Awhile ago, someone said you shouldn't bring a GPS with you on an airliner. Is that something that they don't allow, or is it something that is likely to put you in a risk group for "special treatment"? I've got long hair and a long beard, so I'm probably already at high risk for "special treatment". So I figure what's the harm, but I'd hate to have it confiscated! It's not mentioned on TSA's PDF of disallowed or allowed items.

The reason I ask is that I'm going to Jackson, WY for a snowboarding trip next week. I plan to take a mountain flying lesson while I'm there so I'll have confidence to fly myself next time. But I really prefer not to fly without my GPS, so I'd like to bring it with. And they also say don't put valuables in your checked luggage, and a Garmin 296 is definitely a valuable.

GoatRider, the TSA can declare any item, even one on their list of approved items, to be contraband and
simply confiscated it. Lots of stories of this happening.

As suggested in another thread, you oughta consider FedExing the GPS and anything else of value to
your destination, and FedExing it back home before you leave. It's the only way to be sure that it
arrives and you're not hassled because you have it.

So take a cheap GPS with you, the TSA only steal, I mean confiscate the best quality items.
Dave

But then he's stuck using a cheap GPS just because of the TSA.

I do the ship it ahead thing exclusively now. No more worries about what
will or won't make it through.

YMMV, but why take the chance? If cost is an issue, plan ahead a little and use
the two or three day options.

(I'm not using the term FedEx generically... I won't mention any other names, but
I've tried 'em all and had everything from no package to crushed package too often
to be anything other than (1) It's personal or (2) it's common. :-)

One of my co-workers has a side business and she fly's once or twice a month to shows. Every shipping company has screwed up at least once. The last time cost her over
$3,000.00 in lost inventory, etc. It's a real crap shoot shipping.
Dave

I think I'm just going to leave it home. I can fly pilotage easy enough.

True, EVERY company can screw up. I sent a Christmas gift to Canada on Dec. 13 via UPS ... no problem, they said.

It arrived today, Jan. 27.