The Forum at Handcuffs.Org

Flying with handcuffs

25 visible archived posts · 25 preserved total · topic ID 4003

Mark Lyons 03 Apr 2011

Hi,
Just taking a poll.
How many of you flew with handcuffs in your carry on luggage?
Had the TSA ever denied your bringing them aboard?
Has anyone lost any from their check-in luggage?

I am not bringing any cuffs with me to the show, but I hope I will pick up a piece of two.
I will most likely ship any cuffs to myself and will pack some priority mail boxes in my luggage in case I buy some goodies.

Just curious about experiences you may have had transporting cuffs....especially from our neighbors to the north or oversees.

mark
O--O

ushandcuffs.com 03 Apr 2011

When I flew back from the last Cannon's covention I had five cuffs in my carry on and they didn't say a word. One of the cuffs was a Stotz so I was worried but no problem at all. All of the travel was in the US. I don't think I would try it out of the country.

Another collector that attended the convention had two rare nippers in his check on luggage and they disappeared never to be seen again.

Damon

Gordon 03 Apr 2011

When I came back from Cannon's convention I had a rare handcuff in my
carry on bag. It was standing up side ways for a minimum profile. The x-ray
guy caught it, looked at it and asked his superviser if handcuffs were legal
in carry on. The superviser said yes and that was it.
Gordon

Tom Gross 03 Apr 2011

Long before 9-11 I had some handcuffs in my carry-on bag and was told that I could not carry them on board the airline because they could be used as a weapon. In those more courteous days, the security people merely sealed them in a manilla envelope and gave them to a stewardess and they were returned to me as I left the airplane. You probably should not count on such courtesy these days, and the handcuffs might be confiscated and forfeited, if you had no way to quickly mail them to yourself or hand them off to a friend who was seeing you off. There is no way that I would take that chance in this day and age.

One safe way to transport the cuffs would be to ship them to yourself, at your destination, and then ship them back.

There is another alternative, of course; packing them in check-through luggage. But there is always that risk of theft. If you do a web search on "TSA Theft", you'll get about 10,000 hits. There are plenty of thieves in uniform infesting our airports. But, for domestic flights, I have adopted a plan which has, at least so far, been very successful.

First, understand the difference between TSA and Homeland Security, and in particular the Inspector General's Office of Homeland Security. This latter agency is the one which monitors TSA effectiveness, and does such things as try to smuggle phony bombs through TSA check points (with, regrettably, remarkable success!). TSA hates and fears the Inspector General's Office. So, if you ever do have a complaint to file, don't even bother filing one of the TSA in house complaint forms. Like your typical police department, they will cover for each other. The Inspector General's Office, on the other hand, LOVES to catch TSA agents who are criminals. File your complaint there. The above distinction is important because of a notice which I have composed, and which I put on top of the contents of my suitcase on all domestic flights. I copy below the text. The large and highlighted fonts did not show up here, but you'll get the idea.

(begin quote)
To Anybody Thinking About

Stealing My Property

PLEASE READ

Every item of value in this suitcase has been photographed and the serial numbers recorded. In the event that anything is stolen I SHALL NOT file a complaint with TSA, which might possibly be inclined to cover up crimes committed by its agents. I shall, instead, file a criminal complaint with the FBI, for theft of goods in interstate transit and a complaint with the Inspector Generals Office of the Department of Homeland Security. And I shall write my Senators.

The TSA administration might actually welcome the opportunity to ingratiate itself with the Senate by demonstrating that it is willing to bring its own agents to justice.

Thank you for your attention.
(end quote)

So, are you worried about being hassled by some badge-heavy TSA guy, for daring to imply that any of them are thieves? Just ask him why he even read the notice. After all, it wasn't addressed to him, UNLESS HE WAS PLANNING ON STEALING YOUR STUFF! Then demand to see a supervisor and mutter something about the Senate needing to hear about this kind of abuse.

Now, about the reference to the Senators. Have you ever written one or more of your Senators, complaining about a government agency? Talk about fear! You can equate a complaint with the Inspector General's Office of Homeland Security with pulling up a tank. Involving the Senate is like dropping the big one! Your Senator, of course, will never read the complaint. But one of his aids will forward it to the director of the agency involved. And from there ... well, you remember what flows downhill. The average TSA agent will be too stupid to understand what this means; his supervisor WILL understand.

Good Luck!

Dorson 04 Apr 2011

I am going ot keep that in mind the next time I travel as I already had the idiots at TSA go dig through my luggage in LAX when I was in transit from Yuma, AZ to Harrisburg, PA. Because of there inability to identify a nipper which is not threat but still caused the luggage not make the flight and at the airlines expense had to pay a courier to deliver it the next day. I know if I was the airlines, I would be bitching because of the expense of paying a courier because they are clueless wonders. Apparently they are good at screening people in Yuma, AZ but they don't scan luggage. So it seems there are some big holes in security at the smaller airports.

Ron Spitz 04 Apr 2011

Dorson--Now my nipper has a more interesting history.

Ron

Fred 04 Apr 2011

Coming home from LAX after attending The L.A. Conference on Magic History
I had brought a pair of Thayer gimmicked Bean Cobb cuffs with the oringial pick TSA was kind enough to leave the cuffs but helped themselves to the pick

Martin 05 Apr 2011

Hi,

I haven't had handcuffs in my carry-on so far, and I know that at some european airports they are/were listed as prohibited items.

BUT: thanks to Lady Gaga we now know that the TSA allows handcuffs! I would recommend bringing a printout of this official TSA Blogs posting in case you want to be sure (Better leave out the comments, though):
http://blog.tsa.gov/2010/09/lady-gagas- ... s-tsa.html

"Some assumed handcuffs were prohibited, and were very surprised to find out theyre not. Why not, you might ask? Theyre not a threat. You cant do any real damage with a pair of handcuffs and if you really wanted to tie someones hands behind their back, there are many other ways you could do it."

This sounds unrealistic reasonable for the TSA, but it's what they say. The linked "test" tool also says:

Search Results For:
handcuffs
Check or Carry-on
You may transport this item in carry-on baggage or in checked baggage.

So: happy flying!

And report of your successes, especially when bringing more than one or two pairs, I assume that could raise some interest at the checkpoint...

Greetings,
Martin

Bruce Thomson 06 Apr 2011

Chicago, 1991, O'Hare airport on my way back home. A last minute purchase of a pair of off the shelf handcuffs (Amer. HC Co) was in my carry on. The screening guard sent me to the basement for security there to package it and ship it in the cargo hold. I was told that it was because of the serrated edge, and that it was considered a weapon for that reason. Since they did not confiscate it as any kind of contraband (like, say, Dean Gunnarson coffee mugs - geez I still can't get over that being confiscated) I was able to pick it up along with my suitcase.

weaseldandaw 06 Apr 2011

#10

I have just returned from the States & on my travels I took a variety of cuffs, keys, picks & locks. All of which I put in my hold luggage. I also had a British Policemans helmet as a gift.
I flew from London to New York, where I declared the items & was allowed to carry on without a hitch. I then flew to San Francisco (minus the helmet) without any problems. Then I went on to Vegas & found a NOTIFICATION OF INSPECTION (NOI) in my luggage. It said it was placed there by COVENANT AVIATION SECURITY, a private company under contract with the TSA, but nothing was removed. Finally back to the UK via San Francisco. I seemed to me that my case had been opened, but there wasn't any NOI.
Still nothing was missing, but I would say to be prepared for the worst & not to carry anything of major value to you.

Steve Santini 06 Apr 2011

#11

I never transport any of value in either my carry on or checked luggage.

On the times I have been in Europe and have found a rare restraint or ancient justice antique I always mail it home to myself. I never put it in my luggage.

This past May I was booked to perform at a festival in Sissach, Switzerland.

The festival organizers booked my flight.

Going there I flew direct to Zurich but coming home it was somehow cheaper to the ticket price for me to tranfer planes in Washington D.C. and then fly on to Toronto.

Prior to leaving Switzerland, the family I was staying with gifted me with about 200 Euros worth of Swiss chocolates to take home to my wife and daughter. They also gave me a few packs of cigarettes I happen to enjoy but cannot find here in Canada.

About an hour before we landed in Washington they came by and asked me to fill out a form for U.S. customs. I imformed them I was just catching a connector to Toronto and my luggage would be checked through.

The flight attendant replied that due to new Homeland Security regulations ALL luggage entering the USA would have to be claimed and then re checked onto any and all connecting flights.

So, being a good boy, I filled out the form and declared the gifts of chocolate and the smokes.

I will not even begin to describe the B.S. and hassles I went through when I actually landed in Washington but I will say that when I finally got home and opened my luggage I was one pissed off camper.

There was a note inside saying my bag had been opened and checked by security officials. That was fine but what the morons did was not.

Numerous chocolate articles had been torn open and bits of broken chocolate had been tossed about in my luggage. These bits had melted all over my packed clothing.

Two boxes of rather expensive chocolates had been stolen as had the cigarettes.

Personally, I would never fly within the USA with anything of value in my luggage. In fact, I would have second thoughts about flying within the USA for at all. It is obvious to me that the "security officers" employed at major U.S. airports are theives.

I have never had anything like this happen to me during any of my numerous flights to and from Europe.

S.S.

Jack.Tanis 06 Apr 2011

#12

Homeland Security = Miniluv (Ministry of Love).

"Big Brother is watching you."

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

grenchat 07 Apr 2011

#13

In all honesty, I have yet to bring a pair of cuffs aboard an aircraft. Of late, just about everything except for clothing items are disallowed. People I know have had nail clippers, moustache scissors, grooming aides and all sorts of innocuous items confiscated in the name of security. Why not just arm the pilot and co-pilot with low-powered pistols? In this way, religious extremists with their own itinerary could join the big wrathful one ahead of schedule and on their own.

On my next flight, I shall bring along an expendable pair of cheap cuffs in my carry-on luggage. If questioned about them, I will explain that I may need them to restrain a would-be underpants bomber that may have evaded CIA interdiction.

Jason

Berry 07 Apr 2011

#14

I fly to differend countrys over the world. several countrys from the Nederlandse Antillen and even to Peru. In my lugets I had alwys more than 10 handcuffs. Even wen customs look into , no questions or problems ever.

Nils 07 Apr 2011

#15

I guess whereas 10 pairs of handcuffs might be fine, just one pair might raise suspicions.

I'd definitely avoid any kind of modern handcuff in my carry-on luggage.

If you go to Thailand (or any vacation country), don't bother to bring any sunscreen. You can pick up boxes of that stuff where passengers go through security and have to dump it.

I'm not sure mailing is so much safer.

Nils

grenchat 07 Apr 2011

#16

"I guess whereas 10 pairs of handcuffs might be fine, just one pair might raise suspicions."

Perhaps they should be offered to all of the passengers.

More fun than a pillow or headphones:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/261154/t ... Handcuffs-

chris 10 Apr 2011

#17

Hi, I fly once or twice a year to the UK from vancouver and have never had a problem yet taking handcuffs in my checked baggage. I did however have a keyring sized pair of cuffs taken by security as i passed through the conveyor/scanner machine!. Having worked at London Gatwick i can attest to the theiving whores that 'work' in the baggage sheds/loading areas of that Airport, in short, don't pack what you can't stand to lose!. I have also seen Handcuffs taken away from a passenger who attempted to bring them on a flight from Vancouver in their carry-on baggage, much to the embarressment of the guys girlfriend/wife..... chris.

Gordon 29 Nov 2011

#18

I was flying with 2 antique handcuffs in my carry on bag. Knowing that they would never make it through the X ray I made it easy and had them on top. I waited for them to say "Sir is this your bag ?" and of course I replied "Yes it is. " Then " Sir come with us." Two agents escorted me to a room. One agent patted me down all over, then checked his gloves on a machine for drug or explosive residue. The other agent checked my luggage but missed a swingthru cuff. I was ok with this, just 2 guys doing their job (and looking important.) But what made me think is, Jees, do I look that suspicious ?

Gordon

John Brown 29 Nov 2011

#19

Probably something that would be more of an interest to Customs rather than TSA or their foreign counterparts is export laws and controls.

To export restraints out of the US often requires an export license to have been granted to technically be a legal activity. Whilst you may think that the cuffs being in your bag and remaining in your personal possession at the final destination is ok, you could be in breach of regulations. I understand that even thumb cuffs cannot be exported from the US to Canada let alone other countries outside of North America.

Seems rare that people have issues with their personal collections in regards to export controls (I haven't heard of a case), and I imagine Customs could view someone's personal collection and be confident it wasn't being provided to a 3rd world regime for torture use, however a well informed Customs agent could be within their rights to prevent the articles leaving the country.

Joshua 29 Nov 2011

#20

Gordon,

Were you able to keep possesion of both your cuffs and keep them in your carry on?

Gordon 29 Nov 2011

#21

John and Joshua
This was a domestic flight of about 1 hour therefore no custom agents in sight. One agent asked me if I was a magician, I said yes and was glad he did not ask to see me escape from the cuffs. The cuffs went back in my bag and I was on my way. I look at this as a sh--y experience, but educational. I am the kind of guy that likes to go with it and see what happens. For instance if stopped by a traffic cop and he asks permission to search your car,say yes. Then watch him, you will learn were they look and don't look.

Gordon

Vince 30 Nov 2011

#22

Never been through the wrath of the TSA ((fingers crossed)), Mainly due to the fact that the only time I've ever been on a plane off the ground was while wearing a headset with my hands on the controls (junior lesson, haha). But the scary part is they (TSA) are being testdummied at select train stations and bus depots. The old saying used to go "If you don't get an education, you'll end-up flippin' burgers at McDonalds". Soon it'll be: "If you don't get an education, you'll end up as a TSA agent, desperatly trying to tell the difference between an eldery woman's colonoscopy bag and something a little more sinister". Training and retraining isn't the half of it, The extra few dollars applied to peoples' tickets called the "9/11 security fee" should go directly in the paychecks of the security personel, so better quality & higher inteligent monkeys could be afforded, ones who wont steal 1" nail files.

Gordon,

Just have to add to your last comment:
When searching a car, police officers are trained to pay attention to the person standing next to their car as it's being searched. They watch the persons manerisms and body language. if the person appears nervous or fidgity while searching a paticular area of the car, you can place money on them searching that area EXTRA well. [[[How to keep an idiot busy for hours... (turn car over), How to keep an idiot busy for...

--Vince

Icman93 30 Nov 2011

#23

Ive done that once to a cop I hate they were searching my.car every where they looked I made them think I looked nervous. It was great of course I didnt have a single thing in my car besides a blank firing gun. Blew the cop away they tried arresting me for it.

Anonymous 30 Nov 2011

#24

Mr.Gross

Let me say this is Brilliant !! as it would make anyone think twice

I copy below the text. The large and highlighted fonts did not show up here, but you'll get the idea.

(begin quote)
To Anybody Thinking About

Stealing My Property

PLEASE READ

Every item of value in this suitcase has been photographed and the serial numbers recorded. In the event that anything is stolen I SHALL NOT file a complaint with TSA, which might possibly be inclined to cover up crimes committed by its agents. I shall, instead, file a criminal complaint with the FBI, for theft of goods in interstate transit and a complaint with the Inspector Generals Office of the Department of Homeland Security. And I shall write my Senators.

The TSA administration might actually welcome the opportunity to ingratiate itself with the Senate by demonstrating that it is willing to bring its own agents to justice.

Thank you for your attention.
(end quote)

Personaly I have had No Problems with carrying of restarints on flights . Air travel in general in this country well IS A MESS !!!!!,
Still on occassion I have forwarded cuff via FedEx and documented them as "Show prop" Its also packed in Large Box as Thiefts on the inside is so im told usually of Small packages and letters (Flat ) that contain valuable documents and at times cash.

Michael Lee

Sarah 14 Dec 2011

#25

Hi All!

Wanted to let everyone know that we had a similar question come up when flying to Minnesota and I called TSA and confirmed that there is absolutely no reason why you could not carry handcuffs in your carry on. We ended up flying with 2 carry-ons with about 4 sets of cuffs and weren't even questioned... Happy Holidays!