Over the last two months I have been out traveling for work. I'm almost done and have just about circled the globe (i.e., many airports). Since I wear a back plate and wing (BP/W), I can stuff 98% of my gear (w/3mm wet suit) into a carry-on (
:07: ). Not surprisingly, I have had the security screeners catch my carry-on without fail for thorough searches. The stainless steel back plate mostly triggers this.
Before leaving home, I put the blacklisted items (i.e., knife, shears, etc) into a duffel bag that I send as checked baggage. I thought I was clean until I eventually got to Dubai. It was there that security screeners had heartburn over my stainless steel spools. Yes, spools. :06: They also didn't like my tank checker pressure gauge. They said "it could be used as a weapon." Hell, *anything* could be used as a weapon when it comes down to it. But, there's no reasoning with screeners most of the time. I eventually was able to talk them out of making me go through the hassle of sending it separately.
I still get checked but nothing gets flagged as something that can't pass through.
So, in a duffel bag, I send the "terrorist gear". lol :05:
-stainless steel spools
-tank checker pressure gauge
-knife
-lighter (for emergency/survival cannister)
-sheers
-tools (wrenches, screwdriver, screwdriver bits, etc. They don't like these either.)
-lead weight (I was going to be traveling for a long time and wanted my own weight. Lead weight will trigger a thorough search as well because it's so dense. Put it in the checked bag unless you are close to being overweight. I have never known anyone get weight checked for their carry-on bag.)
Things that I personally have had go through the screeners routinely without getting refused passage:
-stainless steel back plate
-clips, rings
-LED and Xenon lights (I don't have an HID.....yet)
-Glo-toobs
-strobe
-weight belt (..pouch style for soft weight. If that's not a noose, I don't know what is.
)
TIP
When traveling by air, always ask for the "sports allowance" for your checked baggage. This will yield another 22lbs (10kg) of weight without penalty. That will really help if they are about to charge you for being over your weight allowance. Outside the U.S., most of the airlines allow only 30kg total weight for each traveler regardless of the number of bags you have. That's tuff when traveling with scuba gear. So, don't forget to ask for the "sports allowance". I don't know if all airlines have it but the ones I have flown recently do.
Good luck,
Richard
