I know allot of you guys been traveling over seas and I have a trip this year I have to go over the pond and I haven't traveled out of country since 9-11 mostly due to my disgust of how much the TSA has made traveling. Anyway I have to travel in this case and are wondering if some of these items were allowed on overseas flights. I have checked there web site and I'm wondering if these items are allowed through both TSA and Customs and allowed for carry on.

1. Several sets of batteries
2. 50 feet of parachute cord
3. Solar Panels
4. Water filters with carbon granuals
5. Stainless steel (empty) bottles and cup
6. GPS
7. US MILITARY LENSATIC COMPASS with TRITIUM
8. first aid kit
9. Lighters
10. Bar of soap and deoderent stick
11. Ferrirod

These are just a few items I was wanting to take in the cabin, I don't believe in checking luggage if all possible, I don't like lost luggage and It's easier for me to get around this way.

Here's what I know:

1. Several sets of batteries
Fine as long as they aren't lithium batteries

2. 50 feet of parachute cord
Braid it into something decorative

3. Solar Panels
No problem

4. Water filters with carbon granuals
Don't know but suspect it's okay

5. Stainless steel (empty) bottles and cup
They'll ask you to prove the bottle is empty

6. GPS
No problem as long as you don't use it during flight. Some times you can get away with it other times you'll be asked to shut it down.

7. US MILITARY LENSATIC COMPASS with TRITIUM
No problem with non-tritium lensatic compass (military knock-off), no experience with tritium ones.

8. first aid kit
Make sure any pills are in oringinal packaging and be careful what you bring. Some common cough medicine ingredients and pain killers aren't allowed in some countries, especially Asia and Middle East. Make sure any liquids and creams end are placed in your liquids-baggie.

9. Lighters
Supposedly okay, probably depends on TSA agent.

10. Bar of soap and deoderent stick
No problem, though I usually put the deoderant in my liquids-baggie.

11. Ferrirod
Very iffy! Most likely not allowed in carry-on but rules may have been changed.

-Blast

I have the Boy Scout Hot Spark on my key chain and have never had a problem getting on a plane with it.

http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=CAMPING&C3=CAMPEQUIP&C4=&LV=3&item=01167&prodid=01167^8^01RTL&

50 feet, braided into something decorative? Wow, that's a lot of work and a long braid.

I have a couple of braided landyards of 150 lb. test cord, one I keep on my key chain. To braid it, I used two pieces of cord, each about 5 feet in length. These braids end up being about 8 inches in length. Using 50 feet of cord, cut into two 25 foot lengths, the braids would be about 4 feet long. Yikes.

perhaps one of these: belt

if you really had to have a lot. not 50', but 25' maybe.

what a bout wrapping the paracord around the shoulder straps of you bag?

I think 40 feet might be needed to make a belt like that. Each inch of that belt would probably take as long a cord as was needed to make an inch of my landyard. I used a total of about 9 feet for 8 inches. So 40 feet of cord with that belt would get you about 32-36 inches of belt. It might take more cord. Your cord would not be all in one length, but there are worst thigns to deal with, like no cord with you at all.

That belt would also get you past security without having to take off your belt.

In addition to the BSA sparker, you can probably get on a plane with a P-38 or P-51 can opener. It's a poor choice for many jobs, but it also has been carried by me onto a plane and into a courthouse, which has similar restrictions.

Here's the link to the TSA list of prohibited items:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Dave

I agree that medications are something that can seem so innocuous but get you into hot water, particularly if some official wants to use it as an excuse to make trouble for you. So check to see what common meds you might have in your kit are actually illegal where you're travelling.

I've never heard of water filters being an issue, but I'll relate a story about flying back from Japan. Just a routine physical inspection of my check-in suitcase led to the discovery of a novelty item my wife had bought--these small mesh bags of real wood charcoal that you drop into your bath. They supposedly soak up the chlorine and other "impurities". Anyway, they were taken away since they're flammable. I hadn't thought of it, but yeah, I guess so. <shrug>

I've never tried putting activated charcoal to a match, though, Does it burn? I would think so, with its huge surface area.

I would pack a travel toothbrush and a SMALL tube of toothpaste.



Why not lithium batteries?

Regards,
Steve

Lithium Batteries

My mistake, spare lithium batteries are not allowed in cheched baggage as of Jan. 1st, 2008.

link

-Blast

Thanks for the info, so many things have changed since I've had a chance to head to the third world and it should be interesting this go around. I have been gearing up on a lot of non metallic items as well like money belts as well as the zipper belt (non metallic zippers)etc.. to put normal stuff to pass through the detectors seamless. Nothing illegal, just papers, money things of that nature and some basic kit items like a small signal mirror, plastic whistle, magnifying frenzel lens, etc.. I'm bringing on a mosquito net for sleeping (backpacker style) and cut down the 50 foot cords as suggested into 4 equal pieces because I won't have a knife until I get into country and then I'll acquire one locally. On the way back probably concerns me the most because along time ago I always got a hard time trying to bring things back with crooked customs on the third world side, so I'm trying to also gear up with items that may get stolen or confiscated. Usually they never cared about bags or water filters but GPS or the military compass may interest them as well as solar may stick out. I'm trying to blend as much as I can with the sheep but still giving me a positive edge. The military stuff and the watershed dry bag may start to single me out, so I've been trying to adjust loads and cloths to have everything I need in a carry on, no checked luggage and every thing on me, non magnetic and non field reflective.
Thanks for the advice all and I have much work to do.


Update: Maybe the PSK in the money belt may be a bad idea if they are using the new millimeter wave portal. So much for freedom I guess... At least the PHRASECENSOREDPOSTERSHOULDKNOWBETTER. or should I say the heard loves it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq4388OfZEI

"Over the pond" doesn't narrow things down much. My experience in England, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Costa Rica has been that the security and customs people were honest, courteous, and professional. Perhaps I've been lucky. But my policy is to hide NOTHING. Something innocent and allowable, in a belt or neck wallet, is apt to at least slow you down. EVERYTHING I carry which is along PSK lines is clearly visable in my carry-on.. in clear plastic bags.

IMHO much of the delay and occasional "attitude" around TSA or customs is simply people trying to "see what they can get by with" and hiding things. For instance: I don't know for certain if my BSA ferro rod fire starter is officially ok. Mine is clearly visable, on the zipper of my carry-on daypack, with a photon led light. Never a problem. But I'll bet there would have been a problem if I'd stuffed it in the toe of a shoe or something.

Incidentally, my large toenail clipper (I did break off the pointed file) has been a better cutting tool than as a nail clipper. Cuts paracord easily. And, it'll produce a spark with my BSA ferro rod. Never brought a second glance.

My signal mirror is with my bic razor. Clear plastic bag. Never a question. My paracord is with my duct tape and a small sewing kit (yep..needles..and carpet thread)... clearly visable. I can't imagine them being questioned: they never have. I carry 2-3 rolls of dental floss. Never been asked to prove that they're for oral hygiene rather than tying stuff up!!

I've carried a water filter pump and carbon filter to Costa Rica. No problem. Can't imagine why I'd even consider bringing one to Europe. But again, I don't know where you're going.

Lighters. Just follow the rules as posted on the link to TSA. A couple of books of matches, and a couple of bic lighters, easily travel without question in my carry-on. Generally nestled in a plastic bag with a few cigars or pipe/tobacco... but not hidden.

Medications/first aid products. If they're OTC here, they're probably OTC there. That's not true coming back to the States. But I don't bring anything I haven't SEEN OTC in both directions.

I do carry some prescription medications such as antibiotics, anti-emetics, and pain medications (which I know how and when to use). I DON'T carry them in their original containers. I know... this isn't the common advice. But I put them in tiny plastic bags (found in the beadwork department of my Hobby Lobby)or I carry the bubble-packed physician samples. I have my pharmacist print an extra "travel" copy of the label...and that goes in the bag. Also, I have a one page listing of these prescription drugs on a Physician's letterhead with his signed note that he has prescribed these medications to me (he had no problems doing this..as it was the truth). Nothing "covert": I'm legally entitled to have them under our DEA regulations, I can prove it, and it has never gone past that.

The only time I've ever had trouble is bringing back a blackthorn walking stick I cut myself on a farm in Ireland. Unvarnished and unprocessed. To my great surprise, the Department of Agriculture checkpoint in Newark was of the opinion that I was possibly bringing in some wood-borer or other pest. Confiscated it. Politely, professionally, cordially. However, they thought the Irish Whiskey was harmless and passed it easily. Little did they know what harm that Powers Gold did to me!

If your walking stick had reeked of Irish whiskey, you might not have had a problem. An old friend of my father's always said there wasn't a bug that it couldn't kill.

Sue

There is a reason that whiskey is called the "uisce beatha," "water of life" in Gaelic.

SUE!
"reeked of Irish whiskey"
I'm hurt, Sue. Thats an "aroma" or "perfume..of Irish Whiskey". Please, not reeked. (he says, as he pours another).

That's a very good point.

Coming back from Mexico last week I had a lighter confiscated, the agent told me you are only allowed one per person. I had two stored in my shaving kit. Not a big deal.

I agree with making everything as easy to see and access for the agents as possible. Also, read up on the rules at the TSA web site. Prep work ahead will save you a lot of grief at the airport, eg. liquids in the quart sized plastic bag. The goal is to make the agent's job as easy as possible to examine your stuff.

You may wish to consider simply checking your bag if you are concerned with some items. Carry on the most valuable items and check the rest.

NAro, you've given me a great idea for my set up and thanks. I've had corruption if immigration officials from Philippines to Mexico and now I'm exploring a new little island that is very far from land (Not Hawaii) So it will be island surviving involving several puddle jumpers aircraft to get me there. I am now realizing with the new requirements with carry on will not cut it for my stay duration, so I will have to check a sacrificial clothing bag checked. If TSA wants to steal my underwear then so be it. I also will take your advice upon just throwing all my stuff in the carry on except for money and passport.
Thanks all for the advice, I'm slowly forced to evolve to make the heard happy.