Any suggestions for flying with electronic prototypes? I'm flying with two wireless sensor boxes (arduino, accelerometer, gyro, xbee radio, battery) tomorrow, and wondering if I should check them or carry them on, and how I should label them.
I do that all the time and I never have problems. If the goons at airports ask what those things are, the best answer is that you use them for sexual self-gratification. (I use exactly this wording, it frightens them away) I sometimes even develop and test Arduino Programs during the flight. Sometimes the Stewardess looks a bit strange or curious when I unpack my pocket-oscilloscope, but I never got any problems.
Though theses days, put wire-cutters and other tools into the checked baggage. In theory, propane soldering irons might be problematic, but I never had any problems with mine in the checked baggage. Also if you bring those big batteries used for lanterns in your hand-baggage, you might have problems, but I never tried that.
Korman
propane soldering irons might be problematic
...are prohibited.
I know, but I never had problems with my Portasol soldering iron. But then, I always put it in the checked luggage.
Korman
Eh...well, the fact that they haven't caught the propane soldering iron doesn't mean that they think it's OK, or that there isn't a valid reason to prohibit them.
i was testing a prototype the stewardess objected and took it away !
and once i got down they went for through checking and then questioned me :o
You have to take the batterys out of everything even if it a real time clock i went with a arduinio with a bat pack thye made me take my sd out of my time clock becuse it looked like a bomb for the 7 segment display on top.
Any suggestions for flying with electronic prototypes?
I am often flying (2-3 times a month) with prototypes, probes, and odd-looking (to non-engineers) pcbs. Throughout the world, I have found that putting my potentially questionable pieces in their own bin while going through security usually resolves any issues up front. In general, this isn't even necessary.
If you get questions, simply say "it is a prototype that does ." Korman's response is cute, but I never found a need to use anything like that. Turns out most people don't want to look stupid, so don't treat them stupid when they ask. Give a true and reasonable response and most people will be happy with that.
Give a true and reasonable response and most people will be happy with that.
Yeah, but people here in America are so uptight about anything relating to sex; give them Korman's explanation, watch them get squicked-out, and enjoy the show. Maybe they'll have something new to discuss around the lunch room or dinner table later...
;D
I wonder how far you'd get if you'd say (while laughing, or making other FAR too obvious sarcasm infused gestures) it was for a 'ignition system' ;D
(assuming this is in the US)
E0.02 on less than 50 meters!
I wonder how far you'd get if you'd say (while laughing, or making other FAR too obvious sarcasm infused gestures) it was for a 'ignition system' (assuming this is in the US)
You're making the grand assumption that an American TSA agent can parse a three-syllable word...
;D
I wonder how far you'd get if you'd say (while laughing, or making other FAR too obvious sarcasm infused gestures) it was for a 'ignition system'
This is a very stupid idea. Don't even think about this. If you say it's an ignition system, no matter if laughing or not, every cop on this world will take you apart. That's the kind of jokes that makes you miss your plane. I've had a stupid work mate who asked when returning from Amsterdam the customs officer jokingly if there's an import tax on pot. Well, lets say he got the full treatment. Deserved him right. Stupidity is its own reward.
Korman
They didn't even look at them in Helsinki or Chicago. They did confiscate some jam 
They didn't even look at them in Helsinki or Chicago. They did confiscate some jam
Forgot to mention this earlier... traveling for a living has taught me: "Never apply logic to actions by anyone working in the travel industry."