14 replies to this topic

[Death]

Since I leave for Cali (and there-hence, Armageddon) on Friday, I decided to check into airline restrictions on those items which can or cannot be brought aboard an aircraft-- especially in regards to Nerf Guns.

According to the latest document on Permitted and Prohibited Items on the Transportation Security Administration's website, toy weapons (so long as they are not realistic replicas) are permitted both in Carry-On and Checked baggage. That makes things a tad simpler for many of us concerned about flying with our guns.

[Jakethesnake]

Yeah, buth they are referring to a stock toy gun. They probably wouldn't, but might confiscate a modded gun just because it "looks" to be like something dangerous. There's not much metal on the guns so that might deter them.

[Death]

Yeah, buth they are referring to a stock toy gun. They probably wouldn't, but might confiscate a modded gun just because it "looks" to be like something dangerous. There's not much metal on the guns so that might deter them.

This is true. I am sure they would have a much different reaction to, say, a modded Crossbow than they would with a Nitefinder.

[ET87]

I'de just put it all in my checked bag, they seem to be less strict about that.

[cxwq]

I would also suggest checking them. Better to get it taken care of up front when you check your bag in than have to answer questions about your guns during a spot check at the gate. Now when you check your bags they run it through an xray right in front of you so you can address any issues they have.

They're also going to be a whole lot calmer about a 'gun' that you can't touch in the cargo hold than a 'gun' under your seat.

[Groove]

That's some handy information. I didn't know they were allowed in carry-ons.

Since I have been plagued with the unfortunate lost baggage many of times whilst flying, I have shipped my guns and ammo out in advance and haven't bothered with stowing them in checked baggage. Since my father has a morphine pump and an electronic pain diffuser in his abdomen, I've witnessed many airport security freakouts when they don't know what they're dealing with, or rather, are surprised and confused on how to deal with things. So I just played it safe this year.

-Groove out.

[Langley]

Good call. They're not as likely to freak out if you put your guns in checked baggage, but I'm pretty sure the cargo hold or parts of the cargo hold can get really really cold or they can depressurize, because they tell you not to put any aresol cans in your checked baggage. You wouldn't want to get there and find out all your o-rings are cracked or all your air tanks are ruptured....

::goes and contemplates the practicality of a barometrically powered nerf gun::

[Namm]

I'm pretty sure cargo holds are pressurized, and I agree that checking your guns is the way to go.

[Grumschnitz]

You could always take your gun apart and tape all the non-metal bits to your body. Leaving just the spring in your carry-on luggage.
Although imagine trying to explain to airport security why on earth you wanted to smuggle a toy gun onto the plane...

[MFRnync]

Check the nerf gune&gear you bring absolutley. You may also want to consider declaring to the security personell screening your luggage what it is you have in your bag. Even though nerf guns are harmless they could freak an unkowing luggae monitor out. I was once questioned over my nebulizer . For those of you who dont know what that is , it is a large machine which delivers medication to the body in the event of an asthma attack.

[merlinski]

Good call. They're not as likely to freak out if you put your guns in checked baggage, but I'm pretty sure the cargo hold or parts of the cargo hold can get really really cold or they can depressurize, because they tell you not to put any aresol cans in your checked baggage. You wouldn't want to get there and find out all your o-rings are cracked or all your air tanks are ruptured....

::goes and contemplates the practicality of a barometrically powered nerf gun::

Even if the hold is depressurized, the difference in pressure between atmospheric pressure and the cargo hold isn't going to be more than 10 psi, which is something even the weakest nerf air tanks are capable of storing. Your guns would be fine.

I'd definitely say check the bags. Security personnel love to look like they're doing their job, which means questioning you extensively at the least and possibly confiscating the guns.

[The Anarchy Department]

My dad is an airline pilot for United, so I shall tell you people some stuff.

-The pressure difference is far more than 10 pounds p.s.i.. The first jet airliner, the BOAC Comet, initially had problems due to structural failure from pressure.

-The cargo hold is pressurized. If you look at the floor of an airliner, especially near the walls, you can tell that the floor isn't solid. The seats are all screwed to pallets, so you can change the class configuration, or, in some cases, revenue type (passenger or cargo). What it boils down to is that instead of being separate "rooms", a more appropriate analogy is that of a single "room" with a partition.

-The cargo hold is also heated for the same reason. The landing gear wells, however, are not, as a Pakistani man learned when he tried to flee the country by stowing away in an airliner. He froze to death.

The overall lesson here is that your Nerf guns are safe in checked baggage.

~TAD, your favorite little screaming man.

[merlinski]

My dad is an airline pilot for United, so I shall tell you people some stuff.

-The pressure difference is far more than 10 pounds p.s.i.. The first jet airliner, the BOAC Comet, initially had problems due to structural failure from pressure.

-The cargo hold is pressurized. If you look at the floor of an airliner, especially near the walls, you can tell that the floor isn't solid. The seats are all screwed to pallets, so you can change the class configuration, or, in some cases, revenue type (passenger or cargo). What it boils down to is that instead of being separate "rooms", a more appropriate analogy is that of a single "room" with a partition.

-The cargo hold is also heated for the same reason. The landing gear wells, however, are not, as a Pakistani man learned when he tried to flee the country by stowing away in an airliner. He froze to death.

The overall lesson here is that your Nerf guns are safe in checked baggage.

~TAD, your favorite little screaming man.

Thanks for the clarification, tho you're wrong about the pressure difference. I was also off in my earlier guess. At 35,000 feet, atmospheric pressure is about 3.5 psi. At sea level, it's 14.7. So the pressure difference is actually 11.2 psi.

[The Anarchy Department]

My bad. My point remains, though. Airliners made out of aluminum alloys have exploded from pressure-related metal fatigue, but your guns will experience no pressure difference.

~TAD

[DrunkenSloth]

Since I leave for Cali (and there-hence, Armageddon) on Friday, I decided to check into airline restrictions on those items which can or cannot be brought aboard an aircraft-- especially in regards to Nerf Guns.

According to the latest document on Permitted and Prohibited Items on the Transportation Security Administration's website, toy weapons (so long as they are not realistic replicas) are permitted both in Carry-On and Checked baggage. That makes things a tad simpler for many of us concerned about flying with our guns.

I am positive that if you check them that they are allowed to be brought on a plane. I just brought my nerf arsenal via airplane (checked, packaged with care in a nice brown box) from WI to NJ. I do advise calling the airline ahead of time just to make sure (I did) and then telling the person who is checking your bag that it contains plastic toy guns. Also, some of my guns were modded, so that is not a problem. Just make sure to tell the people what you are checking; it worked for me.