I go on a plane trip in the next days and have to take my Arduino project with me. After the spent hours looking on my project I realized that it might look like something, the security check at the airport could me more interested in that they need to. Of course, there are no batteries on my breadboard or Arduino, nevertheless I could imagine I get in trouble at the airport inspection.
Did anyone made some experiences so far in regards of inner-european flights (Germany to Spain and reverse) where you take your wired projects with you? I want to avoid the need to unplug every wire just to rewire it after landing.
Hand luggage ? They might not like it if you carry it with you.
Electronics (with wires) in a suitcase as normal baggage is less problem. But don't put in any other thing that has a battery.
You can print out this topic with the URL to show, if they ask questions.
You know you project. You could unplug it and rewire it after landing. That is not so hard, is it ?
It will show up on a CT scan and probably also on a not too old plain xray, and might prompt additional inspection. I don't foresee legal problems, but a slight delay in luggage handling might happen.
I've traveled very extensively inside and outside Europe with always some arduino / ESP kits, wires, various electronic components etc with me in my back pack (Hand luggage) and never got a question - even with tightened security measures...
of course they were not "plugged in" but hey this is something you could plug in in 10 minutes inside the airplane anyway.
There is nothing that looks like explosive and it's not a weapon of any sort nor battery that would exceed the specs
Bags are always subject to inspection (customs did "swipe" my equipments and backpack many times for detecting chemicals) and if they inspect, you might get a question on what this is. it's even better of you can turn it on and explain what you do with it.
Thanks for the hint - was my first choice of taking it with me
Thats my problem: I'm travelling without any checked baggage, only hand luggage
That sounds promising.
Thats also my thoughts on this: if I do not unplug everything, I can show the working project and explain what it does. If it would be in my checked luggage, this wouldn't be an option.
In summary I think best I can do is to have it plugged as it is at the moment and then have the possibility to show the working screen. If they are still suspicious about it, I can unwire it. Even though (as J-M-L also said) the fact that I can build it up again in the plane.
Taking a circuit made on solderless bread board is simply a waste of time. It is just so unreliable. I have see many times would be exhibitors at shows trying to make things work, and many times they just have to abandon their project and go home. Solder everything up if you are taking it any ware to show.
My personal experience taking stuff from Manchester England to the Maker Fair in New York 2011 on September the 11th. (The tenth anniversary of the attacks on the twin towers).
Bags scanned - "can I have a word with you sir", "can you tell be what these are"?
Me- "They are my home made games and musical instruments to take to a show in New York".
Attendant talking to supervisor on the phone - "He says they are games".
Supervisor appearers asks me - "you made them yourself, can you open up the boxes".
The boxes were not meant to be opened but I took the cover off all the same.
Supervisor - "Put them back now, have a nice day".
The end.
So far I do not show the project anywhere - I still have to do modifications due to the fact that the project isn't finished at all. Soldering therefore makes no sense for me.
I've traveled both domestically and internationally with various electronic devices. I've had no issues with TSA or customs. I always carry them in my hand luggage as they are needed for presentations at the destination.
Clearly no lithium batteries. It helps to have a business card or student ID. Any few printed sheets of presentation material showing what it is supposed to do (In your case the display should show something that is not a timer )
Most of all be pleasant and try to be helpful when going through inspection. It has helped me to point out the item before they see it. This shows your willingness to be up front with them.
A long time ago, back in the 1980s, I carried-on a metal toobox with all of the "usual tools." I don't remember if there was any kind of knife but I had screwdrivers and a soldering iron and stuff that wouldn't be allowed today. And worse, there was a wiring harness for an arcade game... Just lots of wires & connectors but suspicious looking if you don't know anything about electronics. The guy asked me what it was and he looked at me kinda' funny but it got on the plane with the toolbox! (A domestic U.S. flight.)
I transported a soldering iron from China to U.S. as I feel like I will die without the ability to work on things during the first days of transition. It's a small USB type but still, scared the heck out of Chinese boarder inspection.
"Don't turn it on when you are in the plane", they said.
The transfer in Paris was very uneventful, tho. Maybe they have seen people lugging around soldering irons.
Again, there is nothing saying that you are "not allowed" to carry things (like a soldering iron, electric drill) that you can potentially use to put a hole in the plane
Drills and drill bits are not allowed as carry-on but they don't care if you put them as checked. For those who are wondering.
I like how the "bicycle" item is just two question marks.
"drones, unmanned aircraft systems (uas)" is allowed. I'm sure they won't care if it is small enough (like a DJI), collapsable or partially disassembled. Remote Controlled Cars are allowed in both.
Batteries regulated separately (less than 100WH per piece)
Screwdrivers, shorter than 7 inch, is allowed as both while longer ones must be checked. Same go to wrenches/pilers.
Again, no sayings on soldering irons. I assume it falls under both curling irons (unrestricted) and regular tools (shorter than 7 inch)
I assume a "satellite" falls under computing equipment, general electronics, and UAS. In which case are unrestricted. As long as they fit.
A few years back on a trip to Sweden I had climbing gears, rope, carabiner, Bugaboos, beaks and various pitons in my carry on items and they decided to let me through whereas clearly some pitons were off limits… I guess I looked non dangerous and may be my high frequent flyer mileage helped…
Another time I had forgotten my trusted wave in my backpack and they wanted me to throw it away… The pilot was passing by at the same time and offered to take it with him in an envelope and hand it back to me upon arrival. Nice touch!
Of course I’ve thrown away a few things too over the years… so you don’t always get lucky…
Recently I took a Bluetooth scheme mounted with some wires on a breadboard in a domestic flight, hand luggage. It may look scary for a layman and I was not even questioned.
In the other hand, once I forgot a watter bottle in my backpack and almost had to take my clothes off beafore entering the boarding area.
I live in a deeply red state and I am brown skinned, I traveled on a plane 3 weeks after 9/11. I could see them putting on their rubber gloves as they called me aside. They did not check the electronics, I had in my day pack on my back.
Most of the time those people at the airport who check stuff do not have a clue or are eager for their paycheck and don't really give a crap.
This past Christmas, I traveled with 6 ESP32 CAM's in my carry on. They did not even stop the x-ray conveyer to more closely examine the packages of electronics.
It all depends on when is payday for the luggage checkers. If today is payday when you travel, the lunch pizza party is on their minds, not your luggage.
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