131
votes
Accepted
Why were holes drilled into my luggage when I entered the US?
The three holes are perfectly spaced, and too clean/consistent on both sides to be a rush job with a handheld drill. The dimples on the bottom suggest to me they were punched on a specially made jig. ...
108
votes
Considerations for very fragile and expensive (> $100,000) items in carry-on luggage
This is something you will need to talk directly to the airline about, or a specialist freight carrier or courier.
Most airlines offer a high value item service, where special care and attention is ...
- 23.3k
103
votes
Considerations for very fragile and expensive (> $100,000) items in carry-on luggage
Drive. Insurance won't help with something you can't replace and may not have time to repair, and you don't want the stress dealing with the risks of handing over control.
Do yourself a favour and ...
- 51.6k
73
votes
TSA broke a lock for which they have a master key. How can I claim compensation?
Note (from Yale):
TSA Security Officers inspect more than 2 million pieces of baggage every day. It is faster and easier for them to open your Travel Sentry locks using their special Travel ...
- 28.2k
62
votes
TSA didn't relock my bag after they opened it. How can I lock it?
Not a solution for the current problem, but for future reference it may be good to keep in mind: As others have pointed out, TSA-compliant locks are a joke and a waste of money. They are not secure ...
- 699
55
votes
TSA didn't relock my bag after they opened it. How can I lock it?
Get your own key for the TSA lock. Unfortunately for the traveling public in the US, these locks are notoriously insecure. Keys for them can be had for $10 or less on eBay. (example)
- 60.8k
55
votes
Will TSA allow me to carry a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)/sleep apnea device?
I carried my Cpap device to/from USA with no problems. I contacted the airline in advance to enquire as I'd not done this before and - like you - I was unsure of the procedure. Without any hesitation ...
- 2,476
49
votes
Accepted
Can I bring a wooden dough rolling stick onto the plane(carry-on)?
I asked https://www.facebook.com/AskTSA and they've told me that it is not allowed in carry-on bags.
(12:44:55 PM) Ask TSA: We're glad you asked! Rolling pins must be
packed in checked bags. Safe ...
48
votes
Considerations for very fragile and expensive (> $100,000) items in carry-on luggage
Source: I had a small hand in a cubesat built in West Virginia and was around during launch integration preparation.
Our contract lead filed paperwork ahead of time with the TSA. (Various forms, I ...
- 581
46
votes
Accepted
TSA asking to see cell phone
When you are randomly selected for additional screening (which is a core part of TSA PreCheck as well as TSA procedures in general), the additional screening applies to you and all of your possessions....
- 107k
44
votes
Accepted
Are wet wipes subject to the TSA's 3-1-1 Liquids Rule?
The other answers are correct, but they rely on the assumption that wet wipes are not liquid, gel, aerosol, cream, or paste, without any evidence that the TSA would accept that. As you correctly ...
- 119k
43
votes
Why were holes drilled into my luggage when I entered the US?
Why would the TSA/CBP/other agency drill holes into the bag, when they could've simply opened it?
Holes are normally drilled when a suspicious trace shows up from another test - for example, there ...
- 23.3k
43
votes
Accepted
What does TSA mean by "pivot point" when talking about shears/scissors in carry-on luggage?
As JonathanReez mentioned in a now-deleted comment, the pivot point is not in your suitcase; it's part of your scissors:
(source: Weebly)
An alternative phrasing could read:
If packed in carry-on,...
- 5,725
42
votes
Party going through airport security at separate times?
There is no requirement that your entire party go through TSA together. Everyone needs their own boarding pass and ID and can go through security without the rest of the group.
Source: I have gone ...
- 84.8k
42
votes
Considerations for very fragile and expensive (> $100,000) items in carry-on luggage
Contact a parcel carrier such as UPS, DHL, Fedex, etc. They all have options for delivering high value items which may or may not meet your needs. For instance, DHL offers a separate delivery vehicle ...
- 9,300
41
votes
Accepted
Am I allowed to take a graphics card in my carry-on luggage?
There's no mention of electronic boards etc in the TSA prohibited items list. So provided they aren't so heavy as to be a potential "blunt instrument" weapon, you should be ok. If they're in original ...
- 12.7k
40
votes
Why does the TSA frisk you after having you pass through the scanner?
Why does TSA frisk you after you have gone through the body scanner?
Specifically, with the body scanner, you can see on their screen if you look that it all they see is a vague alert superimposed ...
- 2,501
38
votes
Accepted
Can others in my party go through TSA PreCheck?
According to TSA.gov, the FAQ says no:
I’m traveling with my family; can they also use the TSA Pre✓® lane?
Family members ages 12 and under traveling with an eligible parent or guardian with a TSA ...
- 9,825
37
votes
Accepted
Does a federal security clearance allow you to bypass airport security?
There's no generally available program that would allow most people to bypass airport security altogether. Some categories of people are exempt from the normal security process after identity and ...
- 84.8k
37
votes
How common is it for airport officers to steal valuables from luggage?
I've heard that this happens frequently with the TSA in the United States
You may have heard wrong. In 2014 the US airport with most TSA complaints filed was JFK in New York with 891 complaints. In ...
- 67.3k
34
votes
Can I (a US citizen) travel from Puerto Rico to Miami with just a copy of my passport?
No, but also yes.
A photocopy of a passport is not a valid ID, according to the TSA. But, also, it is sometimes possible to fly without an ID if you have lost yours. In such cases, be prepared to ...
- 6,727
33
votes
TSA broke a lock for which they have a master key. How can I claim compensation?
The only online mechanism for filing claims is through the claims page on the TSA website.
You may file a claim if you are injured or your property is lost or
damaged during the screening process....
- 157k
30
votes
What can I wear to avoid getting frisked and crotch searched by TSA at the airport?
Wear trousers without metal and by preference ones that stay up without a belt. It is not a given that you will not be checked but it will make it less likely and you will feel better when you are ...
- 50.5k
29
votes
What can I wear to avoid getting frisked and crotch searched by TSA at the airport?
You want clothing that appears invisible to the millimeter wave scanner, so you appear naked i.e. no false positives. Any metal will obviously show up, but anomalies in fabric density can also appear ...
- 599
28
votes
Accepted
Is not checking in any baggage suspicious?
Normally I carry a small bag for the overhead compartment, but I was flying from Heathrow to NYC once and carrying only my baise en ville...
It caused me to get flagged up for further questioning by ...
- 83.6k
28
votes
Accepted
What do you do if your driver's license was stolen a week before a domestic US flight?
Call the airline to see if they have any suggestions.
TSA does not require you to have ID:
In the event you arrive at the airport without valid identification,
because it is lost or at home, you ...
- 1,780
27
votes
Accepted
"Do not board" message at the airport check-in?
The CBP/TSA have recommendations from both their own and external parties about certain individuals for whatever reasons - innocuous, cautionary or other, indicating that their recommendation is that ...
- 157k
27
votes
Accepted
TSA broke a lock for which they have a master key. How can I claim compensation?
If you have travel insurance, you can file a claim for damaged baggage. You should look at a reasonable option to fully repair the damage, which may include buying a brand new suitcase if there is no ...
- 2,600
27
votes
Accepted
How do I reset the TSA-unlocked indicator on my lock?
The Swissgear TSA lock instruction manual has some guidance on how to reset the red indicator:
To reset & hide the red indicator:
To return the red color indicator back to its original ...
- 19.4k
26
votes
Is TSA lock compulsory for travel to US?
No, using a "TSA lock" is not compulsory. What using one does is enable TSA to physically inspect your luggage, if they so deem it necessary, without cutting your existing lock(s).
If you use a "TSA ...
- 9,825
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible