Traveling with Pin Collections

[arlenerose]

We have our pins in a large shoulder display bag.[heavy] We really don't want it to be checked with the luggage under the plane. Has anyone had experience taking a pin collection [100's] as carry-on bag through airport scanners and hand search. You know, sharp pointy objects, etc. Is it permitted. I would rather keep it from possibly getting lost with baggage.

It will be JFK-MCO. Are they more familiar with pin collectors?

Arlene

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

Over the last year, this question has come up many times on this board. Members have reported their experiences in airports all around the country.

I do not believe a single person has ever had their pins deemed "dangerous" and confiscated.

I think one or two people have had isolated problems where the pinbags were searched very slowly and carefully, but with no final adverse effect. (Though I understand that the Epcot Event Gift Pin Display looked like a knife on some scanner at MCO! This did cause some trouble....but it was probably because our DIS pinpal thought the extra attention was some kind of subtle trade come on. )

In my own experience, my laptop has generated more trouble than all my pins.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We have had six trips in the last 12 months. JudySue's pin case (Samsonite rolling carryon) has over 30 pounds of pins. Not only have we had no problems at airports (we have used Dulles and Orlando five times deach, and Baltimore and Tampa once each), but on the last trip the Dulles Security Supervisor recognized JudySue and we all had an interesting conversation about collectibles while one of the staff was examinning her carryon.

 

[Mickey527]

Bradley Airport in Hartford is great when I put my pins through. I always tell them that it will not clear. They look through my bag and always show such interest, asking where I get the pins, how I trade, etc. It seems like more and more of them come over, holding up the rest of the travelers while they look at my pins. I lose more of the NY MIckey Policemen pins at the airport than anywhere else, because I give them away to the airportsecurity guards.They always say I have a great collection even though I try and explain that these are traders. But it used to be the Mickey President's day, I gave 4 of them away one trip.
Orlando is another story. They are bored looking through the pins and don't talk at all. Guess it does get hard for them.
Peggie

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Security at Richmond International Airport was VERY thorough when we flew from there for the Pin Celebration. The security agent spent a good 5 minutes checking every pin bag in our carry-on. Security here had just recently become federalized, so that may have been one reason for the thoroughness. No problems -- a few jokes about us being obsessed and we were clear.

Besides, it would be hard for airport security to not allow a passenger to bring their pin collection on board in their carry-on. Many airports have lapel pins for sale in gift shops in the secure areas. Charlotte, NC (at their Disney Store, no less) and the Disney store on the Delta concourse in Orlando are two that come to mind.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

On my last 2 trips, no problems at all on the way down--departing once from Manchester NH and once from Boston MA. On the return trip through Orlando, my children and I were stopped once coming through and our bags searched thoroughly. On my solo trip through, they examined my luggage closely through the monitor, but did not further inspect it. I have one of the 'back pack' books; my kids each have the large sized bags from the Disney Catalog.

BK

 

[Luv2Roam]

I have yet to even have to open my large carry-on pin bag at Omaha, MCO, or OHare.
I just look so darn honest.

 

[3kids4me]

Hey, it could be worse. You could be a hypodermic needle collector....