I respectfully disagree with speedblu. I just came back from the Bahamas and took my Excalibur with me. My flight originated from Portland, Oregon. I probably had to go through TSA checkpoints 8 times between Portland and the Bahamas and back. Had my Excalibur broken down in my carry on and my sand scoop in four pieces, built it that way, also in the carry on. Never had anyone inspect the carry on. It just went through the x-ray and into my hands. A couple of time they unzipped the carry on and swabbed it with a cloth to check for nitrates from gunpowder. They never even asked me what was in it.
I carried the disassembled Excal shaft in a long slender bag with two stunt kites. They asked about that every time but never looked into it. I took a small jar of peanut butter and stuffed it inside my sand scoop. They saw that and confiscated it. They weren't worried about the scoop or the detector but saw the peanut butter container inside the metal scoop. Can't carry more than 3oz of liquid....or cream, or paste, or anything that is not a solid. I took them literally for liquid meaning liquid. They weren't nasty about it. Just realized it was an honest mistake.
I don't think they will let you carry a totally assembled sand scoop. Just a WAG about that. It could be used as a weapon like a baseball bat or something. Until you have tried to pack your shaft into something, I have the original shaft, you'll find that it is pretty long and may not fit any luggage you have. Check on that long before you leave so you can find something else.
Have a nice trip and let us know what you find. Regards...Jim.
