TSA question -

[tjmw2727]

Ok I think there is a TSA agent who posts here occasionally ~

My question is about carry-on bags and figure skates.

My dd's are competitive skaters and we have had no issues in the past taking the skates in our carry on bag. However, I can no longer find the page on the TSA website where it indicates they are ok to carry on. I also can't find anything that says they can not be carried on !

Our competition season is gearing up in November and I have a few friends going out to Colorado in a couple weeks so the info would be very helpful.

FWIW it isn't a cost issue about checking bags these skates are invaluable to the skaters at competition. If they were to get "misdirected" it would be a huge problem.

Gate checking the skates would be fine with us as well - as long as we know they are on the same flight we are

TIA

 

[sam_gordon]

Ok I think there is a TSA agent who posts here occasionally ~

My question is about carry-on bags and figure skates.

My dd's are competitive skaters and we have had no issues in the past taking the skates in our carry on bag. However, I can no longer find the page on the TSA website where it indicates they are ok to carry on. I also can't find anything that says they can not be carried on !

Our competition season is gearing up in November and I have a few friends going out to Colorado in a couple weeks so the info would be very helpful.

FWIW it isn't a cost issue about checking bags these skates are invaluable to the skaters at competition. If they were to get "misdirected" it would be a huge problem.

Gate checking the skates would be fine with us as well - as long as we know they are on the same flight we are

TIA

That's a good question. I don't remember a TSA agent posting here, but there are some that are pretty smart about the requirements. However, short of official written word somewhere that you can take with you, you might get an "overzealous" agent who doesn't know the rules.

That being said, is shipping the skates (Fed Ex or UPS for tracking info) an option?

 

[Jestocost]

Ok I think there is a TSA agent who posts here occasionally ~

My question is about carry-on bags and figure skates.

My dd's are competitive skaters and we have had no issues in the past taking the skates in our carry on bag. However, I can no longer find the page on the TSA website where it indicates they are ok to carry on. I also can't find anything that says they can not be carried on !

Our competition season is gearing up in November and I have a few friends going out to Colorado in a couple weeks so the info would be very helpful.

FWIW it isn't a cost issue about checking bags these skates are invaluable to the skaters at competition. If they were to get "misdirected" it would be a huge problem.

Gate checking the skates would be fine with us as well - as long as we know they are on the same flight we are

TIA

As far as I know, the TSA has a "prohibited" list, but not a "permitted" list. Skates are not on the prohibited list, so they should be allowed. I believe at one time they were on the prohibited list, FWIW. Check some skating forums online or flyertalk.

That said, skates are just the kind of item that some TSA agent could decide are prohibited and give you a hassle about it. You just never know.

 

[tjmw2727]

That's a good question. I don't remember a TSA agent posting here, but there are some that are pretty smart about the requirements. However, short of official written word somewhere that you can take with you, you might get an "overzealous" agent who doesn't know the rules.

That being said, is shipping the skates (Fed Ex or UPS for tracking info) an option?

Thanks but no, shipping is not an option as they skate every day and the days prior to competition are manditory!

I found the a TSA page with info on sporting equipment and a picture of assorted sports equipment including a figure skate but the wording has changed since I last looked and printed it. All the other equipment in the picture is approved but skates are not clearly stated one way or the other in the list.

 

[tjmw2727]

As far as I know, the TSA has a "prohibited" list, but not a "permitted" list. Skates are not on the prohibited list, so they should be allowed. I believe at one time they were on the prohibited list, FWIW. Check some skating forums online or flyertalk.

That said, skates are just the kind of item that some TSA agent could decide are prohibited and give you a hassle about it. You just never know.

Good to know - thanks! I will check those forums too.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Ice skates are permitted through security:

http://www.syracusespeedskating.org/documents/tsa_airline_skate_guidance.pdf

 

[tjmw2727]

Ice skates are permitted through security:

http://www.syracusespeedskating.org/documents/tsa_airline_skate_guidance.pdf

Exactly what I needed - thank you so much !!

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

As a fan I see at least two or three stories a year where the skater is in a panic because the skates were delayed

My suggestions.

1. Print out the info you got above. Be prepared you are probably going to train your TSA agent
2. Arrive early.
3. When they say no and won't look at your printout ask for a supervisor (this can take a while. I think it is a trick to get you to give up)
4. And you may still lose and have to check so be prepared.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes this is exactly what we do - I just hadn't found the right page on the TSA website.
We also allow lots of extra time in case we have to backtrack and check the skates.

We have had skaters who's skates did not arrive with the rest of their bags

FWIW over the past several years we not had an issue with TSA when carrying on the skates but I travel at least once a month (without skates!) and I like to be prepared, you just never know!

The advice on the link above about keeping the carryon bag free of clutter is excellent advice IMHO for any carryon bag.

As a fan I see at least two or three stories a year where the skater is in a panic because the skates were delayed

My suggestions.

1. Print out the info you got above. Be prepared you are probably going to train your TSA agent
2. Arrive early.
3. When they say no and won't look at your printout ask for a supervisor (this can take a while. I think it is a trick to get you to give up)
4. And you may still lose and have to check so be prepared.

 

[Carriemel]

Hi-ho. I think I'm the TSA officer that the OP mentioned in her post.

Sorry to be late to the party. Every time I wanted to post something, I got distracted.

Anyway, yeah, as a previous poster said, skates are allowed through the checkpoint. However, extra blades would not be allowed.

And as a previous poster said, as well as what is mentioned in the link, do keep the bag the skates reside in clutter free. It may help the officer on the x-ray see that there is nothing prohibited in your bag.

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks everyone !

 

[leebee]

We go through the same thing with DD's pointe shoes and accessories. She HAS to have them for auditions, performances, and competitions. As with the skates, checking them in a bag or shipping them are not preferable; if she doesn't have HER shoes, she's out! Several brands of shoes are made with an elastomeric product, rather than paste and muslin, and they often raise questions at the x-ray scanners. What we always question is the toe pads and spacers. They are a gel-like material, and nobody is sure whether they will clear TSA or not. Pointe shoes without the appropriate toe protection are "pointeless" (pun intended!). I know dancers who wear their toe protection under their socks, or carry it in their pockets, to get through security. Nobody I know has been able to get a clear answer to the toe pad issue.

Then there's the rosin. It's a whitish/yellowish rock, but to use it you either crush/grind it, or buy it ground. Ballerinas dip the tips of their shoes in it to keep from slipping on stage. Most dancers carry their rosin in a ziplock bag in their dance bag. You can imagine how much fun security had with THAT baggie of finely ground whitish powder!

 

[DOREEN1779]

I would call the TSA directly and have them e-mail you the information. Even though it is allowed, printing out the info directly from the TSA might give you some piece of mind if you have a problem with a rougue TSA agent.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

By the, forgot to wish your skater Good Luck. I LOVE figure skating and know it is a huge family commitment. Hope this season meets all your goals!