Airlines' policy on RC equipment?

[CaptainNemo12]

Hi guys,

I'm planning to make a trip across the border to Chicago this weekend and I thought about bringing some of my boats over. I'm thinking about putting my RC stuff (transmitter, batteries, etc) on a carry-on baggage. This is my first time transporting RC equipment by air... do airlines have a certain policy regarding radio equipment of this sort? I imagine since everything is FCC legal, there shouldn't be any problems.

Anybody want to share their experiences?

[bluesy]

Hey Capn...........

About 4 years ago I was working in the US and had some RC equipment I wanted to take with me from LA to Chicago. It was in my checked luggage and guess what!!!!!!!!

There were security people waiting for me in Chicago who were none too pleased with a "foreigner" travelling on a one-way ticket whose luggage (when X-rayed showed the stick pack batteries as very suspicious. And they weren't very impressed with the transmitter and receiver either. All was explained but their suggestion was that I ship the RC equipment by courier the next time I wanted to move it around the US. Needless to say, on my next trip back to Canada I shipped it home.

That said, I could understand why this was causing a problem as I was working in downtown Manhattan on Sept 11. but that's another story......

doug in Victoria....

[smart_racer]

I would contact the airlines reguarding their policy

[toesup]

As with carrying anything 'out of the ordinary' on comercial aircraft ALWAYS contact the airline first and explain what you wish to do.. If they know what to expect, most airlines will bend over backwards to help.
I've flown with Fishing poles, Cycles, and some VERY expensive photographic equipment and having warned / asked the airline first, they were more than helpfull.

Be it electrical, models, photographic, etc.. always try to get it on board as a 'hand' luggage rather than checked (in to the hold) so you can keep it with you.
Some, if not most airlines, will only cover insurance costs up to a certain value if it gets lost, stolen or damaged.. and if you have seen how those baggage handlers throw luggage about, just think of your nice scale boat getting the same treatment.. :eek::censored::eek:

If in doubt ASK... and if you are still unsure, get it shipped!.

[Ghost 2501]

As with carrying anything 'out of the ordinary' on comercial aircraft ALWAYS contact the airline first and explain what you wish to do.. If they know what to expect, most airlines will bend over backwards to help.
I've flown with Fishing poles, Cycles, and some VERY expensive photographic equipment and having warned / asked the airline first, they were more than helpfull.

Be it electrical, models, photographic, etc.. always try to get it on board as a 'hand' luggage rather than checked (in to the hold) so you can keep it with you.
Some, if not most airlines, will only cover insurance costs up to a certain value if it gets lost, stolen or damaged.. and if you have seen how those baggage handlers throw luggage about, just think of your nice scale boat getting the same treatment.. :eek::censored::eek:

If in doubt ASK... and if you are still unsure, get it shipped!.

hence your packing case best being made of 1/2" pine, loaded with polystyrene with little room for your model to move. the words "FRAGILE" often mean "Drop-kick me down the warehouse to see who can kick me the furthest!" so make sure that only a Fork-lift truck can lift your model! lol

[Captbill]

hence your packing case best being made of 1/2" pine, loaded with polystyrene with little room for your model to move. the words "FRAGILE" often mean "Drop-kick me down the warehouse to see who can kick me the furthest!" so make sure that only a Fork-lift truck can lift your model! lol


I had a buddy that worked at shall we say, "Brown Truck" delivery courier many years back and he was in the warehouse...the words fragile sometimes did get the very reaction above at the Christmas rush...he always told me, if you want them to really care for a package to put BIOHAZARD labels on it. :D :eek: :D

(I don't think I'd do that--but it's funny).

[green-boat]

Contact the airlines and REMOVE THE BATTERIES. They don't like seeing batteries in equipment, it makes them suspicious.

[CaptainNemo12]

Thanks guys,

I'll do just that. One thing, would it help if I keep the transmitter in its original packaging? I just happen to still have the Tower Hobbies receipt that came with the order just in case they might ask.

P.S: I also contacted the airline, they said it should be fine :cool: .

[green-boat]

The airline says one thing but don't forget that you've got to get thru security. :eek:

[CaptainNemo12]

With all the security hubbubs these days, should I keep my batteries in checked-in luggage? Any chance that they'll be removed?

[steveciambrone]

R/C equipment is not on the banned list so it is legal to bring aboard as checked or carry on. Take it as you like, but if questioned answer honestly and explain what it is. Most cases they do not ask.

The last time I went to Singapore was with a GPS unit and a regular sump pump in my checked luggage and did not get questioned. I was thinking I would have.
Batteries do not matter either, anyone on vacation is going to bring spare batteries for something. All the consumer electrics have batteries.

Thanks
Steve

[420TEE]

Captbill-Years ago one of the guys I worked with put yellow tape with the radioactive red symbol on it all over the bumpers of his company car to keep low life from breaking into it. He started to drive across The George Washington Bridge in NYC. You never saw so many police cars. This was long before 9/11. He'd probably get shot today. :)

[Ghost 2501]

Thanks guys,

I'll do just that. One thing, would it help if I keep the transmitter in its original packaging? I just happen to still have the Tower Hobbies receipt that came with the order just in case they might ask.

P.S: I also contacted the airline, they said it should be fine :cool: .

worth a try, however best thing is, as its nothing suspicious and dangerous, pack it in its transit case, make sure the model has PLENTY of protection around it in its case, and send it on its way, i think Airline security have the intelligence to fathom out that a battery in a model boat isnt a security risk! if your case has a transparent front piece, they will see that it is a mere model boat!

just make sure that the battery is in a safe condition and not likely to cause a spark, disconect it from the esc's and take them out of the boat if you cant get the battery out of the model.

like steve cambone said, RC stuff is not on the banned list so its safe and legal to carry.

[green-boat]

A couple of years ago I took my metal detector as carry on. They made me take the batteries out and totally disassemble it. :( :(

[Ghost 2501]

a model boat with just a battery in it and a motor, no other electrical gear, im sure that would be ok. although a shipping would still be better

[Deestingray]

I haven't had any dramas in Australia, they seem to be pretty cool about it once they know what it is for. When I transport my Riviera, it is all together, I don't split anything up so that it is pretty plain to see that it is an RC Boat.
I think the thing about the batteries is that they don't want the transmitter accidentally being turned on so in order to stop that, I always remove my batteries.