Electronic prototypes on planes

[jazper]

Hi All,

I was wondering how people transport electronic prototypes on planes. I am going to be flying out soon and wanted suggestions about how to do it without causing a flap around airport security.

My intention is only to bring carry on luggage if possible.

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks

[sokoloff]

I've carried all manner of "electronics crap" as carry-on onto commercial airlines probably a dozen times and they've never even asked me about it. Arduinos, RPis, wires, batteries, breakout boards, bare PCBs, modules, you name it.

I wouldn't sweat it. Bring it on.

[coppice]

Hi All,

I was wondering how people transport electronic prototypes on planes. I am going to be flying out soon and wanted suggestions about how to do it without causing a flap around airport security.

My intention is only to bring carry on luggage if possible.

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Thanks

The only time I have been questioned carrying boards, test tools and lots of cables was when I used to carry things that included a big terminal block with 6 contacts. On the X-ray image it looked like it might be a clip of bullets.

Theoretically you could hit import/export issues, and have people demanding tariff payments, but I've never seen it happen with anything small. If you carry things containing devices under export control, you might hit serious issues. Take care about that. Many big companies totally ban staff from hand carrying things, and insist everything is shipped through company channels. However, if you are crossing borders frequently this becomes unworkable, and people have to ignore some of the company rules to function.

[sokoloff]

Lithium batteries are probably the only thing that's a genuine concern (and have specific regulations around them and airlines might have operations specs that are more strict than the general FAA guidance). Keep them in a safe plastic carrier and carry them on the airplane.

[wraper]

Unless there is something sharp or there is a big battery, should be no issues. I even brought 3 gas reductors in carry on baggage. Security was not happy about that, though  .

[Rerouter]

If it has the power source kept seperate, and able to be inspected its not normally a problem, I've taken all kinds of electronics across boarders, but they only really seemed to get hung up on batteries, and large CNC'd metal cans with suggestive shapes, but pulling it out so they could inspect, resulted in a wave through.

[Brumby]

I've not needed to carry stuff like this - but I can offer these, from general observations:

1. Be completely open.  Do not try and hide anything - that is the best way to not only attract attention, but suspicion (which is worse).
2. Keep batteries out of circuit and preferably packed separately.  Dress any wiring so that it does not look like it could be connected to the battery in an X-ray.
3. Have everything easily accessible if they want to physically view the item.
4. Never talk about the BOM - always refer to it as the Bill Of Materials!

Just remember, these guys are simply trying to ensure safe travel for everyone - and if you present your item and yourself in a manner that makes their life easier, you will be more likely to be treated fairly.  Certainly you could come across someone who wants to throw their "authority" around - but if you give them less ammunition, then they are less likely to succeed in stuffing up your day.

[beanflying]

Back in the good old days my carry on aluminum briefcase I took to model aircraft events around the world used to weigh it at between 9 and 13kg 

Pliers, Screwdrivers, Long Stick shaped Batteries, Spare Receivers soldering iron and generally enough gear to take the plane apart from the inside if I wanted to

15-20 years ago the only time I had gear 'held' (was returned on exit) or stopped by airport security was in Dubai on a 10 hour stopover en route to Turkey. The only other time was after clearing international customs in Australia then going on a domestic flight the 'private security employee' put one pair of sidecutters and two screwdrivers' in the hold but left the scalpel blades and the other pliers in the case

My call would be put it into general luggage and not carry on unless the conditions would cause it an issue (or heat seal it in an anti static bag) given the current climate. If you don't there is a chance it will be put there anyway and returned at the other end so go prepared for this and if there is a battery bag it separately so worst case of a paranoid security guard your electronics should be fine.

[spec]

The situation varies greatly from country to country, airport to airport and security officer to security officer. It also varies according to the current threat level. You would be well advised not to carry anything controversial with you, or you may have to forfeit it or be banned from the flight. I have had this problem three time and had to do a lot of explaining on others.

[coppercone2]

i took some shady looking home made antennas with me and put it into the checked luggage and there was no problem. They looked at my SDR but it was OK because I think they have some do-hicky that checks if its a real USB device (I had a custom experimental looking chassis), but I was allowed to take it into the cabin with my laptop (but I was sure not to have any antennas or connection cables on my cabin baggage).

[saike]

I had to take a small package of electronic parts and, a diesel fuel filter as hand luggage to rescue one of our trucks that had broken down in an inconvenient location. The inspector at the check in x-ray scanner said to his assistant 'Check that filter to make sure it is ok' The assistant pulled the filter out of my bag and said 'We have to check these because they sometimes leak and make a mess on the plane' They had no interest in the electronics at all and I went away feeling very confused about how many people turn up at the airport with a diesel fuel filter in their hand luggage.

[spec]

I generally have a brief case with me which has stationary equipment in it. On one occasion, when one of the scares was on, a security officer said that I could not take the propelling pencil and two ballpoint pens that were in he brief case into the cabin. When i asked him why, he said that I may stab someone with them. My objections went unheeded and this is the point, a security officer has absolute authority on such matters. 

[mrpackethead]

I sometimes will have a dev board or something with me. I put them in clear plastic containers, which has two functions. It stops them from getting damaged by all the other crap in my bag, and it means if you do have to pull it out, then its easy for them to see through without having to get all their mits on it.

[soldar]

Anything can happen depending on who you encounter. Some countries are more paranoid than others.
 
There was the case of the female MIT student arrested for entering Boston airport with a "fake bomb" which turned out to be a hoodie with flashing LEDs because she was meeting her boyfriend and wanted to do a festive thing for him.  She wasn't even getting on a plane. I knew we had all gone collectively crazy when many people justified her arrest and harsh treatment. People, including airport security people can be spooked by anything unfamiliar. I guess they had never seen LEDs before.   

[Sudo_apt-get_install_yum]

Whenever I transport prototypes between offices or customers (countries around the world) I send them with DHL express. It works great and takes 3 days for the things to arrive.

There have been a few occasions when I'd have to have it as a carry luggage and it's only been a problem once, when I had loads of diffrent cables with me.
But all other times when it was just plain circuit boards in housings it worked fine.

Good luck

[LapTop006]

... large CNC'd metal cans with suggestive shapes...

That one got me an unpleasant discussion with airport security while transiting through Dubai several years ago.

I had some fibre array cables with insane Amphenol connectors on the end, security asked me why I had a flail weapon.



In the end they let me through, but it was a lesson I shan't forget any time soon, as others have said, especially for carry-on, consider what it might look like on an x-ray screen, doubly so if international, triply so if they likely won't speak your language.

[tszaboo]

Traveling with PCBs and stuff is fine. The only time I gt my bag opened, where there was a bunch of solder next to the prototypes. They asked me what it is, I told them, they spent 2 seconds thinking (if solder != bomb, then let him board) that's all.

[coppercone2]

Traveling with PCBs and stuff is fine. The only time I gt my bag opened, where there was a bunch of solder next to the prototypes. They asked me what it is, I told them, they spent 2 seconds thinking (if solder != bomb, then let him board) that's all.

their making sure you don't bring a garrote on board