Air travel questions

[lrrifleman]

Greetings!

It has been a long time (almost 30 years) since I flew commercially, and I didn't have to deal with the TSA or a lot of the current issues. However, it looks like I will be flying to Indianapolis this summer in order to work the NRA National Matches, and as such, I now have a mess of questions.

Body concerns: I have had my implant card since the orthopedic surgeon had to add some parts, but I was wondering, will I have any issues getting through the checkpoints with my knee brace?

Luggage concerns. I really don't plan on traveling with any firearms, so that reduces that concern. However, because of the batteries, can I expect to have any issues with my tablet, cell phone, or laptop if taken on board as either carry-on luggage or checked luggage? I also know that I can't board with my traditional pocket knife, but would I be able to include it in my checked luggage? My medications will be packed in their original bottles within my checked luggage.

Concerning the luggage, if I use the factory installed locks that are on the luggage, can I expect any problems with the TSA?

Sorry for the questions, but I last flew circa 1992, and the world has changed!

As always, thanks in advance for your help!

 

[326MOD10]

Just make sure the electronics are off or in airplane mode. You should be able to carry them on but will need to take them out of case and run through scanner.

I just got back from a flight and I took my meds in a daily pill carrier in my carry on. Assuming they are not liquids, I had no issues. I do this in case my luggage gets mis-directed because I need my meds.

I don't lock my luggage because if they need to open it they will.

I bought a Swiss Army knife from the factory and brought it back in my checked bag with no issues from overseas.

As far as knee brace goes I am not sure but I know those that can't go through the machine get personal attention when going through.

 

[LVSteve]

First question, do you have one of the new, Real ID driving licenses? You will be OK this year, but after 7 May 2025, you need a Real ID license or a passport to get through security. I post this as a PSA.

Yes, you can put your pocket knife in a checked bag. Yes, your knee brace will set off the scanners, and you will likely get an extra wanding and a feel up. Cell phones, laptops, and tablets should be in your carry on luggage for security. I think there is something about lithium batteries, too, but you might want to check on that. I would also advise putting your meds in a carry-on. You may go to Indy, but your luggage could go to Bangkok.

Factory installed locks on your luggage will not be a problem for TSA. If they want in, they'll just break them. Welcome to the world post 9/11.

 

[fordson]

Wife and I fly several times a year, and at least once a year internationally. We just returned from an international flight with domestic connections two weeks ago. Since we fly often, we have the TSA Pre-Check and the Global Entry which makes the process easier. This is our experience:

Body concerns : The TSA security checks are a pain but necessary. Be prepared to remove your shoes, belt and watch. These will be placed in a bin for scanning. I wear a non-metallic shoulder brace and wrist brace. Both of those had to be removed in order to pass the body scanner. Since you have an orthopedic card, present that prior to any body scan.

Luggage : Good thing you are not traveling with any firearms, because that adds another degree of complexity, not impossible just a little more complex. iPads, phones and any electronic device will need to be removed from your carry on luggage and placed in a bin to be scanned, separate from your carry on luggage, which also will be scanned. Any thing you place in your checked baggage (except for firearms) should be ok and pass thru without any issues. We travel with a lot of camera equipment, packed in a separate backpack. Normally, that doesn’t create a problem. However, once or twice it did, setting off alarms that got the TSA staff to go to General Quarters. No real issues there, just another funny travel story.

Hope this helps, any more questions, just ask or PM me. Have a good and safe flight.

 

[Doug M.]

Lock your suitcase and open it as needed for TSA.

That is such a short trip I would not fly.

 

[Onomea]

I wear a knee brace. My experience is that TSA wants to see and feel it. So you might consider shorts.

Recently I have taken to wearing what I guess are called convertible pants, meaning that there is a zip around the knee so that the lower leg can be taken off. Travelers and hikers like this, I think. I find the style convenient for going through TSA checkpoints. They ask me to sit in a chair and show them the brace. I suppose if you have pants legs wide enough to pull over the brace, that would work, too. Or shorts, like I said.

I also have artificial knees, one partial (now with the brace) and one full. When I tell TSA this they at times direct me to one scanning machine over another.

I think if you need to lower your pants to get to the brace they'll take you off to a nearby room for some privacy.

The airport experience is not much fun, with going through the often quite long TSA security check lines probably the least fun part. Best give yourself plenty of time so as not to be stressed by worrying if you have enough time to make your plane.

 

[LVSteve]

Lock your suitcase and open it as needed for TSA.

That is such a short trip I would not fly.

How does that work? The way I understand it is as follows.

Your checked bag gets taken away by the airline. If in the luggage bowels of the airport a TSA guy decides he wants to look, they are either going through the non-TSA locks or they will have to come get you. In the interests of PR, it is likely to be the latter. However, if this leads to you being delayed to the degree of missing your flight, expect no sympathy from TSA, and not a whole lot from the airline. You might even get stung with a charge for "your" change of flight.

 

[ladder13]

Lithium batteries are a no no in checked bags, as a potential non accessible fire hazard. Still want an EV?

We have TSA approved locks, no need for them to cut anything. They can access the checked bags easily.

Might be too late to get TSA Pre Check that helps you beat the long lines….usually.

Keep any meds in your carry on. A couple in our tour group had their bags “delayed” , ie lost, for 3 days.

 

[Onomea]

I use zip ties at times if I am concerned the zippers might unzip and contents spill out.

 

[Faulkner]

Just so you not surprised any more than necessary, they have taken ALL the fun out of commercial air travel since 911.

For me, if I can drive it in 8 to 10 hours, I drive.

 

[ladder13]

You can take liquids in your carry on but you are limited to 3oz per liquid. Pharmacies sell travel sizes just for that.
If you try to bring more it will get tossed.
You can put any other liquids in checked bags.

 

[lrrifleman]

Adding to clarify:

Currently, we are a one vehicle family, and my son has football practice this year. Flying is actually cheaper than renting a car for one way trips out and back.

I honestly don't know if my tablet, laptop, or cell phone have lithium ion batteries, would these devices be marked?

Can I presume meds have to be in their original container? If so, is there a size limit on carry on baggage?

More questions will probably arise!

 

[Tom S.]

Any device with lithium batteries will have to either be on your person or in your carry on. That includes phone, laptop, tablet, smart watch, hearing aids (rechargeable type), camera, flashlight (rechargeable type) cordless toothbrush and anything else that is 'rechargeable'.

As suggested, carry any needed medication in your carryon as well. If you use medical equipment such as a CPAP, you can carry that separate and it is not considered part of your carry on items, nor can you be charged for it. TSA pre-check is nice but unless you plan on traveling often, pricey for just one or two trips.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Lithium batteries are a no no in checked bags, as a potential non accessible fire hazard. Still want an EV? . . .

E’erbody that I know of puts Apple AirTags in their checked bags to track them. They use CR2032 lithium batteries. Form over function . . .

 

[Muss Muggins]

There’s a top limit to the amount of lithium allowed in checked bags. I flew to Europe and back last April with Apple Airtags, CR2032, in my checked bags. My daughter flew to Europe, all over Europe, and back to the US in the same condition . . .

The only thing anyone ever got cranky about was my Cold Steel Blackthorne Walking Stick, and that was on the return trip, in Chicago. We had a discussion . . .

Any device with lithium batteries will have to either be on your person or in your carry on. That includes phone, laptop, tablet, smart watch, hearing aids (rechargeable type), camera, flashlight (rechargeable type) cordless toothbrush and anything else that is 'rechargeable'.

As suggested, carry any needed medication in your carryon as well. If you use medical equipment such as a CPAP, you can carry that separate and it is not considered part of your carry on items, nor can you be charged for it. TSA pre-check is nice but unless you plan on traveling often, pricey for just one or two trips.

 

[ladder13]

E’erbody that I know of puts Apple AirTags in their checked bags to track them. They use CR2032 lithium batteries. Form over function . . .

I put air tags on all my luggage as well. I don’t think they consider them as hazardous as a laptop or similar battery.

 

[LVSteve]

Can I presume meds have to be in their original container? If so, is there a size limit on carry on baggage?

More questions will probably arise!

Carry on baggage size varies from airline to airline. A typical size is 20"x16"x10" is a typical size IIRC. Depending on the airline you may be allowed a carry on bag and a "personal item". Typically, that might be a laptop, or something else that can go under the seat in front of you.

 

[lrrifleman]

So, it looks like that if my cell phone, tablet, laptop, and a power bank are in my carry on, I should be good?

My cpap can be carried on, but doesn't get considered as carry on baggage?

Would I encounter any issues with a solid wood cane?

Thanks!

 

[ladder13]

So, it looks like that if my cell phone, tablet, laptop, and a power bank are in my carry on, I should be good?

My cpap can be carried on, but doesn't get considered as carry on baggage?

Would I encounter any issues with a solid wood cane?

Thanks!

Most airlines ( except the cheapie ones I’ll never fly) are accommodating. Call them in advance with your concerns.

What airlines are you using?

 

[LVSteve]

Most airlines ( except the cheapie ones I’ll never fly) are accommodating. Call them in advance with your concerns.

What airlines are you using?

This is important when it comes to seat space. I can guarantee that legroom in coach today is way less than it was in 1992. NJ to Indy is not a long flight, but how flexible is the OP's knee?