Everybody’s Scalin’ – Traveling With Your Scaler Responses

Two weeks ago I posted that I planned to go on vacation with my scaler, and asked if any experienced readers had tips to share. Boy, did you guys ever come out in force! Thank you to everyone who replied. Here are a couple I find particularly informative.

The first was from Daniel S. He is part of the RC4WD Recon G6 team from overseas and provided me some info, specifically a link to what the TSA deems ok to fly with. You have to actually search the term on the site, so I’ll save you the trouble and give you what it says in regards to Lithium batteries:

You may travel with dry batteries in your carry-on or checked baggage. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits loose lithium batteries from being transported in checked baggage.

Car batteries, wet batteries, or spillable batteries are prohibited from both carry-on and checked baggage unless being used to power a scooter or wheelchair. If a battery is used to power a scooter or wheelchair, you must advise the aircraft operator so that the battery can be properly packaged.

Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane.

Daniel also had some other information (he provided the pic above as well) which was echoed by the next e-mail. This is from Matt J.

I always carry on my rig. Most 1/10 trucks will fit in a carry on suitcase. Even my son’s Stampede fits. I had to do some strategic packing that included removing the wheels and body, but it fit.

ALWAYS CARY ON LIPOS!! If checked they wont make it. I like to tape up the connectors with black tape and tape them down to reduce the risk of short. And cary them in a lipo bag. My charger and extra parts usualy go in my check bag for space reasons. I have had as many as five 2s lipos at 5000mah with no problems. And i like to take the batteries out of my reciever just so it doesnt get turned on accidentally in flight and waste them.

Normaly when i travel I carry only a few parts (drive shafts, maby a screw pack) and a small baggie of tools (mostly to tighten pinion screws and such). I always pack light on those things.

Be ready to have the TSA check your stuff. As long as you are straight with them, there are usually no problems. Just be as transparent as possible and try and be polite. If you get pissy with them there is a good chance you could be SOL.

Some great stuff here, most notably the info about Lipos.

I think the greatest takeaway from all of this is to remember that you want to be as friendly as you can with the TSA. Much like a Park Ranger, an agent of the TSA holds the ultimate authority when it comes to letting you on easily or making it a hassle- potentially even confiscating your stuff. As with most situations in life, you’ll catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar.

Safe travels to all readers this summer, and I hope all you Yanks (like myself) have a great Independence Day Weekend!