Flying with electronic gifts

[Omalley]

We are flying to Orlando with electronic gifts DD's. Will TSA requie us to take Kindles out of the original packages? DD's will be flying with us so we don't want to spoil the surprise.

Omalley

 

[bumbershoot]

By original packages, do you mean the boxes they are sent in? Maybe. Maybe not.

Don't wrap anything. If DD is old enough, send her on ahead. If she isn't but you're traveling with more than one adult, send her on ahead with the other adult, tell them you'll meet them at the gate so they just move along.

TSA seems to know what Kindles are and what they look like in the xray machines (DH is a product tester for them and travels with MANY in his carryon), but if you have multiple it might trigger an extra look and a need to see inside the boxes.

 

[Omalley]

Yes, the Kindle boxes will be unwrapped, but to take them out of the manufacturer packaging for an inspection I would have to pull a tab and the box is then obviously opened. This would distract from the presentation when the gift is opened.

If I have to take the sealed Kindle out for TSA inspection, then I would rather take my chances with the postal service.

Thanks.

 

[seashoreCM]

I would think that the postal service is more reliable than the airline.

You can even insure (and should insure) the packages when sent. You cannot insure items you fly with.

Who knows, you might have to gate check a carry-on. However I believe that the airline owes you the honoring of a flat tire rule for another flight if it insists on gate checking items that are not suitably packed as checked baggage or are not supposed to be in checked baggage according to the airline's own large print rules.

 

[CPT Tripss]

May said the TSA agent went through the bag, through the sewing supplies and found the two-inch long pistol.

“She said ‘this is a gun,’” said May. “I said no, it’s not a gun it’s a prop for my monkey.”

“She said ‘If I held it up to your neck, you wouldn’t know if it was real or not,’ and I said ‘really?’” said May.

The TSA agent told May she would have to confiscate the tiny gun and was supposed to call the police.

“I said well go ahead,” said May. “And I said really? You’re kidding me right, and she said no it looks like a gun.”

Really? Make you feel safer?

 

[shoney]

I guess anything is possible, but we've flown many times with kindles and ipads and never once was asked for it to be removed from a bag for inspection.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

.................

Who knows, you might have to gate check a carry-on. However I believe that the airline owes you the honoring of a flat tire rule for another flight if it insists on gate checking items that are not suitably packed as checked baggage or are not supposed to be in checked baggage according to the airline's own large print rules.

The airlines don't set the rules for what can go through security (I believe that's what you mean by an item not supposed to be in carry-on bags).

I don't understand why you think someone would have to take a later flight if they decide to gate check a bag. This happens at the gate; the plane should be right there.

 

[seashoreCM]

.

1. Typical verbiage (not verbatim) from airline brochures: "Do not put valuables and medicines in checked baggage." Also, suppose you are carrying a not too large musical instrument or computer in a cloth case.
2. You get to the boarding door to the jetway and the gate agent says, "I'll have to take your bag for gate checking." Would you turn around and not board that flight? After all, it's unable to accommodate you and your legal size/quantity of carryon bags.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

1. Typical verbiage (not verbatim) from airline brochures: "Do not put valuables and medicines in checked baggage." Also, suppose you are carrying a not too large musical instrument or computer in a cloth case.
2. You get to the boarding door to the jetway and the gate agent says, "I'll have to take your bag for gate checking." Would you turn around and not board that flight? After all, it's unable to accommodate you and your legal size/quantity of carryon bags.

1. Okay, but what does that have to do with the TSA?

2. This happens all the time when the overhead bins are full. Why in the world would anyone chose to take a later flight because of this? If you have anything valuable in your carry-on, you can remove it before gate checking.