Picks And Steel On Airlines

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 13 Jan 2014 12:01 pm

When flying is it better to put your picks and bar in your carry on bag or in your "Check In" suitcase?
Reason for asking of course, the bar could be a dangerous weapon.
I would appreciate some feedback.
Many thanks.

Paul DiMaggio · Post by **Paul DiMaggio** » 13 Jan 2014 12:50 pm

I usually carry them on. Having said that, I was questioned once in Vancouver and they had to dig around to find them in what was mostly dirty laundry. There was no issue with them other than they didn't know what they were. I was advised to keep them in a more accessible place in my carry on. The machines sometimes see things in an odd way. I bought a double snaffle driving bit for a horse in Calgary and every x-Ray machine security guy said it looked like a knife. It was made of 4 twisted wires with offset snaffles and 3" cheek rings no flat pieces. In Prince George the woman let me look at the image on the screen and sure enough, it looked like a knife.

David Soreff · Post by **David Soreff** » 13 Jan 2014 2:10 pm

Aloha,
I always put them in my carry on...and have never had a problem. I have had TSA ask a few times to see them, but never had anything taken away. I usually carry about four bars with me and three sets og thumb picks and finger picks...never an ussue.

Scott Malchow · Post by **Scott Malchow** » 13 Jan 2014 2:56 pm

In my experience, airport security questions can vary
city to city. I usually carry bars , picks, and wrenches in a separate leather pouch and take it out of my laptop bag and present it along with my wallet. It seems that presenting it up front makes the process faster. I have had more questions in Phoenix and Minneapolis than other places. Once at the Nashville airport, the TSA agent looked up at me and asked "What kind of guitar do you have? I play an MSA!" Priceless moment.......