Travelling with metal detectors

[Doug Lenik]

I've been beach detecting for several years in local lakes and the Jersey shore. This march I will be flying to Miami for A week. I will be taking
an Excalibur 1000, and a Whites PI Pro. Any advice about airport security, packing my detectors, or any other help will be greatly
appreciated. This is my first time flying with my detectors and I don't want any surprises. Thanks for any help Doug from PA.

 

[WWII DR]

DOUG,When i fly to Hawaii i break my machine down and pack the shaft and batteries in the check luggage. I carryon the coil and electronics. Have not had any problems and i rest alot better knowing the electronics are not being subjected to the rough baggage handling. I also pack my sand scoop in the checked luggage.

 

[Wet and Dry]

I just did 3 weeks in California, from Canada. Packed both my BHID and sand scope in my luggage.( no carry on) . In the luggage in print a letter to Airport Security Stating that its an metal detector made by Whites in Oregon gave an email address.Thank them for protecting all passengers. Sealed my luggage with wire tries (plastic zip thinks you can't undo) plus a few extras so they can reseal my luggage. I did NOT ship Batteries with M/D. No problems at all. I hope you have a good trip.

 

[bdahunter]

My Excal has been to Michigan from Bermuda and to Mexico twice from Bermuda (connections via Miami), always in checked baggage. No Problem.
No problem with my big, travel scoop in checked baggage. My bags did get misplaced on the way to Michigan but they arrived the following morning with no problem besides the delay.
Just wrap them with some bubble wrap and say a little prayer to the Surf God.

Cheers,

BDA

 

[scubadetector]

Hey BDA Hunter your in my neck of the woods while in MI. Please if your back look me up. I would love to show you some spots if you get a chance.

 

[mynah]

I use a rifle gun case to secure my MD when flying to the outer islands of Hawaii. I break down my White's PI 950 and lay the detector in cut outs that I made with the egg shell foam. Works real nice. When checking in with the TSA they treat the case with respect as do the baggage handlers.

Mynah

 

[bdahunter]

Hey BDA Hunter your in my neck of the woods while in MI. Please if your back look me up. I would love to show you some spots if you get a chance.

Hey Scuba Dude,
I'm having my 1959 Chris Craft Constellation restored in Grand Haven, MI and I'm due for a return trip to see how the work is progressing, probably this summer. We could get together for a hunt if you're in that area of the state.

Kewl,

BDA

 

[scubadetector]

Please PM me when the time is closer!! Lets see what we can do!!!

 

[jb]

I have flown on numerous airlines and never had a problem as yet. I just returned from 3 wks. in Southern California on Southwest Airlines and had no problems either way with the TAS. I have an old Whites Hard Case I bought when I used my XLT. I removed the factory foam and installed 2" foam from an upholstery shop and lined it to fit my Minelabs I carry with me. Make sure if you decide to go the carry-on route you check the size dimensions of the airlines for overhead bins. Personally after watching the baggage handlers load the suitcases I would not want my electronics to be in their hands. I disassemble the equipment and carry 2 machines inside the case along with coils, battery's chargers, and pin pointers and also the pre mounted X-1 probe. All my digging tools, pouches, belts and other things go in my suitcase for baggage. The battery's are removed from all equipment and ends are taped over with black electric tape per TAS requirements. I have also attached on the outside of the case a complete list of the contents inside and at times included a picture also taped to the front of the case with me and the equipment. They always open the case just to look and then ask questions about metal detecting and how good the machine is. This time in Ontario, Ca. I had the same thing happen except not only did they ask about the hobby but opened the case and ran some sort of cloth around the edges of the case after it was opened and then examined it under some X-Ray machine. Maybe looking for some explosive residue but said everything was fine with it and left me to go on my way. So Really no problem and be nice to them and never argue or attempt to help them in anyway. Let them open it and do their thing.
Hope this answers your question on travel. HH John

 

[Casper-1]

For your Pi - get the 3 piece rod - it breaks down smaller than 2 piece of course. Here are some pics to give you some ideas - I don't like packing them in checked in baggage.
I had a bag get lost once and while I had both of my machine with me - my scoops, masks, and other equipment were in the bag they lost - I got it back but lost
valuable hunting time. I use an athletic bag now that is used for baseball players. It has a zipper area for bats underneath that should fit your rods. I usually will wrap
towels, bathing suit, or change of clothes around box and coil. I used to carry on 2 machines , but depnding on where I am going will usually pack one. I carry on
my CZ20 and pack my PI Pro for a back up when I go down to Miami. Pi is a tough machine to use down there because alot of guys use Minelabs or $3000 Aqua whatevers
that don't pick up any junk - but you will with the PI. Drop me a line if you have any questions.

 

[bdahunter]

I just got off the phone with the manager of the marina (great guy) he's going to report back to me on the progress this week. With any luck I can have her back in the water for Summer '09, knock on wood because she's a wooden boat. I should be back to check on her late this summer and if she's ready I'll take you for a spin if you like, great old boat! Get in a hunt while we're at it.

Cheers,

BDA

 

[Jackalope]

For those of us who have scoops that do not break down for travel;... does anyone ship their scoop and digging accessories via U.P.S., so the airlines don't get a chance to lose them? On the airline I'm booked with, check in baggage can be a maximum of 62 linear inches (L" x W" x H") and 50 lbs. Finding something to carry the scoop and assorted other stuff is difficult considering the linear inch maximum.

Have located a reinforced cardboard box ( 42" X 10" x 10" ) that my short handled scoop will fit in and reinforced the area where the scoop ( 11" x 6" ) sits with plywood on 5 of the six sides. Will pack the box tightly with the rest of the non-carry on stuff. Completely wrapping with strong packing tape and, other than opening it for inspection, I'm thinking it might make it through this non-stop flight. I'll be using some bright yellow tape on the box and will be watching out the window when they load the baggage.

As far as carry on;... the maximum it can be 45 linear inches ( L" x W" x H" ) and 40 lbs. All electronics ( housings, coils, probes, wands, etc ) will be in the carry on. Will be taking 3 detectors along;... BHID 300 primary water, 1280X backup water and F-75 for dry sand. The top wand sections on both the BHID and F-75 are 24" long but the F-75 housing is part of top shaft. The F-75 top shaft is definitely not going in the check in baggage. So finding a bag that has the dimensions of ( 24" x 12" x 9" or 45" linear inches) was not easy. Need 24" for the shafts, 12" for the BHID coil, so that leaves 9". Found that a bag ( 22" x 13" x 10" ) will work if I angle the shafts from corner to corner, which is 25.5". Square root of (A squared + B squared). A = 22, B= 13.

Over-sized check in baggage is $100 per pop. Would be interested in others experiences along these lines.

Ron

 

[Casper-1]

you can hook up with guys that have extra scoops or rent one from a dealer in the area you are going -
I have friends now in places that I travel to that tell me not to bring anything - they have enough
extra machines and equipment for me to use, but I still bring my own. it is nice to know that
I could still hunt if I did lose everthing because of the contacts i have made thru the various detecting forums.

Post asking if anyone has an extra scoop before you go down.