Lightsaber Question -- Check-In or Carry-on?

I am making a Jedi costume for my 11 year old for Halloween. My husband is helping him make a lightsaber. We are going to be going to Disney World and taking the costume with us for the Halloween Party.

My question is, when you take your lightsaber, do you pack it in your check-in luggage or carry it on? It will only be the hilt.

Sorry if this is posted somewhere else. I looked back 4 pages and didn't find anything.



sg edit: changed thread title to better reflect the discussion
S_S edit: just unlocking

 

I wouldn't take any chances, as the inspectors nowdays seem to have even less sense of humor than ever before. I'd check it. Even if it disappears from your luggage, it's only cost you the price of the materials and your time building it.

(There was a commercial that was made, I think, for "Jedi Power Battles" that showed the average guy going through airport security. The lady x-rays his carry-on, activates the lightsaber - it happens to be a real, working saber - and tells him he has to check it.)

 

<raises eyebrow> X Rays turning it on? LOL Opps. "Thats the eigth bag and 4th machine I've gone through this month."

heheh Eventhough X rays couldn't turn one of those one, still sounds funny.

 

Sorry - I meant that she x-rayed the package which showed the saber, so she took it out of the bag and activated it.

 

I would definately check it with the luggage. In July I went to Japan and while there purchased a replica Ninja sword for my brother-in-law. It wouldn't fit in my suitcase so I checked it as my 2nd piece of luggage (sword was in a cardboard box).

When I got to the security/check-in counter I was standing at the end of the conveyor belt and was able to see the box with sword inside go through the x-ray machine. It was very funny to see a sword pop up on the screen in the mix of suitcases . I still had to wait for security to come over and verify the blade wasn't real before they put it on the plane.

 

Thanks everyone. I will put it in our checked luggage.

 

I would not take any chances. Mail ahead.

 

Has anyone had one stollen from their luggage?

I guess I could send it ahead, but then I would have to send it back home too.

 

Not a lightsaber, but...
A close friend bought me the MR Jango Blasters on ebay. He is in the US, I am in the UK. He flew from JFK and brought them over when he came to visit and put them in the checked luggage. He had all of the certificates that stated they were replicas and not real weapons but all the security guys cared about was playing with them (in my friend's presence). I'd check the lightsaber but if security wants to examine your luggage keep an eye on them!

 

The airport that we leave from doesn't have the X-ray machines out in the open like some airports. You check your luggage at the curb or the counter and don't see it again until you arrive where your going. I guess it is not that big a deal if it gets taken, my son would just be disappointed.

 

When I fly, I fly international. I've never had a problem with props (lightsaber hilts/blades, blasters) as long as everthing was checked. I've also never had anything confiscated. I've actually had more trouble with items sent in the mail then taken on a plane.

If you have any doubts about an item, call the airline, describe the item to them and ask if it's okay.

 

Flying from Seattle to ComicCon in San Diego one of our party put his Parks lightsaber in his carry on. Had no problem at all.

 

Interesting - they don't allow any type of edged tools/weapons, but would allow essentially a bludgeoning weapon.

 

I just wanted to update everyone about what happened with taking the lightsaber on the plane.

The flight from DC to Orlando we packed the lightsaber in a carry on bag. They opened up the bag and searched it, we explained with the laightsaber was and they let us go. They suggested that on our return flight we take it out of the bag and tell them what it was.

Security at Orlando was difficult. We took the lightsaber out of the bag and placed it with the camcorder and cameras. They told us we had to check it in our luggage, which had already been checked. We told them that we didn't have anything else we could check, they wanted us to throw it away. We told them that security at IAD told us to take it out, they said that they didn't care. By this time mt husband was pretty upset. It took us about 30 minutes for them to let us through security with it. They told us to put it away and not take it out until we were home.

 

I've heard other stories like this before. You were lucky that you weren't denied boarding since you 'argued' with them over it. I always recommended that replica weapons of any kind be checked. And yes a lightsaber IS a replica weapon. It is actually a REAL weapon too since it can be used to bludgeon airline staff. Most security WILL view it that way.

 

Yes, security can be assinine.
Bludgeoning with a lightsaber? I dont' think most people would want to subject their props to that kind of abuse. And if security is that dumb, they deserve to be bludgeoned.
Also, lightsabers are replicas of fantasy weapons. Hardly the same thing as a replica of a real weapon (like a sword or gun). So really, they have no ground to stand on.

On another note: Luggage that is checked in is only allowed to weigh so much without an added fee. The only exception to this is Golf clubs. Now, fencing gear can be just as heavy, but is not allowed the exemption. Why? Are the airlines biassed against fencers? Golf is just as much, if not more, of an elitist hobby. Also, a golf club is a much more dangerous implement than a fencing sword, as all 3 styles of sword are designed NOT to hurt people. (Ok, whip arround can bruise and whelt, but the same force with a club with crush and shatter bones!)

There is no logic in use with those who make policies, and even less so with those that enforce them. Policy makers and enforcers should just be gelded so that they can no-longer taint the gene-pool.

 

"So really, they have no ground to stand on."

They have every ground to stand on.

They have the arbitraty right to deny you the flight for any reason that pertains to security on that flight. It's in the interests of public safety. If you argue the point, they are within their rights to throw you off the flight and bar you as a troublemaker and your money will NOT be refunded. Sue 'em later if you like, but you'll lose in the courts in this post 9/11 climate.

If it LOOKS anything like a weapon or can be used as such and I don't care if it's a replica or a fantasy weapon, CHECK IT! KNITTING NEEDLES are NOT even allowed on flights for heavens sake!!! Why would a long heavy metal object, capable of doing serious damage to someone's head if it landed in the wrong hands, be allowed on in carry-on??? That is what security is looking at, NOT necessarily what you may or may not do with your prop. They are NOT taking a selfish point of view in this, they are looking at the bigger picture of safety as a whole.

After 9/11 you'd think people would be more sensitive to security issues on airplanes. For God's sake that was THREE years ago and people are still acting stupid about what goes into carry-on. You'd think by now people would get with the program!!! The rules are NOT hard to follow!!

Golf clubs are not legally defined as a WEAPON, unlike swords and foils, so they are treated differently by airlines. There is sense in the distinctions! Weapons are treated one way, everything else another. Those are the rules. If you don't like it then don't fly!!! It's really that SIMPLE!!

I fly...A LOT, and I see people doing a lot of stupid things at security gates. I truely feel sorry for the underpaid and harrased security personnel at airports. They're doing their jobs to keep YOU safe. It's up to YOU to do your part in following a few simple rules without whining about it.

SHEESH!!

 

I'm gonna say yes, as long as you prove it's fake.

 

Well, I'll agree that a lot of people try to do stupid stuff at the airport. And they do treat the security personnel undeservedly poorly.

However, I gotta disagree with you on a couple of points.

Fencing gear IS sporting equipment. It has 0 combat value. And, as such, why should it be treated differently when you are checking it in? It's going in the same cargo hold. It's not like trying to bring the equipment with you into the passenger cabin.

Also, even the beefecd up security is a joke. It does not actually provide real safety against someone Determined to sacrifice his/her life to kill people. There is NO way to stop someone like that. All it does is provide the illusion of safety.
The only way to come close to guarenteeing safety is for every passenger to submit to a strip search, and every single piece of luggage to be thuroughly searched and monitored the entire time it is in the airport. You are not going to be able to enforce that within the US, which (because it has no train system worth speeking of for 95% of the country) acts as the main interstate (and in some cases intra-state) transport system. Other countries have real security. When one passenger in the Sudan couldn't open his suitcase, the other passengers were given the decision on whether or not he was allowed on the plane. And this was in the 1960's, long before anyone took hijacking seriously.
Chopsticks aren't illegal. Even if they are, they're wood. So are pencils. You can sharpen them with a plastic pencil sharpener and turn them into lethal weapons.
For some reason, security sometimes sees fit to confiscate superglue out of checked luggage. Why? it isn't pressurized. It's checked, so it's not like it can be misused on a flight. Even if it is still sealed in the packaging, they sometimes take it out. What on earth for?

I don't fly anymore, unless there is absolutely no choice (have to go to a fencing tournament to hawaii next year). Between the idiot passengers and the "security" measures, it just isn't worth it 90% of the time. (As a 6'2 male, I always seem to get extra attention).

 

Why couldn't Lucasfilm just make it easier by giving us tags which are OK'd by all airports to put on lightsabers and blasters? After C3, for example, the Indianapolis Airport can keep an eye out for them, and make it speedier to fly back out to wherever you're going. What a happier world it would be! Personally, I haven't had trouble explaining what a lightsaber was and checking it, both from C1 and C2.

 

All that 'asinine' security has kept burning aircraft out of skyscrapers and shopping malls. You may think I over exaggerate, but do I? 4 airliners and 3000 people died because of some fanatics with box cutters. I can think of a half a dozen ways to make a "toy" lightsaber a lethal weapon, beyond using it as a bludgeon. Who's to say that your Park Saber hasn't been modified into a Taser or similar? How about sharpening the edge of that aircraft grade aluminum, concealing it beneath rubber grips and making it a handy mayhem weapon? You see my point?

I'm one of the "good guys", and I can come up with these things off the top of my head. I don't dwell on evil and killing people for my causes. There are those out there that do, and not just al Qaida operatives, and I for one am VERY glad that the airport security is a pain in the a$$ to passengers with odd items in their carry-on bags.

I wish the world was a safe place, but it isn't. It never was.

If you're going to bring props via plane, take the extra time to get there early, and explain what you've got. Go in with a level head and a friendly attitude. These people deal with cranks all day long, don't make it worse for them. Their job is to prevent dangerous items from endangering their aircraft and passengers, and their pay is lousy. Smile, say thank you, you know. Be courteous. It will not only further your cause, it will reflect well on fans in general.

God, I hate when I get talky... Everybody already knows this stuff! Summation: Use common sense and common courtesy.

See you at CIII!

 

Point taken. I forgot to mention that previously I brought pictures of Anakin wearing & holding the lightsaber to show security what it is (just in case they've been living under a rock). Also, the WAY you pack it could make it look suspicious; say placing it in a MR foam-padded case w/ the Star Wars logo on it, vs. bubble wrap with masking tape around it. Just my two cents.

 

exactly. Fly...casual!

That is a good point-- if you have something you expect will be opened, don't have it balled up in half a mile of tape and bubble pack.

 

Busting your chops for a saberhilt is just crazy.

Then again all of this airline security is getting crazy anymore. There was an report done around here recent where a reporter ran carry on bags through an airport security check. One had nailclippers and emory-board. The rest had knives, small caliber pistol, and toys guns, gun shaped lighters, etc.... Guess which one got nailed? The fricken nail clippers.

Then on a prop note, a story relayed on a toy messageboard I frequent from about 9 months or so ago. Someone was bringing a original Megatron toy home from Japan a few months back. The toy was in it's box and in 'bot mode. Well when they were doing a hand inspection of the luggage in a Chicago aiport the inspector noticed that the back of the box showed the alt-mode (a pistol) for the toy. He order the man to remove the toy, transform it into gun mode and back agian to prove it was a toy; he even pulled the trigger to show it wasn't a working gun. The inspector then called security and they detained the man while the toy was dismantled to confirm it was a not working gun. The man was there 12 hours before they finally let him go and informed him that from no on any such toys would have to be shipped home and not put in his luggage. They did return the 'bot though: in a plastic bag in bit and pieces.

Hell if I wanted to get a weapon on a plane, I can make a couple of calls and tomorrow morning have synthetic blade knives in my mailbox that are guranteed to be invisible to metal-dectors and are completely legal in the USA. If I wanted to drive a 100 miles I'd have them tonight for under $20.00. Though you are obligated to "inform" security if you're carrying the weapon (yeah right). Then really all you need is a can or hairsprey/deoderant and a ignition source and you've got a handy handy flamethrower.

The new airline security is just as ineffective as the old version, they're just putting on a better show for the press and the politicians is all.