Tools for trip

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WP29P4A

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TSA does not allow any tools in carryon luggage.
I believe that is an opinion and not a fact, and this is why I believe that. This is the tool bag I use, a client flew me down to Palm Springs on his personal jet, but I had to fly commercial on the way home. It was a new airline with all fresh new children working for them. The newbies sent me through security with a bag that they were going to check at the plane. (NOT A CARRY ON) the first pic shows the tool bag, second shows what TSA would not let me carry on.
If I remember correctly, 7" is the max tool length, and anything sharp is a no go. I was pissed that I didn't think about taking one of the screw drivers and removing the blades from my utility knife so I could have kept it, they don't make that style anymore. The crimpers are about $75. each. I was waiting for the child that was deciding what tools I could keep, to go after my 35' tape measure because 35' is more than 7". they were almost that dumb.

It's also possible that the rules were changed in the last 3 months, making both of us correct. It's also possible that everyone I dealt with didn't know what they were doing.
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imjohnny

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I believe that is an opinion and not a fact, and this is why I believe that. This is the tool bag I use, a client flew me down to Palm Springs on his personal jet, but I had to fly commercial on the way home. It was a new airline with all fresh new children working for them. The newbies sent me through security with a bag that they were going to check at the plane. (NOT A CARRY ON) the first pic shows the tool bag, second shows what TSA would not let me carry on.
If I remember correctly, 7" is the max tool length, and anything sharp is a no go. I was pissed that I didn't think about taking one of the screw drivers and removing the blades from my utility knife so I could have kept it, they don't make that style anymore. The crimpers are about $75. each. I was waiting for the child that was deciding what tools I could keep, to go after my 35' tape measure because 35' is more than 7". they were almost that dumb.

It's also possible that the rules were changed in the last 3 months, making both of us correct. It's also possible that everyone I dealt with didn't know what they were doing.
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Yeah, I looked. 7" is the limit. So I could take a set of sockets and ratchets that are 1/4" for sure. Don't think I have a 3/8 that is that short. I could take one of my old ones and lop the end off of it to make it fit though. May do that and bring my little go box that I keep in my current burb.
 

imjohnny

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Just buy new where you land. Don't alter old tools to appease the feds
Yeah, I think you are right. I paid for a carry on, and am gonna fit everything I can in there that is less than 7 inches, and stop by harbor freight before I leave to pick up what I can't bring.
 

CalSgt

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I believe that is an opinion and not a fact, and this is why I believe that. This is the tool bag I use, a client flew me down to Palm Springs on his personal jet, but I had to fly commercial on the way home. It was a new airline with all fresh new children working for them. The newbies sent me through security with a bag that they were going to check at the plane. (NOT A CARRY ON) the first pic shows the tool bag, second shows what TSA would not let me carry on.
If I remember correctly, 7" is the max tool length, and anything sharp is a no go. I was pissed that I didn't think about taking one of the screw drivers and removing the blades from my utility knife so I could have kept it, they don't make that style anymore. The crimpers are about $75. each. I was waiting for the child that was deciding what tools I could keep, to go after my 35' tape measure because 35' is more than 7". they were almost that dumb.

It's also possible that the rules were changed in the last 3 months, making both of us correct. It's also possible that everyone I dealt with didn't know what they were doing.
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When I was just a pup working for a cable TV company they sent me to the company training center in LA, my boss gave me instructions that I was not to check my bag with the company equipment so it wouldn't get lost and threatened to charge me for anything missing. This was probably 6 months before 9/11/2001, the TSA guy running the bag scanner rolled his eyes and flagged me. Another TSA lady grabbed my bag (she could barely lift it) and escorted me to the "We look through your bag" area. She unzipped my bag and glanced in touched like two things then got this defeated look and asked "okay what am I looking at." I explained it was my tools for a tech school, she asked "well is anything in here sharp or could anyone get hurt by this stuff"

I showed her the utility knife and she said, "Aw hell naw! You cant take that on a plane! Anything else in here sharp?"

"No Ma'am."

No way was I going to tell her I had my brand new $300 lineman's gaffs, at least three types of pliers with cutters, screwdrivers, scissors, hammers Etc.

I asked to see the utility knife, used the screw driver to remove the blade and said how about now?

She gave it back and didn't bother looking any further.
 

SDJunkMan

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The problem is that TSA is not consistent from one Airport to another. I have flown out with items in my bag, but was not allowed to fly back with the same items, and arguing with them does no good. On a one way trip it's no problem if they let you bring my, but sucks when you can't bring your stuff back.
 

Redfish

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Haha....definitely will. I'll make a thread to document the trip. Post some pics along the way.
Maybe I missed it, approximately where is this Suburban located? You are taking it back to Lakeland, FL obviously. Your route may bring you close to some of the members of this forum.
 

imjohnny

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Maybe I missed it, approximately where is this Suburban located? You are taking it back to Lakeland, FL obviously. Your route may bring you close to some of the members of this forum.
It is in Des Moines. Will be heading through St. Louis, Nashville, and Atlanta all on the way home.
 

AyWoSch Motors

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Maybe I missed it, approximately where is this Suburban located? You are taking it back to Lakeland, FL obviously. Your route may bring you close to some of the members of this forum.
I think there's a thread on where a bunch of us all are. Like a help map.
 

imjohnny

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I'll look for it. Thank so much man. I am pretty new to the group here, but everyone has been so great. So much better than the other forums I have been a part of. So often they have nothing but egos and snarky comments. This whole forum has been great to me.
 

Ricko1966

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Okay it seems a lot of people have little faith in squares driving across country,trouble free. As for carrying an alternator with you I wouldn't bother ,a car will run an amazingly long time on just the battery. Long enough to get you somewhere to buy an alternator. I personally lost an alternator at night in kansas city drove home 50 miles lights on,on the battery,recharged it drove back to Kansas city in the morning and bought an alternator. The fewer accessories you run the longer your drive time.And seriously I've changed out engines with fewer tools than what is being suggested. Grab your basics and go,you'll be fine.
 

imjohnny

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Okay it seems a lot of people have little faith in squares driving across country,trouble free. As for carrying an alternator with you I wouldn't bother ,a car will run an amazingly long time on just the battery. Long enough to get you somewhere to buy an alternator. I personally lost an alternator at night in kansas city drove home 50 miles lights on,on the battery,recharged it drove back to Kansas city in the morning and bought an alternator. The fewer accessories you run the longer your drive time.And seriously I've changed out engines with fewer tools than what is being suggested. Grab your basics and go,you'll be fine.
Yeah, that is what I think is smartest. Gonna have ratchets and wrenches and screwdrivers. Gonna pick up extra fluids and maybe a fuel pump just in case.

I would be more confident in it if I had time to go through it. But I am literally flying in and driving home. Once I have some time to go through it I would feel fine driving it cross country. I just don't know what and how it was kept before me. The other thing is, I believe this burb has sat and not been driven much at all over the last decade or more.

It had what appears to be brand new tires on it, but with a 2009 date code. So this thing was taken care of, but not driven much. A lot can happen when they sit if they aren't prepped correctly. So I don't want to go overboard, but I also am cool with some cheap insurance against a night on the side of the highway.
 

Ricko1966

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I'd replace the 14 year old tires 1st
 

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