Airlines lax on fly gear carry on

[Wiggley1]

I just round tripped from Oregon to Utah with my fly gear. I took rod in Sage tube for a 4 piece, 1 box of flies, reel with line, 5 inch hemo's and my boots and waders.

I love being able to carry on my gear and not worry a bout it in the belly of the plane.
http://www.utahonthefly.com/forums/images/misc/progress.gif

[AndyK]

Sounds like you were able to get your reel loaded with line and your flies past airport security. Other travelers have stated they had to strip the line from their reels and discard or check their flies.

What was the difference? Are some airport security personnel too strict?

For myself, I don't want to go through the problem of arguing with security personnel, especially since I will probably lose. I plan on carrying my rods on the plane and checking my reels and flies.

[gimmeumpqua]

The TSA website ENCOURAGES you to take "expensive reels and flies on board with you in your carry on luggage" Which is exactly what I'll be doing, with a copy of their regs in hand on my way to Mexico on thursday.

Kurt

[Thunnus]

Each airport has it own rules for security. I used to travel quite a bit, I used to be that I could get my money clip past Portland TSA, but would have it confiscated in San Diego. I also used to seem that some smaller airports were more secure than bigger ones.

[AndyK]

This was on another thread http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?p=1466916#post1466916 :

A WORD OF CAUTION. FLY'S, AND FLYLINES WILL NOT PASS AIRPORT SECURITY AND ARE NOT ALLOWED ON A DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN FLIGHT. JUST RECEIVED NOTICE FROM A FRIEND THAT COULD NOT RECOVER HIS LUGGAGE. HAD TO STIP THE LINE OFF HIS REELS AND DUMP HIS FLY'S IN DALLAS ON HIS WAY TO BELIZE.

Is it worth the risk?

[Mojo]

I called Alaska Airlines, and they advised me to carry on my reels and rods, but to check my flies, because "they have very sharp points". I would call your carrier and make sure. I checked the TSA site, and got nothing. Alaska said there is nothing in the rules about fishing lines of any kind.

[Wiggley1]

Typical govornment organization (TSA) Can't figure out how to read the instructions and follow them. I fly monthly and have seen TSA lighten up. I was told to carry the reg with me to show them. I flew from PDX to SLC and back to fish the Provo and had no problems with my Sage rod tube, reel with line, 1 fly box and 6 inch hemo's. I did have to empty my flask, wow, what a buzz I had on that flight.

[fishncliff]

Just checked with my wife ( a TSA officer, and lead person) ,and she said there is no rules for fishing lines or flies. The TSA people who made people strip their reels were out of line.:laugh:
But seriously. If you encounter something like this, ask for a supervisor. It is no hassle. ALL airports have the same rules, period, The government calls them STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES(SOP'S).However, They do not have the same people running the joint. There are some officers who make up their own rules.:shrug:

Always ask for a supervisor when things like this happen. Putting flies and hemostats in checked baggagee, not a bad idea. Prevents them going through your bags for no good reason.
Rods and reels I would keep with you.

I was a TSA officer and I witnessed things like this. I had officers try to tell me to confiscate things or search bags because "they said so". I whipped out the book of rules(SOP"S) and proved them wrong and reported them to superiors.:redface: Some of those folks are still there and I am not.
Alas, I was low seniority when they decided they didn't need so many officers.
My wife and brother are officers and can answer any questions.

[Mojo]

Thanks for clearing that up.

Gimmeeumpqua, can you post a link to that reg that encourages taking those items on board? Thanks.

[Flying Roast Beef]

I flew to Wenatchee with my fly rods. On the trip to Seattle the ladies let me put my rods in the lavatory. From Seattle to Wenatchee the "&*%$#@#@:" made me lay my rod on the floor next to my seat for the idiot behind me to step on every chance he had. I finaly stood up and told him to knock it off. He played ignorant. He was just a butt. He did stop though. Flying with outdoor gear sucks.

[gimmeumpqua]

Here yo go....


http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1188.shtm

Kurt

[Mojo]

Awesome, thanks Kurt.

[gimmeumpqua]

Well, I'm sitting in the Eugene airport on my way to Mexico, and they thouroughly searched my bag....looked at the flies, I showed them the regs, they said no problem.However, they found a pocket knife that was tucked away in some pocket I forgot to look in....they let me mail it home from the gift shop. Actually was quite glad they found it....the system does work on that level at least. Wish me luck with those roosters!

Kurt

[Mojo]

I'm jealous Kurt! Kick some rooster fin, and post pics immediately upon returning. :smash:

Have a safe and fun trip.

[Dr Strangelove]

I recently got back from Arizona and emptied my camera bag looking for something and found an unfired 20ga shotgun shell deep in the storage pocket that must have fallen in from a hunting trip. Talk about the hastle that could've caused...but at least two X-ray examiners failed to note it among my camera gear. I don't know how many trips I've taken since it could have been in there. I think they get a little glazed looking at all those bags.`

[Wiggley1]

Silly me to think that TSA would and should be who sets rules for security at airports. What an administrator knows about security or how an administrator can change or dictate what or how the ominous government agency, TSA works is mind boggling. Although looking at TSA employees, the highest paid person at any airport is the Manager, who makes about $14.50. All else make less, like $9.00, so no wonder there are problems and things missed. I would assume that a set guideline could be constructed and administered to every single TSA agent. Of which, there would be zero deviation from airport administrators or anyone else. Now every single airport in the country works the same and we civilians can travel more easily.