Carrying electronics and trains through airport security

[eric220]

Maybe this crap will result in the reintroduction of more passenger trains?  But, then again, terrorists are starting to blow up trains, too, so maybe this TSA mentality is coming to trains, soon, too?

There’s two crucial differences between trains and planes with relation to security.

1. There’s very little advantage to commandeering a rail vehicle. You can only drive it down the tracks, and you can’t make it go somewhere other than where the rails take it. Contrast to an airplane, which can take you anywhere within range, or which can be used as a makeshift missile.

2. If you want to destroy a train, you can do it quite effectively without expensive explosives and exposing yourself to scrutiny at a station or on the vehicle. Just sabotage the track.

Realistically, the major security concern related to passenger rail is attacks on stations. A crowded station is a very attractive target for bio or chem agents, or even just an active shooter.

[RBrodzinsky]

I've had two instances that drew TSA scrutiny.  The first was gunpowder residue on a ball cap (from a firing range).  They were trying out a new sniffer, and clearly had sensitivity set much too high (which they admitted). Was just our "luck" we got picked to go through the experimental machine (turned into an interesting conversation with the agent when he found out my daughter, who was with us, was a "Distinguished Expert" in Light Rifle)

The second was really crazy -- while visiting the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, we bought this really cool can opener.  I had it in my computer bag, and they could not figure out what it was.  I could tell they were having problems, so I volunteered what we had bought.  They pulled it out, and we ended up demonstrating it (this was at security at JFK!). [sorry to say, the can opener worked wonders when new, but then failed]

The best thing, I have found, with lots of world travel when I was working, is to always be friendly, smile, ask how they are doing, and be helpful with any questions.

[mmagliaro]

You might want to print out and carry with you a copy of the main webpage for the meet.
http://railwaymodellersmeetofbc.ca/
If questioned, you can show it and say "I'm Max" and "this is my steam loco model that's a featured attraction at the meet I'm travelling to (or from)."
Maybe put a model railroad magazine, or two, in your carry-on bag, as well.

Yep... already doing all that, including the magazines

[OldEastRR]

Well, as long as you don't look like an Arab or North Korean, you might be able to pass it through TSA. 

[u18b]

Yep... already doing all that, including the magazines

You could also say you're a friend of Ron Bearden's.....

On second thought.... never mind.

 

[Dave V]

Well, as long as you don't look like an Arab or North Korean, you might be able to pass it through TSA. 

This is unhelpful.   

[up1950s]

To see the bomb squad un-assemble it with a fire hose might beat the MTL in a blender video .

[Ike the BN Freak]

TSA Precheck won't help on international flights, you'll need Global Entry. And being its international, you'll need to deal with the security at the gate to leave and then customs at the destination.

[mmagliaro]

TSA Precheck won't help on international flights, you'll need Global Entry. And being its international, you'll need to deal with the security at the gate to leave and then customs at the destination.

Interestingly, when I went last year by train, Canada customs took all of 30 seconds to wave us through.  We arrived very early in the morning and we were the only 2 people in the line.  They looked at our passports, asked a few simple questions (like "Why are you visiting Canada?"), and that was it.  They didn't look in our bags, didn't look at much of anything.  And I had all sorts of tools, wires, sharp things, you name it (I would never have taken that stuff if I had not gone by train.)

I bailed on getting the TSA precheck.  For 80 bucks, they have to do better.   They have essentially made it impossible for me to travel by air unless I transport part of my personal, harmless goods in some other way.   If I still have to go through acrobatics to send my belongings ahead on a trip, even with prepared explanations and documents, their process is a failure.

[PAL_Houston]

I can see the problem. Apparently you can ask the TSA at @AskTSA or Facebook. You could probably forward those same photos and get some option and advice from the source. They have a pretty entertaining web presence. I hope you can find away through; I'm looking forward to the same event in Vancouver.
Geoff

I read thru 3 pages of comments on the original post.  This is the one of 2 that actually made sense to me: contact TSA and seek their advice.  then work the reverse Canada to US problem.  you have plenty of time to work this, now that you've defined the problem.

We all will be interested in the answer, too, I expect.

Personally I've never had any issues with TSA, and am kind of hap-hazard with what I pack or carry on, but I invested in TSA-pre, and I don't typically (or ever?  well, only once) include home-built electronics......

( Dave Vollmer's post was also on the mark, I thought...)

[peteski]

I read thru 3 pages of comments on the original post.  This is the one of 2 that actually made sense to me: contact TSA and seek their advice.  then work the reverse Canada to US problem.  you have plenty of time to work this, now that you've defined the problem.

We all will be interested in the answer, too, I expect.

Personally I've never had any issues with TSA, and am kind of hap-hazard with what I pack or carry on, but I invested in TSA-pre, and I don't typically (or ever?  well, only once) include home-built electronics......

But did your home-built electronics look like a time-bomb with a digital display?   
Even if he contacts TSA and gets blessing from them, will the local TSA person at the airport share the same opinion about Max's device?  Just like with every professions, each person acts and thinks differently.  I wouldn't risk it.

[fhmac]

Yup! And I recall being stopped and questioned whilst traveling to a highland competition about my set of bagpipes. Seems TSA thought the bagpipes were dynamite sticks. http://www.bpsd.eu/wp-content/plugins/shop/products_images/16-3-bagpiper-flight-case-lrg.jpg

[mmagliaro]

I did contact tsa through that @asktsa thing.  I got a non-committal reply saying I don't need any special preparations or paperwork to take electronics through security.  Just to keep it out separate and explain what it is in advance before going through.  They then dodged all responsibility by saying, "And of course, it is ultimately up to the particular agent" whether something will be permitted.

So no, asking them doesn't get me any sort of advance check or permission.

[peteski]

I did contact tsa through that @asktsa thing.  I got a non-committal reply saying I don't need any special preparations or paperwork to take electronics through security.  Just to keep it out separate and explain what it is in advance before going through.  They then dodged all responsibility by saying, "And of course, it is ultimately up to the particular agent" whether something will be permitted.

So no, asking them doesn't get me any sort of advance check or permission.

Exactly!
I didn't expect any warm-and-fuzzies from them.
Just ship the damn time-bomb-looking thingie!    

[eric220]

Eh, just coat it in nails to block the X-ray and wrap it up in electrical tape. You’ll be fine.