flying with garb

[Lady Deborah]

We flew to CA for faire last April, from Indiana.  We decided to take enough garb so that we didn't look like tourist mundanes, but not so much that we had security/check in issues.  No weapons or flasks, but most of our other finery.  In no way whatsoever did that decision affect our ability to have a great time!  Flying can be such a pain now, make it easy on yourself. 

[Merlin the Elder]

I really don't think that they have any idea what they're looking for.  Several years ago, post 9/11, we flew to DFW to go to Scarby...four of us. Three matronly-looking gray-haired women, and one Taliban-looking wizard. Who do you think got searched? Two of the women got extra search down and back, the other fem on only one leg of the trip. They never gave me a second look.

[Dinobabe]

I flew into Denver this morning and had no problems getting thru with my crochet hook.

[Auryn]

I agree with Merlin, they have no clue what they are doing.

I flew to Toronto in November.
When I got home back to Florida a week later I realized that in my purse I had 2 drill bits and 2 jig saw blades (its my travel bag that I use when we have a job on site at a marina).
This was after taking 4 airplanes and going through security and customs.

[Lady Rebecca]

I agree with Merlin, they have no clue what they are doing.

I flew to Toronto in November.
When I got home back to Florida a week later I realized that in my purse I had 2 drill bits and 2 jig saw blades (its my travel bag that I use when we have a job on site at a marina).
This was after taking 4 airplanes and going through security and customs.

Wow. How big were the saw blades?

I have always flown with my crochet hooks and my scissors (about a 2" blade). When I flew home for Xmas, I also had a project with pins in it. No one has ever said anything.

On the other hand, last year they confiscated my nail polish remover, even though it was in a 2oz bottle.

[Rosamundi]

Cracking up @ Merlin the Elder. If TSA will search a nun, why not a wizard? I think that's outright discrimination. But where to file, oh, where, to file the complaint? 

This fall, I flew into Las Vegas with two sofa-sized suitcases and had no problem. But it was all peasant and gypsy garb.  We didn't pack any weapons, and I left my most treasured flask at home, just in case.

I'm flying to Arizona in a couple weeks (yay! see you there!) and will again pack inexpensive/squishable garb only. I think the others have the right rule of thumb: if it would break your heart to lose it, don't fly with it.

[Nailin]

As of my last post I've flown many times to faires and personally if it's of value to you it will be of value to someone else; make sure you put locks on everything; i nearly lost a bag full of garb and a brand new wooden mug i had waited 4 years for...it was a small duffel to carry on - it had to be gate checked due to overhead bins being full & the FA saying it would not fit under my seat - long story short - the bag tags came off and it was a nightmare trying to find a black duffel - it had no locks on it and my only saving grace was that i had put my address on the inside of the duffel - i travel with simple garb and make sure that the corset or bodice is on top - most of the time I've just kept it out - I've gotten flagged about 4 times for the issue with boning and explaining what it is...happy flying...

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

I don't think you can lock checked luggage (the stuff you check at the counter).  I think it has to be available to be 'random' inspected, and most likely if it has a lock, that is the one they would pick.

[Anna Iram]

I buy TSA locks, available at most luggage shops. They can be opened by agents but are theft proof to anyone else. My luggage gets tagged most every time what with steel hoops and corsets and. so forth. I'm sure they think they've got a terrorist for sure until out pops bloomers and other lacy  geejaws. I do usually pack the suspect stuff on top with a brief note of explanation.

Note: I don't pack anything that is a real treasure. I carry on my beautiful feather fan from Scarby and my Blonde Swan hat and anything else with special memories.

[Kruzar]

I have traveled several times with my garb, and the best investment ever was a good solid rifle case for my sharp and pointy things.  My sword and various daggers fit in one case without problem, and it has never been an issue checking it through the counter.  I do a get a few looks from people as I come in with a gun case, but other than that it is fine.  I do also use the TSA locks just to make sure it is secure.

As far as my garb and other accessories, I normally check those as well in a different suitcase.  I am almost always travelling for business or some other reason and going to faire is a bonus.    The only item that I won't check is my custom boots.  I will take those with me no matter what, the only problem is  I can't wear them and go on a plane.   Takes so long to lace them on...

The other thing that I love about my rifle case is that it is a perfect storage and carrying device for when I am home as well.  Fits perfectly in the back of my SUV, and keeps everything nice and ready... no hassle of trying to remember where I put them blades. 

[Jade Sapphire Emerald]

As of my last post I've flown many times to faires and personally if it's of value to you it will be of value to someone else; make sure you put locks on everything; i nearly lost a bag full of garb and a brand new wooden mug i had waited 4 years for...it was a small duffel to carry on - it had to be gate checked due to overhead bins being full & the FA saying it would not fit under my seat - long story short - the bag tags came off and it was a nightmare trying to find a black duffel - it had no locks on it and my only saving grace was that i had put my address on the inside of the duffel - i travel with simple garb and make sure that the corset or bodice is on top - most of the time I've just kept it out - I've gotten flagged about 4 times for the issue with boning and explaining what it is...happy flying...

A trick my family has always done for luggage (especially the black and navy blue luggage bags) is use metallic or bright colored tape and make random designs. It makes it easier if the tags do come off. We used to cruise all the time, and if anyone has been on a cruise, you know that at the end, everyone's luggage is thrown on the ground for you to go hunting for. Usually close together, but we've had a few times where the bright colored designs helped us find our stuff.

[Al-Nimer]

Over Spring Break last month, we went on a trip to Turkey with a group from cowgrrl's school.  I made the mistake of buying an authentic Turkish "dagger" (actually a short simtar) in Istanbul the first day we were out.  (BTW, I bought it right across the street from the Blue Mosque & Hagia Sophia!)  I actually carried into the Blue Mosque, although it was wrapped heavily in bubble wrap.  When we flew to Antalya, I put it in our checked bag, not knowing that ALL bags going into the airports have to go through a scanner.  It immediately caught the attention of their security, but luckily, we had 2 Turks in our group who could assure them that it was for "decorative" purposes only   

After that, we made sure at least one of the Turks was with me when I went through security, and we didn't have any problems.  If anything, the TSA was much more lax here than their version.

Although there's not a picture of the simtar yet, here's a link to my collection of photos from that trip:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/al-nimer/collections/72157626229038873/

[Marietta Graziella]

I flew to 3 faires last year and my luggage was searched every time.  No weapons, no hoops.  By my trouble was with my hats!  (I pack one and have to wear one on the plane-yes, I got looks.)  I make large, rather grandiose hats that I pack very carefully to avoid damaging them.  They searched my bags and "repacked" them and my hats were damaged.  Grrr.  But for me, the hats make my outfits so I will keep packing them, keep repairing them, keep annoying TSA.  *shrug*

Headed to CORF for RenDezvous this summer...perhaps I'll put a note in my luggage greeting TSA folks.  lol

[Auryn]

Marietta,
could your second hat fit in your carry on luggage??

I flew home from LA with a big beach hat and an arm full of peacock feathers, I think I would have gotten less looks and comments if I had the actual peacock with me.
I can only imagine the looks you get- id love to travel with you hehe

[Adriana Rose]

when I flew with my leather cavailier I tucked all my cloths around it and it make it ok. Granted that was before I started to add accesories to it like crazy though. Some times I think the tsa goes through peoples stuff for giggles