Airport Security, Reels As A Carry-On

[outdoorsman110]

Will TSA make me strip off the line on my reels? I'm headed to Alaska and bringing over $400 in reels and I don't want some baggage checker to steal my reels so I have decided to bring them on board as a carry-on. Only thing is, will they confiscate the line on my spool? I've heard rumors of people having to strip off line at security. It's fairly expensive line too, braid to be exact. Anybody know of this? Or have answers? I think I'm gonna be safe and put all the line on the reels and put them on line spools, and throw the line spools in checked baggage. Thanks to anybody that replies, I'm leaving Friday.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

Never heard of them doing that before. However you might be safe to unspool them. You never know what TSA will do. the more I think about it the more I think you should unspool them.

I'm personally curious if they will let me have a brick in my carry on bag. You never know when you might need a good ol brick.

[.ghoti.]

I've never had a problem. They've just opened the reel case, seen what what was in it, and handed it back to me. The line was no threat in their eyes.

[CFFF 1.5]

Instead of removing all the line from your reels it would be quicker and easier to remove the spools from the reels instead of having to respool when you get to alaska.

[Michael DiNardo]

I have never had any problem traveling with reels. I've been to AK three times, and outside of some rough rod handling (my buddies rods), no issues.

Mike

[llPa1nll]

In February I went from Boston to Savannah through Atlanta. I brought my unspooled reels down spooled the line when I arrived and then brought the spooled reels back with me. I didn't run into too much of a problem, other than the fact I had to open up my carry on to let them have a look at the reels in Boston and in Atlanta. I hope this is helpful.

[SouthrnMisnomer]

what are some good luggage/case options for rods and reels?

[NoBassPro]

I have never had any problem traveling with reels. I've been to AK three times, and outside of some rough rod handling (my buddies rods), no issues.

Mike

Same here, had no issues with reels. I did put a lock on a checked suitcase full of lures and found the lock broke and all the lures and contents rummaged through and messed up. Seems like they shouldn't have a hard time finding a less invasive, more accurate method of bomb detection, but whatever.

[Traveler2586]

I'm personally curious if they will let me have a brick in my carry on bag. You never know when you might need a good ol brick.

I was a professional Federal traveler for eight years (98--06) with a Diplomatic passport traveling both Conus and international. Because I carried some specialty tools in my check-in TSA would frequently rummage through my bags. I would leave them little notes on company letterhead, some with jokes, on top of my things so they would see the note first. I will tell you, as others will also, most TSA people in North America don't have a since of hummer because they never know when they're being tested (spot check). Several times my presence was requested at the baggage x-ray to explain what my tools were for. BTW, a US Dip passport doesn't buy you squat in the US with the TSA.

So RNF, I don't think a brick will fly - - with you I think they would classify it a a potential projectile, or weapon.

[NoBassPro]

I was a professional Federal traveler for eight years (98--06) with a Diplomatic passport traveling both Conus and international. Because I carried some specialty tools in my check-in TSA would frequently rummage through my bags. I would leave them little notes on company letterhead, some with jokes, on top of my things so they would see the note first. I will tell you, as others will also, most TSA people in North America don't have a since of hummer because they never know when they're being tested (spot check). Several times my presence was requested at the baggage x-ray to explain what my tools were for. BTW, a US Dip passport doesn't buy you squat in the US with the TSA.

So RNF, I don't think a brick will fly - - with you I think they would classify it a a potential projectile, or weapon.

Never mess with an $8/hr government employee on a power trip. It will not end well.

[Traveler2586]

Never mess with an $8/hr government employee on a power trip. It will not end well.

Especially when they're armed

Most TSA people I met in my travels were good people, one told me "they're hammered to follow their training"

On several trips I had a large smiley face in one of my bags on top of my cloths; when I got to my destination on one of the trips I found a Post-it on the smiley that said "Thanks we needed that"

[Bassn Blvd]

Especially when they're armed

Most TSA people I met in my travels were good people, one told me "they're hammered to follow their training"

On several trips I had a large smiley face in one of my bags on top of my cloths; when I got to my destination on one of the trips I found a Post-it on the smiley that said "Thanks we needed that"

You should have left one that read "1, 2, 3 BOOM!"

OR

WARNING: Contents infected with Herpes.

[Traveler2586]

You should have left one that read "1, 2, 3 BOOM!"

OR

WARNING: Contents infected with Herpes.

No, I think that would have surely won me a trip into "the back room"

[Michael DiNardo]

I travel and am very impatient with people who joke with the TSA. This is their job. I would not like people joking with my work either. Their are many opportunities to make jokes in life, going through airport security is not one of those times.

Mike

[MALTESE FALCON]

I've traveled a few times with my spooled reels in my carry-on, and I've never had a problem.

Falcon

[Traveler2586]

Same here, had no issues with reels. I did put a lock on a checked suitcase full of lures and found the lock broke and all the lures and contents rummaged through and messed up. Seems like they shouldn't have a hard time finding a less invasive, more accurate method of bomb detection, but whatever.

Look for TSA approved locks on-line, you can get them with keys or combo; they have an extra key slot that TSA uses to unlock the lock without damage.

Or, you can use small Ty-wraps, which TSA will cut; put a zip-lock bag with extra Ty-wraps on top of your thing inside the bag so TSA will see it first and include a note asking them to re-secure your bag after inspection. This method even worked in the western European and Asian Pacific rim countries.

If you use a heavy duty lock that's difficult to open you may be invited back to the X-ray point to open your bag for them. I frequently traveled with an equipment case that had two small hardened key locks to protect expensive test equipment.

So, tip of the day, If you have electronic devices in your bags remove the batteries if possible, it will save you some hassles.