Warning: Paris airport security isn't fu**ing around

Jim Titt wrote:Li-ion batteries and resin in checked luggage will be removed and destroyed as well, if the battery is in your drill that goes as well!

Whoa, I've never seen that one. I always have at least 2 battery banks with me in my carry on, a smaller one and a huge 15,000mAh one. I've never had a problem.

flew back and forth from yosemite with no trouble carrying rope harness and shoes.

OPs confiscated gear will live on. Someone who has access to confiscated items will happily use it, or sell it on MP or some such other venue. I wouldn't be surprised if the confiscating agency auctions it off themselves.

divnamite wrote:Just some data point. JFK/SMF/LAS security has no problem with full rack and rope in carry-on bags.

In the US, climbing gear is all on the okay to fly with list, so technically no where should have problems, and if they do, you should be able to pull up the list and show that it's okay.

As far as EU data points, I've flown into and out of England, Spain, and Germany with full rope and rack with no problems.

gavinsmith wrote: Whoa, I've never seen that one. I always have at least 2 battery banks with me in my carry on, a smaller one and a huge 15,000mAh one. I've never had a problem.

Li-on batteries in checked bags are not allowed. They are allowed in carry on.

faa.gov/about/initiatives/h…

As for the OP. Bummer. In many cases the airlines are sympathetic to fliers who get hit with carry-on snafus and have to check items. Also I would not trust those running the security about how full flights are. They are probably saying that just to get you to leave the items and move along.

Also a technical nit pick - items are not confiscated. They are considered abandoned because they are not permitted in the secure area.

gavinsmith wrote: Whoa, I've never seen that one. I always have at least 2 battery banks with me in my carry on, a smaller one and a huge 15,000mAh one. I've never had a problem.

Yes. Batteries in the carry on are fine. You just can't check them under the plane.

Parker Wrozek wrote: Yes. Batteries in the carry on are fine. You just can't check them under the plane.

I would like to point out that unlike TSA confiscating your cams or your safety razor, there is a VERY, VERY good reason they are banned in the cargo hold. Please don't let the airline gate-check a carry-on with Li-ion batteries either.

I think it depends on the day and who is staffing the security checks. I flew in and out of CDG in September with a hand full of climbing gear with no issues but have been stopped for a half full bottle of sunscreen simply because the bottle was over the size limit. There may have been 2 ounces left in it.

SRB25 wrote:I think it depends on the day and who is staffing the security checks.

This is almost always the case - certainly in the US. All the single-data-point anecdotes of "I carried on my entire rack with no problems in [airport name]" are basically irrelevant.

Marc801 wrote: This is almost always the case - certainly in the US. All the single-data-point anecdotes of "I carried on my entire rack with no problems in [airport name]" are basically irrelevant.

How about multiple times in the past 5 years without any issues?

divnamite wrote:Just some data point. JFK/SMF/LAS security has no problem with full rack and rope in carry-on bags.

I was working across the river in New Jersey when 9-11 happened. Brought my gear with me and climbed at the Gunks on the weekends . I had to reschedule my return flight because they closed all the airspace over the US. Once I was able to get a flight out of JFK I showed up at the airport with my climbing gear in a carry on and another carry on with my clothes, etc. When I got to the security check point I told the person at the x-ray machine that the "x-ray was going to look funny but it was only rock climbing gear" and that we could take it out of the pack so they could inspect it. When that pack hit the x-ray machine she stood up and said "oh my god, look at this". You wouldn't have believed people could move that fast. I was thrown up against the wall and pinned by several guys with rifles at the ready. I didn't pop off with even one cocky remark. There wasn't one "do you know who I am" or "my taxes pay your salaries" or "you people are going a little overboard with this security thing". Truth is I was pretty scared. We eventually got it worked out once they inspected the gear, went through all my luggage and frisked me thoroughly. To this day if security wants the pants I'm wearing I'll strip naked and give them up.

gavinsmith wrote: Whoa, I've never seen that one. I always have at least 2 battery banks with me in my carry on, a smaller one and a huge 15,000mAh one. I've never had a problem.

As has been noted, carry on is different to hold. Show appropriately packed batts to security and you are fine, leave one in your Hilti in checked and you lose the Hilti as well. A buddy of mine did this in Frankfurt and threatened to sue the security company for the value of the drill, they sent him a bill for the cost of dismantling and securely disposing of the item. Guess which was higher.
In Europe the airport security work to guidelines but the security officer has the final say, if he doesn´t like it then it´s out. I´ve had a 12mm drill bit that I forgot in my rucksack chucked out but carried 400 bolt hangers no problem but I was ready to go back and pay for another checked bag if they wouldn´t get through.
Check-in early and leave plenty of time to go back out and book extra baggage (you can) and it´s simple. Some airport services (my local one does) has a hold luggage facility for all the idiots that can´t read the rules properly anyway, they chuck all the bottles of moisturiser/shampoo and whatever in a crate which goes in hold and when you arrive you rummage through till you find whatever you fancy!

divnamite wrote: How about multiple times in the past 5 years without any issues?

Perhaps I used a poor example since climbing gear other than pointy stuff is on the allowed carry-on list in the US. However, your nut tool may or may not be allowed, depending on the TSA agent looking at your bag. Things like that.

kennoyce wrote: In the US, climbing gear is all on the okay to fly with list, so technically no where should have problems, and if they do, you should be able to pull up the list and show that it's okay. As far as EU data points, I've flown into and out of England, Spain, and Germany with full rope and rack with no problems.

Has anyone actually had any luck with that? I think any TSA agent that decides that your climbing is for some reason too dangerous to take on the plane, isn't going to listen to you pointing to some list on your phone... It's seems like at that point logic has already left the building...

Sorry OP about your loss. That sucks.

I have checked my climbing gear for many years now, ever since one inspector explained the locking biner as brass knuckles to me in mime gestures since she didn't speak much English.

I typically take a trip to Europe every year for climbing and my rule of thumb is to bring in your carry on those high value things which are hard to replace on a trip or pose no threat.

Climbing shoes are an absolute must--i spent too much time breaking them in and getting them just perfect (redpoint shoes especially). Also harness (Arc'teryx so $$$) and GriGri (easy to replace but $$$). Climbing clothing I spent a lot of time getting a system right that works for me so this is always carried on.

Quickdraws and rope are easy to replace if luggage is lost.

I don't do many trad trips and have only traveled once for ice.

Take a photo of everything before it is packed so you have a record.

- Alex

Sorry about your gear, Alan.

The bottom line is that it's up to the agents on duty at that time to decide what is and what is not allowed, regardless of what has happened in the past. Yes, I've taken my trad rack in my carry-on multiple times in the US and W Europe with no issues, but I realize that's never a guarantee. I've always checked in my rope b/c it seems like a more obvious risk. Per the TSA website The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

I've had no problems with a rack in carry-on in Geneva, throughout Latin America, and throughout the US. Occasionally an agent might look at it, but usually not. I've also accidentally carried my rescue kit piranha-type or nut tool knife on a few times without them noticing it mixed in with the rack, though that is in the "irrelevant data point" category.

Marc801 wrote: Perhaps I used a poor example since climbing gear other than pointy stuff is on the allowed carry-on list in the US. However, your nut tool may or may not be allowed, depending on the TSA agent looking at your bag. Things like that.

100% agree. Same goes for chalk bag.

I think the airports themselves also play a part. At JFK, TSA always inspects my pack, does a bomb swab test and let my go. When I went to JTree via Burbank, I had to check my gear at the security checkpoint because the guy didn't understand what the gear are for. He said my locker can be used as brass knuckle.

Bummer! I flew out of Dublin with a rack and everything was still there. Although I did find a search receipt wrapped around an illegal parcel at the bottom of my gear bag haha.

Several years ago my wife and I flew back to NY from EPC via Monterrey. One of our souvenirs was a 10-lb metate in the shape of a pig. Wishing to keep it damage-free, I tried to bring it through in my carry-on....

big red flag there!

The agents insisted that it had to be checked, as we could use it as a bludgeon to knock out the pilot and crew (the head guy simulated bonking someone on the head with it like a coconut).

I thought they were having a joke on us at first...and it took a while before I realized their seriousness.

So be wary of bringing your favorite cobble on the next flight!