Mailing home things TSA won't allow

[WESBC]

I'm going to be flying to San Francisco on Friday and was worried about some of my flashlights (E2D).

I would hate for TSA to confiscate it, so what is the proper way to send it home? Do I just step out of line when they tell me I can't bring it on?

[El Verbo]

I'm flying out to Las Vegas next week and I will bring a collapsed flat-rate box from the USPS. I won't bring any perceived threatening EDC on board; I'm rolling the dice and hoping it will get passed the baggage inspection. If they deem something not in compliance, I will just excuse myself, unfold the box, and mail it home. >:(

[zshiner]

Hi,

You should be fine carrying your E2D ... I have carried a Fenix P3D on several trips.

but to answer your question ... if it were to happen - just tell them you want to mail it home - they will escort you out of the area toss it in your preaddressed stamped envelope, mail it, and you can get back in line. Just give your self enough time.

KM

[El Verbo]

zshiner, thanks! that is VERY encouraging news. O0

[greenLED]

There's plenty of reports on CPF of people flying with their e2d's without any problems.

[WESBC]

Thanks

[sammyz]

I actually got bumped up to First class on a flight once and wound up sitting next to the guys who run the "Surefire Institute" and I'm pretty sure they had just about every product Surefire makes carried onto that plane (flashlight wise).

[DragonRider]

I keep a 5X8 bubble mailer and 2, 5 dollar stamps in my wallet, pre-addressed to my house. Plan is to wrap whatever it is in the bandana and send it off.

John

[El Verbo]

[b]Flew out to Las Vegas and I had stripped my usual EDC to an Airline Friendly Gear. Gerber Supension, SOG Trident, PSK, and FAK were stuffed into checked luggage. In my messenger bag, I had my SF E1B, light medication, Brad Thor and Vince Flynn novels, Payday Bar, and simple FAK. In my REI Travel Document Organizer (http://www.rei.com/product/747921), I had my soft Moleskin, Passport, and Timberline Tactical Pen. I had no secondary screenings by the TSA screeners nor any questions about what I brought in. I was really worried about the Timberline Pen.

I did go in with somewhat of an air of confidence. Before I took off, I went to the local Post Office and bought a pre-paid flat rate envelope and that was ready to pack and send if the TSA had any problems. I approached it this way, if the had a question about it or over scrutinized it, just send it home! When I bought the flat-rate envelope, the Post Office was especially friendly about it. I told them my situation, I even told them that I am traveling with tools and items that the TSA may disagree with. They recommended the envelope and advised me to self address it and have it handy so it won't keep me from missing my flight or hold up any of the screening lines and look like the one jack@$$ that does.

When we checked in and got ready to start our vacation, EDC Messenger Bag and On-My Person EDC were sorted properly.
THEME: Think ahead and have a backup plan! :)

[DiabloSc(+)pe]

you can pretty much bring anything back home , in your checked luggage ........ anything !! if you look on the TSA website

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#1

EXAMPLE : WHat you can bring in Checked Luggage :Nunchakus , Throwing stars ,Machetes, Axes/ Hatchets , Bows/Arrows , Paintball guns w/out air connected ETC .............

Seems you cant take in checked........ Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items that can cause fires

[DiabloSc(+)pe]

:shrug:

[ScottAW]

Flying with any standard light doesn't even raise an eyebrow, just avoid any kind of strike bezel and you'll be fine.

[Seiko]

As many have said your good to go as long as you don't have like a GG&G pointy strike add on thing.

But I take my e2e or e1e all the time with the GG&G thing on, just put it in my carry on till past the TSA. Never had a problem or bag search in the past 3 years flying 1-2 times a month.

I have however forgot to take a leatherman out of my carry on once! Most airports have a spot just prior to the checkpoint that you can mail it home at.

Good advise on planning ahead and tossing a flat rate priority box in your bag and keeping a $5 stamp in your wallet. Something I'm going to do before my next flight in case I do a bone head thing again.

Bill

[ballistic]

Among other EDC items I usually carry through security are my Atwood Flat Titanium Gasbaby on my person, and an Arc AAA Premium and E1B in my carry-on. I've never had a problem. Any of my other EDC goodies go in any checked baggage, and I now carry a bubble mailer with me just in case.

Somewhat OT: This article doesn't give one a warm and fuzzy about the TSA and the current state of airport security The Things He Carried (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200811/airport-security)

[saniterra]

Recently I flew from Raleigh Durham to Denver and back. I had taken two pistols, camping gear and a few knives. Going out, I did everything right in terms of packing my checked and carry on bag. However, on the return flight, I forgot my Scrap Yard Knives Yard Hook - a very large, perhaps even scary looking knife - under the hidden flap in my Saddlebag Leather briefcase. Needless to say, it showed up in the x-ray and I was suddenly in a world of hurt being questioned by TSA security and the Denver police. I finally convinced them it was an oversight and they let me go to the airport post office and mail it home. I was warned that I would be contacted by TSA at some point in the future and possibly even fined. I'm still waiting for them to contact me and waiting with some trepidation. I was treated very well by TSA and the Denver police, who indicated that the only reason they were not citing me right then was that they didn't want to cause me to have to fly back to Denver for a court hearing. I guess what I learned from that experience is to take you time, pack very carefully, and don't take chances with what you carry on. A lot of people make fun of or ***** at TSA, but that is a very serious group of folks.

[kirbysdl]

I keep a 5X8 bubble mailer and 2, 5 dollar stamps in my wallet, pre-addressed to my house.  Plan is to wrap whatever it is in the bandana and send it off.

John


In my carry-on I have a smallish bubble mailer and a flat rate USPS Priority Mail envelope folded in half.  For delicate stuff or light, small stuff, I'll just use $1 stamps on the bubble mailer.  $3 first class will mail about 12-13 oz depending on if you're classed as a large envelope or small package.  If there's a whole lot of stuff, it goes in the flat rate envelope, and the flat rate stamp ($4.80) goes on it.  So that's a total of two envelopes and $8 of postage, but keeping it modular means I don't have to waste postage.