What tools can you take in carry on airline bag ?

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Cressida

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I am going to fly out of state to pick up a car. I would like to take a few hand tools for the 400 mile road trip home but figure the TSA will try and take them.

Does anyone know if I would be able to take a pair of pliers, maybe two screwdrivers, 4 or 5 sockets and a ratchet in a carry on? I'd like to take even more but know I will have to limit it.
 
When I bought a car across country, I checked a bag and brought whatever I wanted.

Suck it up and pay to check a bag. Those of us who travel a lot and need overhead bin space to get off a plane and to our meetings in a jiffy will thank you, and more importantly, you won't risk any issues...
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
When I bought a car across country, I checked a bag and brought whatever I wanted.

Suck it up and pay to check a bag. Those of us who travel a lot and need overhead bin space to get off a plane and to our meetings in a jiffy will thank you, and more importantly, you won't risk any issues...


This argument that checking a bag helps frequent travelers doesn't make sense.
Those who travel a lot will have priority boarding status so will already have first dibs on front seats even in economy as well as overhead bin space.

People who miss out on baggage bin space are steerage class with no status who are fighting it out with other steerage class cattle.
 
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I got pulled aside at ORD for some "up close and personal" attention because I had a Mitutoyo micrometer in my briefcase. The TSA agent who found it held it up with two fingers like it was infectious and called for help. Fortunately one of the other TSA agents who came to assist her knew what it was, so I didn't have to go to the special room. But they did go through all my stuff and swab me for explosives.

If I'm going on a business trip that requires equipment I'll either check it or FedEx it to my destination ahead of time.
 
Don't tempt fate, and don't rely on the TSA to understand their own rules, just check the tools or buy a few when you arrive. This isn't up to your airline, it's completely up to the TSA...

I've had TSA agents who are unable to distinguish between measures of weight (oz...) and unit volume (also, oz) and they will confiscate, even if your items are allowed.

Protestation at the point of unreasonable confiscation will cause more unreasonable behaviour on their part...and your journey will end right then and there...
 
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You can travel with anything 7" or less, including screwdrivers, but no sharp blades of any length. If it is even close, take it out of your bag and place it on top of your carry on going through the xray, they will appreciate it and might even let you fudge a little. I had a set of wrenches with a couple at 8-9" and they let me go through.
I've shipped tools UPS, carried on when I just need a couple of items, and bought when I landed. Just depends on what you need but they are all doable.
 
I flew Southwest and checked tools (for free) for just your scenario. I typed up an inventory list listing EVERYTHING and included it (and had access on my smartphone), lest my stuff "walk." SWA doesn't go where you're going?
 
I've traveled with a bunch of hand tools in my carry-on before. I was going to visit and friend and his car broke down just before i left.

One airport didn't say a word about the 10 lbs of tools in my backpack.

On the way back, I happened to be standing where I could see their x-ray screen when my bag went through. The cluster of metal in there looked absolutely diabolical on their x-ray machine and the TSA agents started to gather around the machine and mutter to each other. Before they could work themselves into a frenzy, I waved at them cheerfully and said "Good morning! Those are small hand tools." Luckily I don't wear a turban, so they all relaxed and everything was rather pleasant from there.

So that's my neutral-to-positive story of the TSA actually doingtheir job. 3 stars would endure again
grin.gif
 
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Don't tempt fate, and don't rely on the TSA to understand their own rules, just check the tools or buy a few when you arrive. This isn't up to your airline, it's completely up to the TSA...

I've had TSA agents who are unable to distinguish between measures of weight (oz...) and unit volume (also, oz) and they will confiscate, even if your items are allowed.

Protestation at the point of unreasonable confiscation will cause more unreasonable behaviour on their part...and your journey will end right then and there...


Which is just ONE reason I will hitch hike before I will fly.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
When I bought a car across country, I checked a bag and brought whatever I wanted.

Suck it up and pay to check a bag. Those of us who travel a lot and need overhead bin space to get off a plane and to our meetings in a jiffy will thank you, and more importantly, you won't risk any issues...


This. I fly for a living, and the chckpoints are extremely variable so you cannot count on some local policy allowing items. Smart thing, check your bag and make sure it is locked. Or FedEx it to yourself at the destination.

Edit: and +1 on Astro's post above.
 
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