When I travel from state to state in the USA and get on a plane am I able to bring my 6 handhelds? Or will they be confiscated?
I recently flew coast to coast with a mag mount, 1/4 vhf antenna, and handheld in my carry on. The only thing they were concerned about was my travel size contact lens solution.
OK great to know thank you very much this was very helpful I tried doing research but some sites said yes some said no
Once they had an issue with a morse code paddle (not the one in my avatar). It was a big hunk of metal that they didn't recognize, and it blocked the X-rays. But I told the officer it was a morse code paddle, and he was pleasant, and said his supervisor was a ham who had gotten some of the other officers interested. So in my case, they had to open the suitcase and swab the item, but they were fine with it once they figured out it was radio gear. Ham radio gear is one of the things that's on the TSA's list of approved items.
I had an IC-7000, HT, coax, balun, android & 2 laptops in my carryon. They had me put each laptop in trays & everything else stayed in. I think the TSA is a complete waste of our money. Ed
Earlier this week I flew with 4 HTs and two computers in my carry-on bag. The X-ray operator scanned the bag, looked over at me, and gave me his callsign. (4 HTs = two analog HTs because my father gets a kick listening to the AAR frequencies when trainspotting, and two DMR HTs because doing new code plugs was next on my project list; 2 computers = 1 work, 1 personal)
Absolutely true.................I have NEVER made it thru a TSA checkpoint without a paddle raising big time suspicion. I had the following happen at the Minneapolis airport a few years ago while I was on my way to the Caribbean: TSA Goofball: "Please open your bag for me sir". Me: "OK, it's probably my Morse code paddle". "I never make it thru a checkpoint without it causing interest". (I take the paddle out of the bubble wrap & show it to him) TSA Goofball: (while simulating tapping on a CW key) "Hello cavalry, hello cavalry, the Indians are attacking the white man". Your tax dollars hard at work. Tom KH8/KC0W
One problem: I had removed the antenna from my HT and put it in a PVC tube for protection. The TSA seemed to think it was a pipe bomb and called in an expert, closing down the security line. After a long wait the expert arrived, I opened the tube and showed her the rubber duck. She bent it sharply to see if it could be a weapon. It still has a dog-leg.
There are no circumstances I would take anything of value. I am convinced TSA is a complete fraud. I would like to see who TSA apprehended, or stopped, per dollar for the entire TSA budget. I think the money for the entire TSA could be better spent elsewhere. My dad, a highly honored police officer, said any criminal that was wanted was caught. Instead, law enforcement insures their jobs and pay, and benefits, by keeping actual violent offenders and key drug production and distribution and many other criminals untouched. They walk thru. I had that, believed I was at-one with that. I did not wait in line. I walked thru a gate turned off. There was a nod made to the personnel at the luggage xray machine. I had nothing, but I saw that done.
Yep! I am glad I don't fly anymore. I know people that do. They have told me a few stories about the TSA. People have to fly for various reasons. The TSA is not going away. I am glad I don't have to worry about flying and the hassles involved. I feel for those who do. 73 Bo Curmudgeon & old crow
