Ever transport handcuffs by plane

If you're flying somewhere & want to bring along steel handcuffs for some fun, what's the recommended mode ? Carry on bag, so they can see the cuffs through the scanner ? Would you use your regular luggage & assume they'll see the handcuffs in the scanner ?

Or have you been brazen enough to just drop them loose in the tray to go through the scanner & collect them at the other end? I would think that would open you up to being subject to a lot of questions by the TSA to learn of your agenda, & lend possible hesitance to letting you proceed.

You must pack handcuffs in checked baggage. There will be no problem with that. Try to bring it with you on the plane and you're looking for big trouble, detention and search among other possibilities. They will not let you carry that on the plane.

So now what if you check your bag & a metal alarm goes off somewhere at some point ? I would think they'd wanna open your checked luggage at that point, no ?

They open your checked bags frequently without telling you sometimes.

I have had my baggage to be checked x-rayed and opened by the TSA.

see my post from 2008 on the topic

http://www.zity.biz/index.php?mx=forum;ox=display;msg=121916

That's the scary part. Seems like there's no way around it unless you just happen to get lucky. Seems better to buy local & leave them behind to avoid risking TSA going through your stuff either of 2 times (round trip)

Ship your stuff to yourself at your destination.

As far as I know, handcuffs are considered weapons and thus prohibited in hand luggage. I would simply advise putting them in checked luggage.

Answers to travel questions regarding carry on and checked luggage for the United States of America will be found at the TSA website www.tsa.gov

You must pack handcuffs in checked baggage. There will be no problem with that. Try to bring it with you on the plane and you're looking for big trouble, detention and search among other possibilities. They will not let you carry that on the plane.

CORRECT!

Do not be surprised if your luggage is searched without you being informed.

Ship your stuff to yourself at your destination.

If in doubt, don't pack it and just ship it or buy what you need at your destination.

They open your checked bags frequently without telling you sometimes.

Absolutely correct.

All very sound advice. If traveling internationally, review information on customs and the countries you are traveling in. The airline you are traveling with will have information to assist you to the appropriate information on carry on and checked baggage rules as well as customs information.

In regards to being patted down, being tagged as a "selectee", that is a whole other discussion. Just pack appropriately or just ship anything of question to allow your passing through airport security as smoothly as possible.

If traveling internationally, I would indeed advise reviewing the laws and customs of the countries you are visiting. Not all countries are tolerant of sex activities outside of vaginal sex between married man and wife. And even if something is not technically illegal, it may raise eyebrows.

This is a topic I am all to familiar with unfortunately. I was on the "no fly" list for 3 years all because of what I was carrying in my checked bag. When I was questioned about it I made a joke and apparently the TSA folks didn't appreciate it, lol.

I was seated on the plane when 2 of the TSA blue boys came and got me out of my seat. They took me off the plane and onto the walk way thing you know the ramp thing just outside of the plane. They asked me why I was carrying so much medical supplies in my bag. And I have to admit, I was loaded down pretty good. I was on my way up to Michigan to play with a few friends of mine and I promised to bring them the good real medical supplies, lol.

Well not wanting to tell them the truth, I told them that I am a real nurse and a nurse educator so I travel teaching others about the newest medical products and how to use them. Don't even ask me where I came up with that line of BS but they believed it. Well I couldn't just let it go so in a laughing tone I said to the blue boys," what do you think I'm going to do with a suitcase full of catheters? Threaten the pilot with something like, "take me where I want to go or I will cath you!" And I said that as I was acting like I was holding up a catheter and shaking it. Yeah well they didn't laugh at my joke.

At that time I was flying out about every 4-6 weeks up to see Doc and what not so I for the next 3 years was subject to anything and everything from the blue boys. And no, that didn't include a cavity search either, lol. Oh the stories I could tell you about those 3 years.

So take my advice, the TSA boys do NOT have a sense of humor. Do not try to joke with them. Once my husband and I were traveling up to Michigan for something with his work and even though I was off of that list I was still the one that was randomly picked to be searched. So they took me through to the back tables which are only about 20 feet from the lines and the belts and the scanners and the guy tells me he is going to check the contents of my carry on. Now in my honest opinion even though I am off of the "list" I actually still think they are tracking me because I get searched a lot still. Anyway, you know my husband and I do not bump uglies ever so I had my vibe with me. Both of us only had carry-on's because we were only going up for an extended weekend so we didn't need a whole lot. Anyway so we get back to the table and he says he is going to take out all of the contents and search it. Well, I am sure my face turned a bit red. I asked him if he had to take everything out, right there in front of everyone? He then got a bit defensive and asked me what I was hiding. I told him nothing but I did have some private things in there that I didn't really want everyone to see. He then called another TSA person over that happened to be a chick. I whispered to her what was in there and where it was. She just smiled and nodded. She was the one that was going through stuff and he was standing there watching. When it came time to check the place I told her my goodie was located, she actually put once hand on the outside of my bag and one on the inside of my bag and felt for my little friend through the fabric of the bag. She felt what she needed to feel, smiled at me and said we were free to go. I thanked her with one of those, "oh my god you are so nice" types of thank you's. She smiled, sort of winked, and told us to have a safe flight.

She didn't have to do that. He also didn't have to call someone over either. It is within his rights to completely dump my bag anyplace he wants to no matter who's standing around. You know I'm not really shy about that sort of stuff. My thoughts are that most of us have toys that we play with. It's not like it was some sort of freaky deaky toy or something, it was just a normal bullet type single head, 8 different speed, blue vibrator with a nubby sheath. No big deal really, but even still, for some reason I just didn't feel like sharing my toys that day.

So please take my advice, don't play with the TSA, see that even rimes. You can pretty much take whatever as long as it's in your checked bags.

Mashie

Mashie, can't they just take you to some private room if you request so?

Andie's advice is 200% correct! If I am flying to a play date, I ALWAYS get a reservation at the local hotel WELL in advance, then Fedex my stuff with a note giving the conseirge the date I expect to arrive. It has always been waiting for me! Hint: always be prepared to Fedex it home afterward. You just don'twant to fly with anything out of the ordinary: TSA agents have vivid imaginations, aimed at figuring out why the stuff makes you a potential terrorist! And, should they decide to detain you, you're probably going to be out hefty legal fees to prove your innocence! (With the "Patriot Act" you are presumed guilty until proven innocent!)

I've travelled to/from the US with a single enema bag in my checked luggage with no problem. I suspect Mashie got questioned because of the amount of devices.

Some of these agents are weird. I had a camera tripod and she asked me what it was. I mean, Japanese tourists probably carry thousands of these across airports...

Pecan, when it comes to the TSA as someone said, you are basically guilty until proven innocent. You can ask to go to a private room but it probably won't happen. Once my daughter and I were taken to a private room because they wanted to do a bit more than pat us down over our clothes. There was still no strip search but there was some exposure due to the under wires in our bras.

Yes, the reason I was questioned was probably because of the amount of things I had. My carry on was full of my clothes and my checked bag was full of medical supplies, catheters, IV bags, a few hundred syringes, tube feeding syringes, and other various goodies. But my suitcase was packed to the brim. I am sure that my bag was x-rayed and what probably concerned them first was the needles, then probably the IV solution because at the time you really were not supposed to be carrying more than 3 ounces of anything, even in your checked bag, but don't quote me on that. I think I had maybe 10 IV bags ranging from 250cc's to a 1000's. So my bag was loaded down and very heavy. The weight might have been the original reason they checked it in the first place. I never thought about that. I bet that was it.

Mashie

I thanked her with one of those, "oh my god you are so nice" types of thank you's. She smiled, sort of winked, and told us to have a safe flight.

Isn't that really up to the pilot? 😁

I appreciate all the info & stories you folks are sharing. I hardly ever fly or travel anywhere, so it's all highly informative. You can probably say i'm naive to think that if the TSA wanted to open & inspect your bags, they would do it at the beginning with you there, & that if you had a lock on your bag, it was to & should keep them out. To think they'd be putting their grubby hands all over my clothes & stuff really freaks me out now.

I thought stuff they stole was from unlocked baggage or baggage they broke into. I guess i never read the fine print somewhere. That really sucks that apparently they have the right to unlock your baggage & go through your stuff without you there.

Seems the only thing that would make flying worthwhile would be a nice pat down from a non beast lady. I think it's bullshit if you're subjected to an airport pat down, it has to be same sex. If you go to a concert or sporting event, you could get an opposite gender pat down if you wanted, as long as one is working security at the gate.

So discouraged

Healthy44, there is a good reason the TSA agents do the same sex thing when they pat you down, obviously it's to prevent people from claiming they have been assaulted, as much or as frequently. Yes yes I know that it can happen between the same sex as well, but the government thinks it will happen much less if it's the same sex doing the groping. Also, the TSA and Homeland Security are already getting a tough rap, they don't need that on them as well. They are government employees.

Now, when you go to a concert it's a huge different situation. First of all look at the people that frequent concerts. No, I am not generalizing, yes I realize that 70 year olds line up to see AC/DC just as much as the teenie boppers do, however think of the mind set of someone who's going to a concert and someone who is ready to get on a plane. Again I will be generalizing, but half the time when you wake up the next morning you don't remember what happened at the concert anyway. And hey, if you got felt up, saw a great show, got drunk, had a contact buzz the entire show and still made it home safe and in one piece, then hell, I think most people would think they had a steller evening.

When my daughter and I were taken into the back rooms of the airport and had to do the shirt/bra thing there were 5 TSA people there. At the time they were still wearing the white shirts actually. There were 3 in white shirts and 2 in more formal clothes. In all there were 3 women, and 2 men. I know a lot of people really hate the TSA, what they stand for and how they do their jobs. Their jobs drastically changed after 9/11. I think this country was in such a rush to try and prevent that situation from ever happening again not all of their new ways of doing things were really that well thought out. They were of the mind set that it's better to do something than nothing. And well I happen to agree. I figured it would take some years to work out all the kinks.

You know, it's been all these years, but for me when 9/11 comes it never gets any easier. I still cry all these years later and I am not all that sensitive about things, but my country was attacked, not once but 3 times in a matter of 2 hours. I cannot and will not ever forgive that. And I absolutely will never forget. I am a huge patriot and the love I have for my country is very obvious to people who know me or read my posts. While I don't always agree with the TSA, or with our government and it's changes since 9/11 I support the fact that they are trying to keep us just a little bit safer. As we say in the medical field a lot, "just do something" that is better than doing nothing and at least you can hold your head up with pride and say you tried.

Mashie

Mashie,

Actually it is 3.4 ounces of carry on for any liquid, cream or gel products. Then again, who wants to worry about the .4% in a container that is not marked? Many people stick to a 3 ounce container just to be safe. You could then and still can carry as many of those containers in carry on luggage, per they all are sealed in a standard quart ziplock type bag. In addition to this, if you have a container that holds more than this amount and you have 3.4 ounces or less in that container, they can force you to remove that liquid and put it in a container of 3.4ounces or put it in checked luggage or throw it in the trash. There are exceptions to this rule, as per medical equipment and those regulations/rules are stated on www.tsa.gov.

I have read your accounts of what happened regarding your nightmare. You have my condolences. Yes, unfortunately, you are probably still what is termed a "selectee" and will be for a long time. One way around it is to purchase one of the passes where you can bypass the majority of those measures, though they can still pull you aside if they deem as the pass is NO guarantee. Those applying for this go through a lengthy background check and then pay a good size chunk of $$$ for this pass. It is called TSA Pre and only applies to airports who participate in this program. If security levels are high, this option can be unavailable at airport participating airports.

Mashie and Nmas4u are correct. Do NOT joke with the TSA or any sort of airline or airport employee when it comes to your luggage and the contents or it. Yes, you are guilty till proven innocent, on your burden of proof and $$$. Some of them are the most humble, understanding, humorous generous people. Best not to risk sending up their red flags. If you have something of concern in your checked baggage the TSA, airlines, or airport questions, it can be removed from your luggage, and they can question you and pull you off the plane at any time. This applies also to carry on luggage even if you have cleared security and you are comfortably seat belted and settled into your seat. This can also happen at your arrival destination.

Andie's advice is 200% correct! TSA agents have vivid imaginations, aimed at figuring out why the stuff makes you a potential terrorist! And, should they decide to detain you, you're probably going to be out hefty legal fees to prove your innocence! (With the "Patriot Act" you are presumed guilty until proven innocent!)

Nmas4u,

Thank you.

Andie

Again you are right Andie. I have to also say that when I got back on that plane after the TSA boys had pulled me off the looks I got from pretty much every single person was wow, lets just say if looks could kill I would have been dead, lol.

Mashie

Another issue is customs checks. These folks wish to find illegal drugs. The conventional wisdom is that if you dress like one of the profiles of "druggies", like wearing dreadlocks and a reggae T-shirt, then you'll get your belongings searched very frequently. There also seems to be some racial profiling going on, but of course nobody will admit that.

I'm white and generally in casual business or business attire and thus hardly ever get checked or interrogated.

Again you are right Andie. I have to also say that when I got back on that plane after the TSA boys had pulled me off the looks I got from pretty much every single person was wow, lets just say if looks could kill I would have been dead, lol.

Mashie

Thank you.

Additional info on liquids regarding medical items etc can be found at the additional link: http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?src=tsa. Type in liquids in the search box.

Andie

Mashie, there are claims for sexual assault by same sex friskers. By choosing the gender if the frisker, it could reduce the risk of a claim because the flyer made an active choice. You could at least be free to choose same sex or opposite sex & live with the experience.

I'm not sure if you could ask or not, and I'm not sure if they would honor that request either. All I know is that I was honestly a little bit too nervous to think anything like that. I just wanted to get back on my plane and get to wherever I was headed to, lol.

Mashie

I fly to Colombia quit a bit. never got checked but one time in Bogota. they had me take everything out of my bags. second time they checked they cut the locks off my bag and left a card in my bag saying that they checked my bag. no big deal if your on the up and up..