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