Traveling
 

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but I'll give it a shot. I'm planning on traveling by airline to visit family for Christmas. I am hoping to take my transmitter as well as some servos and a motor. I want build a small foamie while visiting with family so that my nephews can fly. I am afraid to put my transmitter in my checked baggage because of theft issues that I have experienced in the past. Does anyone know if there are any regulations or policies about carrying on an FM transmitter in a commercial airline? Any help would be appreciated. I am flying on delta airlines.

RE: Traveling
 

Then ask Delta Airlines. That stuff changes so fast, depends on where you are going through security, and how the local station chief interprets the current regulation.
Call the airline.

I certainly would be nervous if some one had a radio transmitter in their on-board bag.

Do like I did with my .44 Super Blackhawk while driving through Canada to Alaska. Send it Fed X . Even do it "Will Call" to pick up at the local office when you get there.

RE: Traveling
 

Kind of a side story...
In 1984 I went out to Las Vegas to watch the TOC.
Circus Hobbies was of course still going strong and while there I bought a JR Century 7 radio.
When I came home to Texas I took the "red eye" out...about 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning if I recall.
I decided to carry the radio on in it's original packing.
Even then there was security and they screened your carry on stuff.
The airline terminal was virtually empty as I placed the box on the belt.
The security guy kinda casually said, "what do have...a radio"?
I told him yes and asked him if he could see it clearly?
He told me to come around to the other side and see for myself.
Sure enough, in kind of an x-ray picture you could see the individual servos and wires going to the rx, the battery pack and the guts of the tx with the stick of nicads in it.
I was young and stupid then and I blurted out "It looks like a bomb"!
I immediately realized what I had said, looked around and of course every one within ear shot was staring at me.
The security guy just gave me a disgusted look and a "move on" jesture.
...simpler times back then...
JLK

RE: Traveling
 

Yes you can carry a TX on an airplane. Not too long ago I carried a complete RTF e-heli in it's own carry case, no questions asked.

RE: Traveling
 

I traveled delta(they suck), Jetblue(theyre awesome) and United with my Blade CX as my carry on. I even flew it in the terminal afetr a 1 hour delay was announced. The capt. of the plane asked if he could give it a whirl. I told him he could fly mine if I could fly his!! I only flew my CX that day....
ANYWAY, if the battery is removed, then you will have no issue at security, but be careful of the tools you pack in a carry on, some do not pass. Other than that you should have no problem, but I would verify,verify,verify with the airline, but I have had NO problem and I flew right after the NO LIQUIDS fiasco.

Hope this helps and thank you for exposing your nephews to our hobby.

SSRCCPREZ

RE: Traveling
 

Ha ... mine was a Blade CPP. My friend and I were joking about flying it in the airplane. Somebody's going to do it eventually, might as well be me.

RE: Traveling
 

things have and will continue to change. The AMA has been to the TSA in the past, and educated and trained some of the TSA people in what to look for when looking at RC models and equipment. Another of the benefits for all modelers whether AMA members or not.

RE: Traveling
 

Thanks for all of the valuable info. I called Delta and they informed me that it was fine to carry on a transmitter, but that it wouldn't be OK to turn it on with out crew member approval...........[sm=50_50.gif] The customer service agent informed me that they would most likely open my bag at the security check point in the airport. Looks like I'll be taking it with me.

RE: Traveling
 

I travel with R/C stuff all the time.

When traveling with the 9Z, I pull the transmitter out of the case and put it in a grey bucket, do this when you go though TSA security. At every airport I have been to, they know what they are and have no problem.

I have pulled the Blade out a couple of times for them to "inspect".

RE: Traveling
 

I have taken TX, charger, batteries and the like in carry on luggage. I have also put it in checked luggage. Never a problem.

I would suggest you remove the battery from the TX so you don't accidentially turn it on during the flight in the checked or carry on luggage.

RE: Traveling
 

Like Ed, I have flown to the west coast a number of times to fly contests, have both sent TX through in the bagage and carried on too, never a problem. I once did have some girls at the gate do a search who had never seen a TX before, they were a bit undone till somone said it was OK. Now, I wish they looked at our Sport Tubes the same way.

Marc Gellart
LSF LV 121