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---Posted by Q (apparently one too many times ;)
I have a little bit of insight on this as I trained TSA employees on how to use thir equipment, what they're using the equipment for and weapons detction. While I was training them, I slipped my own tools through the machines. I could write, and have, for days on the subject.
if I understand your question, you want to take practice poi in your cary on. You're all good with sock poi, beanies, zunies and the like. Seperate your poi heads from the chains so the components are innocuous. Easy squeazy.
Packing your fire poi are another matter. Just pack the damn things and don't mention it. I personally, seperate my chains from the heads, burn off the heads completely and pack them in a tupperware like container with my business card taped to it. For grins I usually also pack my scrap book and my TSA trainer badge.
The TSA are looking for the components of IEDs, chains, and poi heads don't look or smell anything like the components of IEDs. Other things to know are that the airport and the airline have different regulations in each location, that are different than the TSA.
I wrote the follwing 3 yeras ago, nothing has changed:
12/23/02
I may sound a little rigid, or like a part of the propaganda machine while I write this, but I assure you, I'm writing with a few helpful travel tips. I've been working to train Transportation Security Administration baggage screeners - slipping my fire tools through the machines so that I could report back ;-) Infiltrate from the inside!
As we all know traveling in and out of North America has changed considerably in the last year. The TSA has been created to be the front line of defense placed at points of embarkation in the US to ensure travel safety. On 12/31/02 new baggage screening regulations of 100% checked baggage will be put into action. Regardless of what's worked in the past, it's changing in the next few days.
Packing Tips as I see it:
Put your tools in checked baggage: Personnel Screeners (carry on) use different technology to screen bags, I'm pretty confident your tools will register as suspicious, consequent physical search, and possible confiscation due to misunderstanding the tools intended use, or implied multi use. Virgin poi have been confiscated due to a perceived multi use as a weapon. Keeping in mind "bad guys" aren't going to tell the truth about some things true use, an unrecognized item, is just that, unknown and potentially dangerous.
Make an extra effort to burn off any residual fuel, Its still against FAA rules to travel with burnt stuff, with an unofficial exception of props used by a professional entertainer (we're never amateur right?). This is just good common sense, I'm not saying anything here you don't already know.
Pack your tools in containers the screeners can physically see through. They will ask questions if they can't identify an item, be prepared, be patient. Consider labeling tool packages with your business card, and to get really spiffy, a picture of the tool in use - most people (as you know) don't understand what we do, explaining it isn't going to help, but a picture will be exceptionally helpful - nekkid pictures won't help your case, these are highly trained, experienced screeners.
Please pack fingers in a container other than the ever so handy PVC pipe cut to fit, with end caps - this looks questionable in and out of the scanner, it will be searched, you may be dealing with law enforcement, and consequently slow your screening process considerably.
Other things to note as the TSA sees it:
You may have seen some of these in the news already - don't pack food in your checked baggage; don't lock your bags; Don't travel with wrapped packages (presents); Allow for extra time, check in early - treat intercontinental travel as if you were traveling overseas; and again, be patient.
Presently our alternative is to ship tools separately, or travel another way. Soon, rail, maritime and roadway travel (like green tortoise and greyhound) will be regulated by the TSA as well as shipping venues.
I understand the want to express opinions regarding the 100% checked baggage screening - I'm really not writing this for the sake of debate, for those of you feeling icky about this transition, I have this one motivational thing to say - 9/11 sucked ass - we're just trying to prevent something like it from happening again.æ
We carry delicate tools that can get damaged or destroyed in travel - put some thought into how you're packing your gear, I assure you the few extra dollars, and consideration with ease your travel experience overall.
And of course - if you're traveling to work as a fire performer, Good on ya man - have fun! xoxo
Q
I have a little bit of insight on this as I trained TSA employees on how to use thir equipment, what they're using the equipment for and weapons detction. While I was training them, I slipped my own tools through the machines. I could write, and have, for days on the subject.
if I understand your question, you want to take practice poi in your cary on. You're all good with sock poi, beanies, zunies and the like. Seperate your poi heads from the chains so the components are innocuous. Easy squeazy.
Packing your fire poi are another matter. Just pack the damn things and don't mention it. I personally, seperate my chains from the heads, burn off the heads completely and pack them in a tupperware like container with my business card taped to it. For grins I usually also pack my scrap book and my TSA trainer badge.
The TSA are looking for the components of IEDs, chains, and poi heads don't look or smell anything like the components of IEDs. Other things to know are that the airport and the airline have different regulations in each location, that are different than the TSA.
I wrote the follwing 3 yeras ago, nothing has changed:
12/23/02
I may sound a little rigid, or like a part of the propaganda machine while I write this, but I assure you, I'm writing with a few helpful travel tips. I've been working to train Transportation Security Administration baggage screeners - slipping my fire tools through the machines so that I could report back ;-) Infiltrate from the inside!
As we all know traveling in and out of North America has changed considerably in the last year. The TSA has been created to be the front line of defense placed at points of embarkation in the US to ensure travel safety. On 12/31/02 new baggage screening regulations of 100% checked baggage will be put into action. Regardless of what's worked in the past, it's changing in the next few days.
Packing Tips as I see it:
Put your tools in checked baggage: Personnel Screeners (carry on) use different technology to screen bags, I'm pretty confident your tools will register as suspicious, consequent physical search, and possible confiscation due to misunderstanding the tools intended use, or implied multi use. Virgin poi have been confiscated due to a perceived multi use as a weapon. Keeping in mind "bad guys" aren't going to tell the truth about some things true use, an unrecognized item, is just that, unknown and potentially dangerous.
Make an extra effort to burn off any residual fuel, Its still against FAA rules to travel with burnt stuff, with an unofficial exception of props used by a professional entertainer (we're never amateur right?). This is just good common sense, I'm not saying anything here you don't already know.
Pack your tools in containers the screeners can physically see through. They will ask questions if they can't identify an item, be prepared, be patient. Consider labeling tool packages with your business card, and to get really spiffy, a picture of the tool in use - most people (as you know) don't understand what we do, explaining it isn't going to help, but a picture will be exceptionally helpful - nekkid pictures won't help your case, these are highly trained, experienced screeners.
Please pack fingers in a container other than the ever so handy PVC pipe cut to fit, with end caps - this looks questionable in and out of the scanner, it will be searched, you may be dealing with law enforcement, and consequently slow your screening process considerably.
Other things to note as the TSA sees it:
You may have seen some of these in the news already - don't pack food in your checked baggage; don't lock your bags; Don't travel with wrapped packages (presents); Allow for extra time, check in early - treat intercontinental travel as if you were traveling overseas; and again, be patient.
Presently our alternative is to ship tools separately, or travel another way. Soon, rail, maritime and roadway travel (like green tortoise and greyhound) will be regulated by the TSA as well as shipping venues.
I understand the want to express opinions regarding the 100% checked baggage screening - I'm really not writing this for the sake of debate, for those of you feeling icky about this transition, I have this one motivational thing to say - 9/11 sucked ass - we're just trying to prevent something like it from happening again.æ
We carry delicate tools that can get damaged or destroyed in travel - put some thought into how you're packing your gear, I assure you the few extra dollars, and consideration with ease your travel experience overall.
And of course - if you're traveling to work as a fire performer, Good on ya man - have fun! xoxo
Q
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Re: Travelling with tools
Fri, November 24, 2006 - 5:29 PMOn a personal note, I run a fire tool business and occasionally have to ship used tools in and out. I've found that it's UPS policy to ship pretty much anything, even stinky with kero smell, insured and on time. they won't insure liquid shipment, but they'll even send lamp oil and flame retardants with no extra fee. For about $10, you get your tools delivered with no airline stress in a week or less.
