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Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 4:55 pm
by vwjuice
If you're flying somewhere in the USA and taking your rc(s), how do you pack them? Is there anything that they won't let you take on the plane? I could see lipos being an issue.
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:02 pm
by Coelacanth
vwjuice wrote:If you're flying somewhere in the USA and taking your rc(s), how do you pack them? Is there anything that they won't let you take on the plane? I could see lipos being an issue.
Any kind of tools would also be an issue.
I'd probably either pack them separately in a shipping box or if it was just one car, you could probably pack it in a suitcase with clothes on all sides for protection.
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:06 pm
by vwjuice
I didn't even think about tools. How do pros get to all of the various races then?
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:25 pm
by marlo
I can remember over 25 years ago when my family and I went to Florida, and I bought an Atari. The cost was half of what I would have paid for here, back then. When it was time to fly back to Canada, my dad had asked me where I planed on packing that thing, In my carry bag of course! When we passed through the lady at the X-ray thingy, she looked at me and asked, what the hell do you have in here, I said just an Atari, her eyes rolled, NEXT. Very much doubt that could happen today.
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 5:32 pm
by vwjuice
Haha. Yeah I could see that going a lot differently now.
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:17 pm
by esaresky75
vwjuice wrote:If you're flying somewhere in the USA and taking your rc(s), how do you pack them? Is there anything that they won't let you take on the plane? I could see lipos being an issue.
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items#7
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/can-i-bring-my
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:31 pm
by esaresky75
I wouldn't pack it in a suit case with other item such as clothes. First, you don't want it to look like you are trying to hide it. Second, you want quick, easy inspection access for the screeners. i would use a hard, lockable case with a form insert cut to match the car. Keep tools and batteries separate. Batteries should be in their own protective case. Remember, wires, ESC and a battery can be mistaken for a explosive device.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnxWlhfrrM
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:06 am
by vwjuice
esaresky75 wrote:I wouldn't pack it in a suit case with other item such as clothes. First, you don't want it to look like you are trying to hide it. Second, you want quick, easy inspection access for the screeners. i would use a hard, lockable case with a form insert cut to match the car. Keep tools and batteries separate. Batteries should be in their own protective case. Remember, wires, ESC and a battery can be mistaken for a explosive device.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnxWlhfrrM
Those are good tips. That's what I was trying to figure out. Sounds like trying to take a 1/18 rally car with me is more work then it's worth.
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:16 am
by vwjuice
Hey thanks for the link. Looking by that, it should be ok to bring stuff as long as I pack it ok.
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:22 am
by vintage AE
I've traveled to the States many times with RCs and for years within Canada. I check it every time using my Team Associated 1/10 scale bag. No issues at all and this is with tools, lipo, everything I deeded. The only thing was that I had to remove the shoulder strap.

Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:29 am
by vwjuice
vintage AE wrote:I've traveled to the States many times with RCs and for years within Canada. I check it every time using my Team Associated 1/10 scale bag. No issues at all and this is with tools, lipo, everything I deeded. The only thing was that I had to remove the shoulder strap.

Thanks for the idea. I might have to pick one of those up.
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 1:24 am
by GoMachV
Here's my travel case
All I need to do is make sure the hotel has a shelf for it to sit on

Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 1:42 am
by Coelacanth
esaresky75 wrote:I wouldn't pack it in a suit case with other item such as clothes. First, you don't want it to look like you are trying to hide it. Second, you want quick, easy inspection access for the screeners. i would use a hard, lockable case with a form insert cut to match the car. Keep tools and batteries separate. Batteries should be in their own protective case. Remember, wires, ESC and a battery can be mistaken for a explosive device.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGnxWlhfrrM
I disagree. I've travelled to several countries--Peru twice, Thailand, Mexico 4 times, not to mention many times to & through USA. I've had no issues packing stuff in my non-carry on suitcase. If they're going to search it, they're going to search it regardless of whether they think I'm "hiding" something or not. They have metal detectors and high-tech scanners. There's nothing going to be in my suitcase that would be a problem or be confiscated. The times they've checked my suitcase (I put a zip-tie on the 2 zippers just so I'll know), they've inserted a slip of paper indicating that they opened & searched my bag.
Trying to "hide" a large object with tons of metal parts inside a suitcase is ridiculous in this day and age of heightened security measures.
That said, I would probably declare what I was bringing to that country in advance, so there would be even less possibility of them thinking I was "hiding" it.

Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 2:03 am
by vintage AE
I've taken rollers on the plane in a reusable grocery bag before. I was told by the airline's front desk to drain the shocks prior to going through security. Walked through with no issues.
Since I have it with me, I took a couple shots of that Associated bag, just to show how much stuff you can carry in it.
Re: Traveling with Rc cars on an airplane?
Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 5:28 am
by EvolutionRevolution
You may have a problem with lithium batteries on a plane - in some countries they're prohibited due to fire risks.