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MOTOBRICK.COM => The MBdotCOM Community Center => Topic started by: Lbyvik on January 14, 2013, 08:28:18 AM
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My GF and I are buying a SWEEEEEEET K1100LT! Absolutely gorgus! We can't wait. LOTS of miles to put under her yet and she will be PERFECT for the Officiating I do for bike races! Worlds in Richmond in 2015! YAY!
Anyway, the bike is in Grand Rapids Michigan. I'll be Flying in and driving back to Fauquier County VA in late FEB early March. Has anyone had experience flying with electric gear? I'll be carrying it on and will have to go through the TSA goons. I once got a full pat down cuz I had two yogurts each one ounce over the limit....UGH...
Will a vest and electric pants go through? or will they consider it material for a bomb or something?
I've thought about sending the electric gear ahead via UPS. Its not expensive and may save some hassle.
Thoughts? Flames?
Larry
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I've flown with heated insoles. Not all wired up in the legs, just the insoles in the boots with wire. Not a problem, even after the shoe bomber. I put the rest of it in my checked stuff though just to avoid any potential hassle.
If you do wear it then make sure no wires are hanging out. Several years ago at Sea-Tac somebody was walking around in their heated gear with a wire or two hanging out. Another person at the airport didn't know what it was and reported it to security. They put the airport on lockdown for a couple of hours until they figured out what was up.
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If possable I don't fly anymore. Too much a hassle.
Anything electronic in nature (other than my phone and tablet/laptop ) I ship. (If you have gone through a check point with a bag of computer parts you will know why)
Depending on how long I am staying I will ship my clothing and supplies also. It is cheaper (sometimes) than paying the checked luggage charges and you can track it better than with the Airlines.
Also the more stops you make the higher the chances that your checked baggage will be lost or stolen. You also may have to go through more check points. ( the sound of purple gloves snapping again! )
Make a list of the things you are going to need to carry for your trip and go from there. Helmets, foul weather gear, boots, spare clothing, etc. can be bulky. Then decide....
Hope this helped...
Have Fun & Be Safe....
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Also the more stops you make the higher the chances that your checked baggage will be lost or stolen.
In my life I have flown literally over a million miles. (Used to be in consulting and have done a fair amount of "backpacking" around the world.) In all of my travels I never lost or had any luggage stolen and the luggage issues I did have I can count on one hand. Every time my luggage was "lost" or missed a connection it was delivered to me w/in 24 hours.
As long as you're not a "runner" (what airlines call somebody who checks in late) or have a very short layover then there's an incredibly high chance that your checked baggage will make it to your destination with you.
I do agree that the baggage charges these days are kind of BS.
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Ok thanks guys! This helps a lot
I fly about 16 times yearly. Mostly to Pensacola. I've never had a problem with lost luggage and I do carry my helmet on with me.
Im thinking I'll UPS my electric gear. Won't cost much and sounds like it will alleviate some hassle. I'll be Flying out of Reagan (bow reverently) :yes National. They may be fairly uptight
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Look into a medium or large Priority Mail Flat Rate box too. That's what I use when I go visit my dad and don't want to carry everything on the bike.
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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xiizfd_airport-security_shortfilms#.UPRFSyfC0Zk (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xiizfd_airport-security_shortfilms#.UPRFSyfC0Zk)
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I haven't flown quite as much as Duck, but I've done my share of commuting to the airport. FWIW My experience with checked baggage is similar to his, problems I've had have been rare, and mostly resolved quickly. And, I agree, that the baggage fees are B.S. Southwest is your friend.
As for the flying with the gear issue, it probably won't be a big deal, but you should be prepared to answer questions, as long as they understand what they are looking at it shouldn't be an issue. I've flown with half my luggage (at least it seemed so) filled with disk drives, wall warts and power strips and it has sailed right through every time.
If feasible, I would treat the gear like a laptop and put it through separately from the luggage in separate bins, and allow a little extra time for getting through. It might not hurt to tell they guy checking ID's and boarding passes your situation and getting his advice too.
The security at Reagan seems pretty much always busy, so I don't think there is any possiblity of picking a slack time, but that would help too.
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I've taken a 50A alternator and a K water pump though security or separate trips. :laugh
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All this REALLY helps. I really cant wait to get this Brick. Its a 93 K1100 LT with only 30k miles on it. It will be my second brick. Im totally enamored with these things. I've had many Japanese bikes, KLR's, ST1100, WeeStrom and a few others. All great in their own way. But only the KLR had any real personally, yet NOTHING like the first K I rode. A 91 k75S. I was hooked.
Anyway......Thanks for all the help