Detector on Airline Flight

[GoldDigger]

I planning on heading to Florida for a week. I hope to find many riches on the beach or at least a tan. Has anyone taken a detector on a flight?

I do not want to pack it in my suitcase I would rather carry in on.

Has anyone carried on a detector?

Thank you,
Patrick

[DonF]

Originally Posted by GoldDigger

I planning on heading to Florida for a week. I hope to find many riches on the beach or at least a tan. Has anyone taken a detector on a flight?

I do not want to pack it in my suitcase I would rather carry in on.

Has anyone carried on a detector?

Thank you,
Patrick

Patrick
I haven't tried taking the metal detector on plane yet, but if I was going away, I would carry it on board with me. I travel frequently and usally take an electric guitar with me. The guitar is in a gig bag which is basically the same shape as a detector, only slightly bigger.
I've never had a problem, though, when you place the detector overhead, in one of those bins, make sure its not in a position where someone could cram their suitcase up against the detector and damage it.
Other than that, I say go for it, and I'll probably be doing the same thing in a couple of months when I head to Naples, Fl.

[l38ranger]

If i where you i would also call the airline you are taking and run it by them too... Makr sure they know you want to take it aboard with you and not in luggage....

[Joe(TX)]

A friend of mine who is a detector dealer, showed me how he takes his detector on trips. He takes a student type backpack and takes his detector apart so it will fit in this backpack. Any digging tools, earphones, etc. can be packed in the luggage! He said that he likes to keep it at his feet but I'm sure it can also be placed in the overhead compartment! HH Joe

[mtpockets]

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To secure my Investment of my Explorer Se......

These cases are Guaranteed forever They are waterproof and they float..... and if anything ever happens to the case Your Fault or not they will fix it or replace it for Free...

[GoldDigger]

Great idea on the case.

Here is an email from TSA. You are better to check your detector. You may get it pulled at the scanning area. Reading the TSA approved list they stated you cannot bring poles (bat, tennis racket...) the detector is a pole or rod in sense. I would not take the chance of carrying it on.

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Thank you for your e-mail.

The Transportation Security Administration's current security screening procedures require all carry-on luggage and accessible property be screened before passengers take them onboard an aircraft. Regardless of whether an item is on the prohibited or permitted items list, the Transportation Security Officers (TSO's) have discretion to prohibit an individual from carrying an item through the screening checkpoint or onboard an aircraft if the item poses a security threat.

Therefore, TSA security screening personnel make the final decision on whether to permit items like a NAME OF ITEM into the sterile area of the airport. Should you need additional assistance, feel free to contact us at toll free 866-289-9673.

Please visit our website at www.tsa.gov for additional information about TSA. We continue to add new information and encourage you to check the website frequently for updated information.

We hope this information is helpful.

TSA Contact Center

[GoldDigger]

I just had my GTAx 550 added as a rider on my insurance. So if it gets broken or stolen I get $500. and then I will upgrade.

[LeoinPA]

Patrick

Coupla suggestions. It would be a good idea to remember that TSA and the airlines are separate companies and one cannot speak for the other, and they don't talk to each other. Sometimes the information is conflicting.

Generally airline carryon bags have a size limit, and the longest length is usually approximately 22 inches, therefore longgun cases don't fit the maximum dimension allowed.

Pelican cases are about the best made, so it would be a good idea to use one and check it to destination rather than carry it on through security. I wouldn't want a screener to use his/her "discretion" and confiscate it as "not allowed", (or in their language abandon). It might be allowed one way and not allowed on the return. They don't give receipts and you won't get it back. I would also use a TSA approved lock. Read here why:
TSA: Air Travel

An alternative is to use Fedex, UPS, or another company and ship it to myself at destination, and let them worry about damage and replacement. They are professionals at shipping, and are more reliable at payment if things go wrong. Read the back of your ticket for limits on airline liability in baggage. It's not very much.


Thanks
Leo

[GoldDigger]

Hi Leo,

I thought about shipping it UPS. Since the Garrett I have breaks down to a small size I can fit it in my luggage with no issues. I have a hard side suit case so it should be protected, and if not, hey I got insurance on it.

I did not want to carry it on for the same reasons you stated. It may be "approved" when I leave for Florida, then on the way back they say "no." Then I will be stuck trying to go back to check in or trying to find a way to ship it.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Regards,
Patrick