Power tools & checked luggage...

[vi edit]

I've got to fly out tomorrow to do some network installation in Tucson, AZ and I've got a large crate that has all of my power tools and various networking gadets & gizmos in it. I've never had to fly with this stuff before.

My crate is on wheels and has a nice pull handle like many luggage cases do.

I have two questions -

1. How much problem will I have checking this (it only weighs about 40 pounds) - it has a power drill, a couple different hand saws, some ultility knifes, and a bunch of other odds and ends in it.

2. The lid doesn't lock on it really well, so I want to put padlocks on it to prevent it from flying open and spewing the contents all over the place when the baggage handling monkeys play a friendly pickup game of "toss the luggage". Can I check in, check the luggage, open it up and have it searched, and then lock it down?

 

[conjur]

From my home airport, checked luggage goes thru a scanner right at the passenger check-in point. Not sure if it undergoes add'l scrutiny further on but there are signs stating to NOT lock the luggage.

 

[Adul]

might want to leave the knives out. not sure if that is a problem or not.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: conjur
From my home airport, checked luggage goes thru a scanner right at the passenger check-in point. Not sure if it undergoes add'l scrutiny further on but there are signs stating to NOT lock the luggage.

Dammit.

I really, really don't want several hundred $$ worth of tools and equipment to go sprawling across the tarmac when it gets dropped off the back of the baggage cart.

What happens if I take a roll of duct tape with me and tape it up after checking it? It's easier to remove than padlocks, and will help keep it closed up.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Adul
might want to leave the knives out. not sure if that is a problem or not.

The couple $4 utility knives I can keep out and buy once I get down there, but I'd really like to have my $70 leatherman packed in.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Samsonite and other companies make canvas straps with plastic snap-buckles that you can use to help secure your luggage from popping open, yet they're easy to open and replace during baggage searches.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteve
Samsonite and other companies make canvas straps with plastic snap-buckles that you can use to help secure your luggage from popping open, yet they're easy to open and replace during baggage searches.

Bingo!!

 

[HappyPuppy]

In the future you may want to consider shipping your tools in advance with UPS, Fedex, etc. You can specify "Hold for Pickup" at your destination. Might save you some trouble.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteve
Samsonite and other companies make canvas straps with plastic snap-buckles that you can use to help secure your luggage from popping open, yet they're easy to open and replace during baggage searches.

D'oh! Good call.

So simple of a solution...yet...I never even considered it. 😱

/me makes run down the road to Lowes.

Thanks!

 

[BillGates]

Just check all the stuff on as carry on baggage. 🙂

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: BillGates
Just check all the stuff on as carry on baggage. 🙂

Heh. I'm sure they'd love that. A 19v cordless drill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, a couple ream saws, 5000 zip ties, titanium drill bits of assorted sizes, a leatherman, a signal toner, and network shears.

Yeh, that'd "fly" real well. 😛

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: BillGates
Just check all the stuff on as carry on baggage. 🙂

Heh. I'm sure they'd love that. A 19v cordless drill, reciprocating saw, circular saw, a couple ream saws, 5000 zip ties, titanium drill bits of assorted sizes, a leatherman, a signal toner, and network shears.

Yeh, that'd "fly" real well. 😛

The thing that irks me is that those yellow drill bits are always labeled as titanium drill bits, but they're not... 🙁

 

[vi edit]

The thing that irks me is that those yellow drill bits are always labeled as titanium drill bits, but they're not...

It's pretty easy to tell. Titanium weighs about 1/10 what the normal steel bits do. And when you go to cut through stainless steel counters they don't go dull before even cutting through the first counter.

 

[Gunbuster]

Being paranoid, I would take pictures of all the stuff so when the baggage monkeys take some home you can prove it

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

The thing that irks me is that those yellow drill bits are always labeled as titanium drill bits, but they're not...

It's pretty easy to tell. Titanium weighs about 1/10 what the normal steel bits do. And when you go to cut through stainless steel counters they don't go dull before even cutting through the first counter.

Are they really titanium on the inside?

BTW titanium is roughly half the density of steel.

 

[Apathetic]

You may also want to check out the air cargo service of the airline your flying with. You'll have to drop off the crate at a different part of the airport, but they are used to dealing with containers and you shouldn't have any problems. I used to have to travel with about 120 pounds of tools for work (that was 10 years ago, though).

Dave

 

[Savij]

1. Call the airline customer service number and make sure your crate isn't too large. If it's too large ask what your alternatives are.

2 Don't bother locking your case. With the amount of sh!t you've got in there, it's almost certainly going to be opened by TSB. Use the straps as suggested earlier. This way, the TSB people can inspect your stuff w/o having to break a lock.


If your stuff gets examined by the TSB they secure your crate with the straps if possible then place a piece of tape on the lugage to indicate that the contents have been inspected.

If you've got expensive stuff, taking a picture of the stuff that was in there might not be a bad idea...