Airline travel and what they'll allow - any objections to this?

[Scherdy]

So I'm flying out to see family which means a lot of time waiting around for relatives to show up, or scheduled events to roll around and without a car I'll mostly be stuck where we are staying. So to keep sane and distracted from what can be the worst and also the best part of the holidays (being unable to escape from family), I want to bring a few things to work on.

Anyone with experience from flying with their paints/tools in their carry-on have any feedback on what I plan on bringing?

A few brushes
Selection of paints for the handful of models I'll be bringing
5-7 plastic and metal models and bits (already primed so no spray cans)
some magicsculp (it just looks like 2 different color clays in separate containers)
bits of sandpaper
some basing materials - sand/cork/flock/static grass
superglue (CA and plastic glue)

This stuff will just get buried in the checked bag with clothes
files, xacto, pin vice & bits, sprue clippers

Any advice or see anything that you think will be a problem?
Or even anything that I might be missing/leaving out?

I mean, I'm sure MacGyver could make 13 ways to hijack a plane with these resources but I don't they'll accuse me of trying to with this stuff I hope.

 

[Chrome]

For starters, Paint is a big no no. And I believe that is the same with epoxy material and glue. Can't remember the exact regulations but anything resembling fluids in general is good to avoid to prevent unnecessary trouble.

 

[Tercha]

it would be better to post everything to the address you will be at and source as much locally as possible.

 

[mickc22]

I wouldn't even contemplate taking that in the cabin, best to put it in the hold, because whatever they decide you cant have, you wont see again

 

[Scherdy]

Well happy day. It's been a while since I've flown but I never would have thought 25 ml pots of acrylic paint would be a problem. But I suppose if they won't let you bring a water bottle then all bets are off. Could just get glue there and leave the magicsculp at home I suppose. Not really into re-buying paints though. I'd assume having paints in the checked luggage could be a huge problem with the tops popping with pressure changes?

Thanks for helping me avoid what may have been a huge headache. The airport is never very relaxing on even a good day.

Looks like I'll have to find other ways to stay busy and in my right mind

 

[diddy lemon1]

paint shouldnt be a problem? your allowed to take shampoo on holiday with you im sure they will let you take paints if they are in hold luggage.

 

[Eggroll]

Well I think the biggest issue would be do you look foreign or threatening? Those "random" spot checks don't always seem very random. Anyway, just to be safe, I'd just check everything except maybe the models.

 

[Spacemunkie]

You've got no chance of getting that on the plane in your carry on luggage. It'll be straight to the bin with most of it I'd have thought.

 

[evil tendencies]

Ditto on checking everything you can. Here's a glimpse into the mind of a terror cop/screener, courtesy of a federal cop associate of mine.

• Paint can look like liquid explosives, as can white glue.
• Putty or clay of any kind looks like polymer explosives.
• CA glue can be turned into a toxic gas.
• Hobby tools can be used as improvised weapons.
• Sandpaper has been used in some crude detonators.

You might think it's a bit silly to worry about a hijacking with these supplies, and you'd probably be right, but airport screeners and terror cops are notorious for leaving their sense of reality and humor in the locker room before each shift. The price of failure is too high I suppose.

You might get away with some paints and a few brushes, but don't bet on it.

 

[Spacemunkie]

You just need some A-Team music and you're a one man army

 

[Einion]

You can make it on board with some wooden sculpting tools and small amounts of MagicSculp hidden in your carry-on luggage. I know because I just managed it as an experiment (flying to and from the US).

But I resigned myself to losing both the cocktail sticks and the MS if questioned and the security guy/gal said no flat out - if they don't know about something they're notorious for erring on the side of caution*.

Everything on your list can definitely make it through in the checked bag so that's the safest way to go.

Einion

*Someone missed a flight due to their MacBook Air because the security people on duty at the time didn't know there were any laptops with no hard drives.

 

[Scherdy]

Well I'll give checking it all a try for the most part and hope the paints stay closed during the flight!
Thanks again for all the help everyone

 

[Wren]

I would think paints would fit the same criteria as other liquids - under 3oz each and only as much as you can fit in a quart bag if you want them in carryon. I admit, if I were a security person I would find putty and sharp tools suspicious.

I have had all of these things you mention in my checked baggage with no problems, other than glue. (There's always been someone else who'd have it where I travel with mini stuff, so I skip it just to be safe. Otherwise I'd just buy some cheap stuff at my destination.) If you're checking luggage anyway, go ahead and just chuck it all in there. Screw on your paint lids tight and double bag 'em in freezer bags. Some people have mentioned that dropper paints can kind of ooze if you open them after changing elevation/pressure, but that's a problem for after you've landed. I'd expect your bag to be searched, so I'd make it relatively easy for them to get to.

You could also try checking on the Reaper forums (http://www.reapermini.com), I know people there fly to their convention, maybe some have more intel on what you can manage in carry-on.

 

[Rugne]

yup, I can only agree with everyone else, don't even try to get any of this onto the plane in your hand luggage. It's not like you can really use it while flying anyway.

And as Wren says, DO double bag your paints, I know inks leak like crazy.

Having said all this, I did manage to walk onto a transatlantic flight a year ago with a scalpel with a brand new blade in my pencil case, but that's another story.

Marc

 

[Einion]

It's not like you can really use it while flying anyway.

I sculpted on the flight out

Einion

 

[Rugne]

lol, there's always one

Marc

 

[Ritual]

Everything on your list can definitely make it through in the checked bag so that's the safest way to go.

Nope! A friend of mine (Avelorn) got his name called out on the airport speaker system and had to go to an office somewhere where they had his checked-in luggage. Some scanner had found something in his bag and they had to go through it. Turned out to be the super glue! So, he had to bin it.

I'd assume paints could go into the sealable plastic bag of 1 litre you're allowed to carry in your carry-on luggage. But, you'd only be allowed to bring as many paint pots that can fit in the bag, and it's not that much.

Xacto, files and any other metal tools must go in your checked-in luggage. No chance whatsoever to take it in your carry-on luggage.

 

[Einion]

lol, there's always one

Nope! A friend of mine (Avelorn) got his name called out on the airport speaker system and had to go to an office somewhere where they had his checked-in luggage. Some scanner had found something in his bag and they had to go through it. Turned out to be the super glue! So, he had to bin it.

I said can and safest, not will and safe

It goes without saying that many of us have travelled without a hitch with superglue in our hold luggage, but there's always a chance some over-eager security lackey will try to make a name for themselves by calling foul. Probably bucking for promotion!

Einion