Tips for travelling with your chips (1 Viewer)

[k9dr]

I once flew with my Mapes set on Southwest and planned to carry them on. Unfortunately, I was in the late B boarding zone and all the overhead bin space was full so they said they would need to check them. I said no way and proceeded to rearrange some bags to make them fit. They were not happy with me.

 

[Mr Tree]

Tom how do you feel about oiling 1600 chips

Lol I would do it but you might want to check the production schedule first. If these are done in December I imagine you'd get itchy having them sit at the post for months!

 

[atomiktoaster]

I was going to suggest the firearms route as well - I've checked firearms for years and never really had an issue. In many cases TSA will do the case inspection right there with you present. Then you put your lock on and they mark the bag as cleared so it'll never be opened again. One time I was traveling with several laptops, meaning most had to be checked. I was able to sweet talk the airline employee into letting me have that second case inspected by TSA as well even though it didn't have my firearm. The TSA guy couldn't have been more accommodating.

A starter pistol is a great idea but I'd still be very, very leery of trying to check into an airport in NY, NJ, or MD with one.

Maybe an orange flare gun would cause a little less worry?

 

[Toby]

Something like a Pelican 1510 might be a good option. Once you get above 1000 chips, it's really nice to have something that rolls.

Also, since I assume you'll want to carry these on board, be prepared to spend a little extra time with both the BWI and ATL TSA agents

I just got a 1510. I'm in the process of working out what to do with the foam. It'd really help if I didn't have kids running about screaming. Kinda hard to concentrate

Here's my case that holds 1000 chips, which I stuck inside a regular carry-on (with just enough room for a single change of clothes).

So for any more than 1000 chips, I think you'd want something like that dedicated Pelican.

This demonstrates a very healthy function:gambol ratio. Bravo, sir!

 

[DJ Mack]

Maybe an orange flare gun would cause a little less worry?

Perhaps, but my experience and that of others I trust has been that airport law enforcement in these states tend to give people a real hard way to go over anything resembling a firearm or that could be used as a weapon, notwithstanding federal or state law to the contrary. At the end of the day even if the law is on your side they can cause all sorts of inconveniences like missed flights while they "sort it out."

NY and NJ in particular are the worst for two reasons. First, they tend to interpret overriding federal statutes like LEOSA and FOPA however is convenient for them and consider everyone suspect. Second, they have policies requiring law enforcement to be part of the firearms in checked baggage process, which guarantees a law enforcement interaction. While it may not be illegal to possess a flare gun in New York, it's certainly illegal to possess a weapon. What exactly are you going to say when they demand to know why you're carting a flare gun around in New York despite not owning a boat or even going on a boat ride during your trip? Clearly you brought it along to carry as a concealed weapon... Meanwhile, your flight leaves in an hour and you just want to get your damn poker chips checked and be on your way.

In most other states when you check a firearm the transaction is between you, the airline and TSA. Local law enforcement is not involved unless something is horribly wrong. Even then, if law enforcement got involved in a state like Texas you might be delayed while the officer chews you out for carrying a toy and strongly advises you to bring the real deal next time you visit.

 

[Ronoh]

Or just have CPC send them to the Post. That way you only have to ship them back

I tried to do this with the Pillage & Plunders when I got shipping notice to arrive the day before WCB but the chips had already left the building

 

[krafticus]

Each of us Marylanders can include 400 chips in our carry on bags.. thus lightening the load.

Problem solved.

 

[Adam Crowley]

Its about a ten hour drive I think. probably a little too long, although maybe I can convince my brother to drive...

I'm Australia that's just around the corner

 

[viet rounder]

I've traveled with my chips on numerous occasions and, every time, I've always carried them on board.

When your chips go through the scan it will definitely be questioned. The scanner sees a roll of cylinder tubes stacked in perfect order. For this reason I usually open up my case before it goes through the scanner just to show that they are chips and not some sort of explosive or harmful mechanical device. I find this speeds up the process.