Are you a builder, electrician, plumber or tradesman? If so, it is likely that you have grown used to taking your tools where-ever you go. But what happens when you need to fly somewhere and take your tools with you? Whether you are traveling for business purposes or not, it is important to know that the airline industry has a stringent set of air travel rules concerning tools. If you are planning on brining your tools along with you, you will want to take the time to research current rules and regulations. Doing so may prove helpful, in more ways than one.
More Info: Traveling With Electrical Goods
The first step is to identify which tools you absolutely cannot take on an aircraft. Most airlines do not strictly prohibit you from taking tools in your baggage, but they do restrict you from carry them at certain times. For instance, you will find that a large number of tools can be stored in your checked baggage, but most tools are obviously rohibited from being stored in your carryon baggage. If, at anytime, you are confused about these bans, you are advised to contact your airline for additional information.
The main category are items such as sharp instruments that may pose a threat to the safety of others. With the recent focus on airport security, you should already be well aware of this type of ban. Saws, saw blades, drills, and box cutters are banned from all airplane cabins. Essentially, this means that you can't take these items in your carryon baggage; however, they can be packed in your checked baggage. Since all baggage, including the bags that you do not plan on keeping with you at all times, needs to be searched, you are advised to properly secure these tools. By packing tools insecurely and unsafely, you are putting the safety of airport baggage handling staff at risk - Unsecured tools are also more likely to become damaged along the journey, there's no point taking your tools if they're broken when you arrive at your destination!
In addition to items with sharp edges, there is a blanket ban on any item that may be used as a deadly weapon. These tools include many chemicals and liquids, cattle prods, hammers, and crowbars. This ban is mostly imposed due to the size and weight of these items. As with most other tools, the airline industry will allow you to store these heavy tools in your checked baggage.
Although it may seem as if all tools are banned from being taken on the plane as carry-on baggage, that is not nessacarily the case. There are a number of tools can be stored in your carryon baggage. These tools commonly include screwdrivers and pliers. Additional tools may also be allowed, but they must not have been mentioned above. It is also required that these tools be no more than seven inches long. In all cases, it is best to simply pick up the phone and check what you are and are not allowed to take on the plane before ahead of time.
Despite the fact that certain tools can be stored in your carryon baggage, it may be a good idea to put these items in your checked baggage or leave them at home. Even though these items are allowed, you will likely alert security by carrying your tools on the plane. That suspicion may not necessity come from airport security officials, but it may come from other passengers. As with any air-travel, it is always best to practice caution and general logic; If you don't really need your tools with you on the plane (as carry on luggage), simply check them in and avoid any hassle.
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