Costuming question

Hey gang,Quick question for anyone who has costumed in the past.

I plan on dressing up as Han for the event and was wondering what I should do when it comes to the gun.Obviously,It's plastic but should I just throw it in with my luggage or notify whomever at the airport and let them know?

 

I do remember reading about that for C5....THIS thread might have something in it that might help. I know there's a thread around here talking about it.

 

I think someone wrote last time, that they put in on top in their checked luggage with a big note saying "prop gun, doesnt work", so when TSA opens the luggage they will see the gun but also the note strait away.

 

Put it in your checked bag if possible and you wont have to worry about hassle of security. And put in an easy-access pocket by it self if possible. When it shows on scanners, they will open your bag to look at the gun. My daughter put her Padme gun underneath clothes and other items and TSA opened the bag and removed things until they got to the toy gun. For return trip home, we put it in outer pocket alone and they didn't open any other compartments.

 

Thanks for all the advice folks! This will be my first Celebration,So I just want to make sure every thing runs smoothly.Even if I am planning to far in advance.

 

There are three ways that this can be accomplished.

1. Drive to the convention, and take it with you.
2. Send it to yourself. It is NOT a firearm, but a replica, and thus is shippable through the mail. Send it to your hotel, care of your name, and ask the hotel to hold for your arrival.
3. You can take it with you--but the more realistic the gun is, the more precautions you will have to take. It must go into your checked baggage; and for safety's sake, declare it to the ticket agent when you turn your bag in. It may be best to put it into a hard sided case by itself. I'm sure that most of you know this--but it bears repeating. Do NOT attempt to take anything that even looks like a firearm or weapon aboard the aircraft with you. TSA will confiscate it, and it will more than likely be destroyed.

When I was traveling to Celebration II, I had a pair of blunt nosed children's scissors--the type you get in grade school--in my carryon. I was questioned extensively by TSA about why I had the scissors. (it was part of a sewing kit!)

If you decide to send any costume items or replica weapons to yourself, make sure you insure the package, and that you get a tracking number.

 

I know I wrote up a "how to fly with your costume" note from last time. One of the stormtroopers who marched in the Rose Parade was a TSA official, so this is what he said:

Wrap your stuff really well (use your T-shirts and other clothes as padding), and then right on top, include a note to TSA with a photo of your armor/costume/props laid out telling them that this is what it is, and this is where you're going with it. The more realistic looking pieces (like prop guns and even lightsabers), try and have them near the top so TSA doesn't have to dig for them. I did this with my X-Wing last year, and it worked fine.