flying with your detector

[Bronze]

I'm heading out for vacation in a couple of days and am bringing my detector with me. I have a garret at pro that came with the soft case. I really don't want to check it but am not sure it will fit in an over head bin.

For anyone that has taken their detector on a plane, is it better to check it or can you bring it on the plane with you?

 

[worldtalker]

I carry the electronics and coil in a backpack,the rods go in my suitcase.A week from today the Wife and I will be spending 3 weeks in the DR.Hope we both have some goods to post! GodBless Chris

 

[cudamark]

The last time I tried, they wouldn't let it go as carry on....I had to check it. I use a suitcase with some clothing as padding to protect the control housing.

 

[spotmom]

I have taken mine (from Alaska) to Hawaii, Arizona, Washington and Montana and Illinois on all kinds of big and small planes. I put the control box and coils in a well padded cooler type lunchbox that just fits them and into my carry on, then the rods go in baggage. Since they won't insure or be responsible for electronics and you can't secure your bags I don't see how they can keep you from carrying them on.

I figure if they lose or destroy the rods in baggage I can always find a good stick and keep going, plus they would be covered under lost and damaged baggage. I have had the coils swabbed for explosives, but never a second glance as far as taking them on board. I keep batteries in the control box so I can demonstrate that it is indeed a metal detector in case the need ever arises. I think it is the rods that will trip you up if anything, even though they are no different from a walking cane they look more like they could be some kind of weapon.

I use the well padded lunchbox and wrap the control box in bubble plastic, too, juuusssttt in case I ever have to do an emergency stuffing into my baggage. I also have my name and number engraved outside AND somewhere inside of all my equipment. One for the honest person who might return it, and one for the dishonest person who might leave a big scrape mark on the outside where my name used to be. Also, photograph everything (with serial numbers, too!) and keep stuff like that on a flash drive in your pocket and at home (or on dropbox for access from anywhere) in case a claim or ID ever has to be made. You can password protect the thumb drive files for more security.

Oh, and you probably don't want to try to bring a pinpointer as carry on. They just look too suspicious, especially the more "gun shaped" and poorly labeled "White's Bullseye"! TSA guys are sometimes a little twitchy.

 

[damiani1]

Just travelled to Europe with my silver umax and had no real problems except for at the security in Frankfurt Germany. They seen the coil was hollow and thought that you could possibly hide things so they swabbed it and stuff. I am not sure of the size of the garrett at pro but I would not stick the coil or top part in your luggage. My dad once brought a bunch of tools which cost an easy $1500 because one was an expensive meter and the airline only gave him a few hundred.

Also another thing is you can't travel with batteries. I kept my stash of 6, 9 volts in my checked luggage.

And just one more thing of advice, I would bring a small shovel (2 feet) over a handheld digger. I was going to bring a digger to cut down on the weight, but thank God I didn't, the soil conditions in Northern Italy and Austria would have been awful for a handheld digger.

 

[Bronze]

The at pro uses 8 AA's. Tons of eletronics use those so I would think I might be ok.

 

[damiani1]

"Electro shock weapons (e.g. Tasers) containing dangerous goods such as explosives, compressed gases, lithium batteries, etc. are forbidden in carry-on baggage or checked baggage or on the person."



If they are lithium I'd be careful just incase they make you throw them out

 

[MiamiFox]

This all great info, I'll be going to Puerto Rico in two weeks

 

[Camron]

I think due to some security reason most of the airline companies are more concious about the security.So they can check each and every thing.So its better to take it separate so that you can easily face the security officer.

 

[beerguy]

Keep in mind that most airlines will compensate you for lost luggaage and clothes, but not electronics. If it gets lost, you will be out of luck.

 

[damiani1]

If an airline loses your stuff don't expect to get back what its worth.