car parts in checked luggage
Discussion
I've brought brake callipers, Cats(not the fury kind) air/oil filters, 10L Mobil 1 and various other items back from the US and they are the most fussy about what's in your bag for some reason relating to 9/11, and not had any problems, they do sometimes open the bag for a good look but that doesn't seem to be related to the car parts but for some reason more likely if we bring BBQ sauce back.
I doubt the UK authorities would care, they are either much better with the scanner or more inept at security, I like to think we had more practice since the 80s than the merkins but it may be the latter.
I doubt the UK authorities would care, they are either much better with the scanner or more inept at security, I like to think we had more practice since the 80s than the merkins but it may be the latter.
that will depend on your flight connections, direct flight and you will only have to clear customs, who may want a look but un-likely, they are more interested in fruit and meat. If you have an internal flight then they will have to clear a TSA check before onward travel that is the same as flying out of the US.
I really don't think you will have a problem with the parts you describe, they are just bits of plastic/metal that may have some oil residue, not really and different to taking a child car seat that may have had its frame lubricated for example
I really don't think you will have a problem with the parts you describe, they are just bits of plastic/metal that may have some oil residue, not really and different to taking a child car seat that may have had its frame lubricated for example
Cant say I have ever had my bag opened in the UK or heard of anyone who has, even going back to the IRA and post Lockerbie days when electronics were banned in checked, I think even EL-AL only had an extra scan at the gate back in the day. Not saying it doesn't happen but certainly not with the frequency it does in the US.
We could almost guarantee the TSA would open at least one of our bags on our return flights, mysteriously though once we got new cases it has been less of a problem so I guess at some point our old case may have been contaminated with something the TSA didn't like, They solved the problem for us in the end by cutting the zip rather than open the TSA lock thereby ruining the case, they even managed to wreck both cases on the same trip!
If you have expensive locks then its probably worth getting a TSA approved one for the return at least, lessens the chance of the americans making a mess a little as if they do want a look they wont hesitate to get the cutters out
We could almost guarantee the TSA would open at least one of our bags on our return flights, mysteriously though once we got new cases it has been less of a problem so I guess at some point our old case may have been contaminated with something the TSA didn't like, They solved the problem for us in the end by cutting the zip rather than open the TSA lock thereby ruining the case, they even managed to wreck both cases on the same trip!
If you have expensive locks then its probably worth getting a TSA approved one for the return at least, lessens the chance of the americans making a mess a little as if they do want a look they wont hesitate to get the cutters out
Bottom line is pack it sensible, bag/double bag it, preferably clear, put it close to the top of the case for ease of access and try and keep other suspicious objects away from it. Even if they do decide to take a look, its not a restricted item and any trace of petrol is clearly not in sufficient quantity to be a risk.
I have flown with restricted items in checked, ok only matches but still restricted, only time I have had any real problem was a left over can of RAID bug spray (s
t hotel and the American stuff works really well and we were too cheap to throw it out) It was back in the day when the TSA opened your bag in front of you, they pulled out the raid and confiscated it, then pulled out the K&N filter cleaning kit, it was at this point I noticed the highly flammable label on the box. couldn't give a st about the raid, wasn't quite so happy about loosing the K&N kit. fortunately they didn't see the label and back in the case it went.
I have flown with restricted items in checked, ok only matches but still restricted, only time I have had any real problem was a left over can of RAID bug spray (s
t hotel and the American stuff works really well and we were too cheap to throw it out) It was back in the day when the TSA opened your bag in front of you, they pulled out the raid and confiscated it, then pulled out the K&N filter cleaning kit, it was at this point I noticed the highly flammable label on the box. couldn't give a st about the raid, wasn't quite so happy about loosing the K&N kit. fortunately they didn't see the label and back in the case it went.ViperDave said:
We could almost guarantee the TSA would open at least one of our bags on our return flights, mysteriously though once we got new cases it has been less of a problem so I guess at some point our old case may have been contaminated with something the TSA didn't like, They solved the problem for us in the end by cutting the zip rather than open the TSA lock thereby ruining the case, they even managed to wreck both cases on the same trip!
If you have expensive locks then its probably worth getting a TSA approved one for the return at least, lessens the chance of the americans making a mess a little as if they do want a look they wont hesitate to get the cutters out
Better to just use a cable tie than a lock. You'll know if it's been opened (which mine never have) and TSA locks offer virtually no security in the first place...If you have expensive locks then its probably worth getting a TSA approved one for the return at least, lessens the chance of the americans making a mess a little as if they do want a look they wont hesitate to get the cutters out
LooneyTunes said:
Better to just use a cable tie than a lock. You'll know if it's been opened (which mine never have) and TSA locks offer virtually no security in the first place...
Possibly but then a cable tie offers no security. Wouldn't have helped when the TSA cut the zips as they would likely still have done so with ties, Remember when they did that they 1) had a key, 2) could have cut the lock, but no they cut the zip fastener, and as for knowing if they have been in or not, we put a small cable tie around as well, the type that can be broken with a tug of a key or pen in it. That way we are not stuck in a hotel trying to beg for something to cut the cable tie off as were not allowed anything sharper than a teddy bear in the hand luggage.Having our bags opened by the TSA had got so bad with stuff being damaged by them that I even considered putting a note in the top of the case with a $5 bill attached offering it as a tip if they took care to re-pack our stuff.
LooneyTunes said:
Better to just use a cable tie than a lock. You'll know if it's been opened (which mine never have) and TSA locks offer virtually no security in the first place...
Cable tie offers no security at all, they are more likely to cut it open if they see it.We've bought back a multitude of car parts from the US, door hinges, shocks, wiring parts, steering columns etc. Last time we put the bags through for scanning, told the guys what was in them and waiting to check they were happy - they were actually quite grateful we had done so.
They will probably be more concerned you have something hidden in the manifold than the manifold itself.
I'd do what Dave suggests, wrap it up obviously but don't seal the package or put tape over the ports so its easy for them to check if they do decide to have a look.
From my experience, wrap it in cling film or bubble wrap. Put a label on it saying what it is and you should be OK. The scanners they have now are so detailed they can see virtually everything. If they look in your bag then they leave a little love note saying they have had a look. I fly back a forward to the USA virtually every month and never bother with locks. They will cut the locks off if they want to look so no point.
Edited by Geoff Stilwell on Sunday 28th April 09:21
Crafty_ said:
LooneyTunes said:
Better to just use a cable tie than a lock. You'll know if it's been opened (which mine never have) and TSA locks offer virtually no security in the first place...
Cable tie offers no security at all, they are more likely to cut it open if they see it.I'd argue that ties are actaully more secure than TSA locks - the latter being flimsy, all being master keyed (available online), and by and large having no visible indicator of being opened.
end of the day its a material bag with a plastic zip, fundamentally not very secure to someone determined, but to the casual quick dip into your case thief
1) no lock = no deterrent.
2) cable tie = defeated by scissors, might be explainable by thief having them in position if asked
3) TSA lock = defeated by TSA key or cutters, hard to explain if your not TSA.
Will your travel insurance cover you for theft if you didn't try to secure your bag.
1) no lock = no deterrent.
2) cable tie = defeated by scissors, might be explainable by thief having them in position if asked
3) TSA lock = defeated by TSA key or cutters, hard to explain if your not TSA.
Will your travel insurance cover you for theft if you didn't try to secure your bag.
ViperDave said:
end of the day its a material bag with a plastic zip, fundamentally not very secure to someone determined, but to the casual quick dip into your case thief
1) no lock = no deterrent.
2) cable tie = defeated by scissors, might be explainable by thief having them in position if asked
3) TSA lock = defeated by TSA key or cutters, hard to explain if your not TSA.
Will your travel insurance cover you for theft if you didn't try to secure your bag.
Mate, you may as well fully give up. This video shows that you can open the zip itself using a ball point pen, then rezip it closed after. Zero evidence and it matters not one jot what king of lock/tie you've used on the zippers, as that's never disturbed:1) no lock = no deterrent.
2) cable tie = defeated by scissors, might be explainable by thief having them in position if asked
3) TSA lock = defeated by TSA key or cutters, hard to explain if your not TSA.
Will your travel insurance cover you for theft if you didn't try to secure your bag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aom2M_8hPpY
mrmr96 said:
ViperDave said:
end of the day its a material bag with a plastic zip, fundamentally not very secure to someone determined, but to the casual quick dip into your case thief
1) no lock = no deterrent.
2) cable tie = defeated by scissors, might be explainable by thief having them in position if asked
3) TSA lock = defeated by TSA key or cutters, hard to explain if your not TSA.
Will your travel insurance cover you for theft if you didn't try to secure your bag.
Mate, you may as well fully give up. This video shows that you can open the zip itself using a ball point pen, then rezip it closed after. Zero evidence and it matters not one jot what king of lock/tie you've used on the zippers, as that's never disturbed:1) no lock = no deterrent.
2) cable tie = defeated by scissors, might be explainable by thief having them in position if asked
3) TSA lock = defeated by TSA key or cutters, hard to explain if your not TSA.
Will your travel insurance cover you for theft if you didn't try to secure your bag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aom2M_8hPpY
ViperDave said:
mrmr96 said:
ViperDave said:
end of the day its a material bag with a plastic zip, fundamentally not very secure to someone determined, but to the casual quick dip into your case thief
1) no lock = no deterrent.
2) cable tie = defeated by scissors, might be explainable by thief having them in position if asked
3) TSA lock = defeated by TSA key or cutters, hard to explain if your not TSA.
Will your travel insurance cover you for theft if you didn't try to secure your bag.
Mate, you may as well fully give up. This video shows that you can open the zip itself using a ball point pen, then rezip it closed after. Zero evidence and it matters not one jot what king of lock/tie you've used on the zippers, as that's never disturbed:1) no lock = no deterrent.
2) cable tie = defeated by scissors, might be explainable by thief having them in position if asked
3) TSA lock = defeated by TSA key or cutters, hard to explain if your not TSA.
Will your travel insurance cover you for theft if you didn't try to secure your bag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aom2M_8hPpY
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