Airline Travel w/ Electronics Project - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: krenzo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 01:44:09 am
content: I was recently contacted by a very large, well known company on the west coast (I'm closer to the east coast) to demo an electronics project I've been working on. The tickets are all booked, and I'm wondering if anyone has advice for transporting my project by air which consists of a few breadboards and wires, several PCBs, and cables and antenna. I'm thinking taking it as a carry on would be best, but I don't know how well that would go getting it through security. Checking it in would be easiest, but then it could get lost or mishandled by people checking it. Any advice?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 01:52:32 am
content: Since it is somewhat irreplaceable I would not risk checked baggage, I would take it carry on. Best thing would be to pack it in a professional looking case such as one of those foam filled camera cases with cut-outs to hold things securely in place.Be prepared to have it examined after it goes through the x-ray machine, but most likely that won't happen. The things they look for in x-ray machines are: (1) knives, weapons and similar; (2) liquids, explosives, and things like that. They won't care about electronics.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 02:14:44 am
content: As IanB says, the best strategy would be making it look professional and legitimate.Please, tell us how it goes. I'm interested in hearing that story. Good luck on the interview!

author: marmad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 02:58:02 am
content: I've flown dozens and dozens of times with many PCBs and electronic parts - in everything from checked anvil flight cases to carry-on pack backs stuffed with populated boards. Never any problems, although it's happened a couple of times that they pulled me over to run the little test where they swab the inside of the case / luggage / back pack and then run an analysis on the swab. So it's not a bad idea to give yourself a little extra time for transit in case you need it.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 04:07:06 am
content: Similarly to marmad, I also have travelled around US and internationally with boards, components and test gear without trouble (although international travel requires paperwork and is trickier depending on the country).Inside US I can say it depends on the agent: in Dallas, Boston, anywhere in California nobody cares much, but I was asked questions by some nervous agents in Dayton and Washington. Just use common sense an all is well...Bon voyage!

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 08:54:52 am
content: If it is big you probably would be best to book a seat next to yours for the case. If queried say it is too big for overhead and too delicate for checked luggage. Book a low occupancy redeye and you will have less hassle.Then again I used to fly in uniform, often having a rifle on the plane ( which was unloaded, but which definitely would not fit in the overhead, so was always just on the middle divider and with magazine in a pocket) with no issue. We did have actual terrorists though, but airport security had sense then, not the Jobsworths you get now.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 12:42:47 pm
content: Get a letter from your employer or the client stating your business. Even just something quick and simple explaining what the items are and why you are travelling with them. Much easier to hand to a security agent than trying to explain it all at once

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 12:52:43 pm
content: The thing you want to avoid is other people on the plane seeing your PCB with wires everywhere.If that happens, and they freak out, it will only end badly.While on the plane never take it out of your bag for any reason.

author: marmad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 12:54:17 pm
content: Quote from: metalphreak on May 25, 2013, 12:42:47 pmThis is really an unnecessary waste of time - and besides, it could be faked as easy as pie. In my experience, security/customs personnel are reasonably well-trained to recognize the truth when questioning people - you wouldn't believe the MASSIVE amounts of electronics I have traveled with internationally for exhibitions (with no intention for selling) without the 'correct paperwork' without the tiniest problem from officials. And the OP is only talking about domestic travel.I've traveled internationally with as many as 3 of these flight cases filled with many PCBS without any paperwork:

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 01:04:32 pm
content: I'm a diabetic and I always travel with syringes/insulin. Every time I've been questioned I just show them the letter from my doctor and it's fine. I could have easily faked that as well. It takes 5mins to write up a letter and print it. Can't hurt to take one.There was an "artist" who created a watch with all sorts of electronics hanging out of it. It was quite clear he was trying to make it look like a bomb. Then he decided to travel on a plane and made a big scene when security stopped and detained him... Don't purposely try to piss off the airport security just to be a dick and you'll be fineEdit:http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_22028159/oakland-man-suspected-wearing-sophisticated-bomb-watch-at

author: Selectech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 01:17:03 pm
content: Fedex overnight is probably the best & safest these days.

author: marmad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 01:19:55 pm
content: Quote from: metalphreak on May 25, 2013, 01:04:32 pmI get your point but a syringe is quite a different matter since it could conceivably be a 'weapon' (e.g. they won't let you travel with any cylindrical shaped object that is longer than about 8"/20cm in carry-on anymore). And your original suggestion to the OP to "Get a letter from your employer or the client stating your business." is unlikely a 5 minute affair.Of course, you shouldn't purposely try to piss off security, but having traveled internationally so many times with PCBs for exhibition, I've done it both the 'correct' way - and the 'incorrect' way. The 'correct' way - of getting the appropriate forms, checking the gear with customs at the exiting port, presenting the paperwork at the port of entry, and then re-presenting the paperwork and goods for verification on the return trip - is both HUGELY time-consuming and expensive. Whereas just explaining honestly to officials at both ends that I'm merely exhibiting goods (not selling) and didn't have time to fulfill the paperwork requirement has worked fine every (i.e. dozens of) time(s).Quote from: Selectech on May 25, 2013, 01:17:03 pmI guess if you just want to throw money away - why not?

author: MikeK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 02:21:31 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on May 25, 2013, 04:07:06 amYep. And many of them are dumb as stumps. One of them confiscated my Craftsman keychain in New Mexico, on my RETURN flight:

author: marmad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 02:29:46 pm
content: Quote from: MikeK on May 25, 2013, 02:21:31 pmYou mean your ninja throwing star?

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2013, 03:08:01 pm
content: The jerk just wanted it. Want to bet it was never accounted for at the end of the day anywhere.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2013, 05:38:40 pm
content: My wife and I flew to the US with an electric wheelchair, Went through security in the UK with no trouble at all not even questioned about the case full of screwdrivers and other tools to fix the chair if required. Landed at Phoenix and had to wait nearly an hour for the chair to arrive, by that time just about every wire had been pulled from the chair it took a long time to put it back together again. All the damage had been done by the security in the US.

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2013, 07:15:38 pm
content: Yes american had become a bit Fool about security