on what the proper procedure is or the employee is too stupid to remember it.

TSA on the other hand, is pretty easy to deal with compared to the airline employees. Clear cut guidelines that they follow

You can just put a regular lock on the bag or box. TSA will want to inspect it when you are present. Then put your lock back on it. All secure.

Or if they need to get into your bag and cant reach you for whatever reason, they will destroy your bag or just not ship it.



IMHO you're much better off just shipping it to yourself

 

[phil53]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Mainly lurk here but I will give you some advice.

I use the husky bag you linked to with the wheels. My bag will weigh about 70 pounds when I get all the tools in it. I am usually flying to meet a ship somewhere and ships have minimal SAE tools and eyebolts. Easier to roll around than carry. Don't put anything in the outside pockets. I wire tie the zipper closed. TSA always checks it and leaves a note. Don't check anything with a battery, the whole tool will come up missing rather than just the batteries. Happened with my flash light once, no lead acid batteries, I didn't think alkaline batteries fell into that category. You can bring the batteries in a carry-on.

Some airlines don't allow hard cases, check with the airline.

 

[broinkrist]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

I have traveled twice with a smaller version of the home depot Husky bag. Got a TSA approved lock and packed it full of tools. not a problem at all. Just make sure you don't have anything that is flammable because TSA will take it.

 

[Big Gus]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

I used to fly with tools quite a bit. I just had a tool bag that most tools went into and I put that in my checked bag.

The bigger stuff, like prybars or long ratchets/breaker bars, I just wrapped in a towel, so clothes didn't get dirty and put it in the suitcase.

I have also shipped my tools to and from the destination, which is much less of a hassle and less **** to lug around, but from experience, I've found that doing so isn't always an option. It all depends on where you're at.

 

[WHT]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Years ago (before 9/11), while flying from Dallas to the UK where we were living at the time, I was forced to check a very small 4.5-inch Porter-Cable finish rotary saw that was in my carry-on bag. American Airlines said no even though it didn't have a blade and there weren't any 120 volt sockets on the airplane.

A Nigerian on the same flight (with a connecting flight to Nigeria) was trying board with four Michelin tires for his Mercedes. He was in tears because he knew he would never see the tires again once they were checked and had to clear Nigerian customs. The person next to me said someone tried to bring a small washing machine on a similar flight two weeks earlier.

 

[Toolman12]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Do your self a favor ship them to you before you leave will be cheaper if you use flat rate boxes from USPS. I traveled with my tools for years not worth the trouble to fly with them

 

[RPH]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Fly all the time with tools. Use cheaper tools today due to the security problems. Also found it better to place multiple soft bags with tools in the hard case. Easier to pick up when the box comes down the conveyor open. Doesn't happen often but it does. Actually see more people with loose tools trying to pick them up. Pelican cases are worth the cost.

 

[shoturtle]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

If are flying with your tools, do not lock your bag. They will cut your lock to look at it.

 

[zuk123]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

I fly with mine all the time. I use a pelican case. Some of my coworkers use the bigger version with handle and wheels.

Don't go over 50 pounds! Weigh it 2x. The fee for overweight will ****. If it's an extra bag and overweight, it can be $200 even if you have status on the airline.

I Fedex my case whenever I can. More often on the return trip than outbound. I could get my employer to pay the Fedex (just used their account #) but had to hassle them for the extra bag fees. United is $100 for extra bag, add $100 for overweight.

Use Fedex, UPS will not take it if it's not in cardboard.

I put my laser stuff in my carry on. Do not describe them as tools! The rules for carry on tools are much more restrictive. IE, it's a "measuring device" if asked.

if you like the home depot rollie bag, get a pelican to put it inside of.

My toolbag is in this thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142929&page=4

I don't worry about locking it. I zip tie it shut and put a couple in the bag. TSA will almost always replace the zip. I get searched every time, and haven't had any problems. You don't want to pack too tight, as someone pointed out. The monkeys need to get it back in...


zuk

 

[Toolhorder]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Just have the Snap on guy pick you up from the airport

 

[flying2275]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

Or if they need to get into your bag and cant reach you for whatever reason, they will destroy your bag or just not ship it.

I flew 8 times in the past year and probably over 50 times in the past 7 years with a 40lb tool bag for my employment. When I check in for the flight I say I have a bag of tools and would like them to be kept locked. I carry the bag to the TSA bag screener. I unlock it. They xray it then look inside the bag and usually swab it for explosives. They say I'm good to go and I put my lock back on it and they put an inspected tag on the bag and take it. In all the times I've flown I've NEVER had my bag reopened or destroyed.

 

[Provincial]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

In 1970 I flew from Portland, OR to Albany, NY to see my brother graduate from college and help drive his Model A Ford back to Oregon. My carry-on bag was 40 lbs of tools, including a full 1/2" drive socket set. Things were different then, but because of the fairly recent series of hijackings to Cuba I thought I'd be checked. I even changed planes in Chicago and never got a second glance!

I knew better than to say it, but I joked with my mother (who also made the trip to see her oldest son graduate) that I'd say "Take me to Cuba or I'll unbolt the wings!"

By the late 1980's the airlines were more sensitive about carry-on baggage. I was a freight pilot and two of our mechanics were dispatched to Oakland from Seattle to replace an engine on a DC-3 freighter. They had their Makita cordless drills in the bags that went through the x-ray the conversation went: "what's the problem, Gunnar (Ingle)?" "I don't know, Bullet (Bob Denton), but they don't like what they see in the bags!" Needless to say, the screeners liked the names worse than what they saw on the screens. The pilots licenses and A&P (aircraft mechanics) licenses calmed things down, along with the Company ID, since they worked for a FAA certificated cargo airline.

 

[zuk123]

Re: tools to be checked on a airline

When I check in for the flight I say I have a bag of tools and would like them to be kept locked. I carry the bag to the TSA bag screener. I unlock it. They xray it then look inside the bag and usually swab it for explosives. They say I'm good to go and I put my lock back on it and they put an inspected tag on the bag and take it.

This is an option too. I used to do this, but now I don't usually have the time.

I should note that I don't carry any battery powered tools except testers that take 9v or AA's. There are very specific rules for battery types like NiCad and especially LiON.

The advice to put everything in bags inside your bag is excellent advice. Especially if they are clear or mesh. I watch the guys searching, and they will usually keep an organizer bag zipped up, moving your 'modules' around. Or they pick up the little bag, zip it open, peek inside, zip it closed and replace. Keeps the little stuff from rolling away too. (Lafayette LA airport used to hand search EVERY SINGLE piece of checked luggage. No x-ray at all for checked. I got to be very familiar with the process in 9 months of commuting weekly.

I've carried my tools all over the US and Canada, and to the EU, the middle east, and China. I always worry until I see the bag come up, but I haven't had any problems.

Good luck,


zuk