Delta/JFK THREW OUT Skates

[Skittl1321]

Granted, if you get a surly TSA agent who doesn't know the rules, you're probably SOL.

The rules, on the site that you linked, are that the TSA agent gets to make the final decision, regardless of what lists say.

[julieann]

But skates ARE allowed. Skate blades and knives aren't the same thing. If you look here, skates are not on the banned list and are even show in the photo of allowed items- http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1038.shtm

Granted, if you get a surly TSA agent who doesn't know the rules, you're probably SOL. I am traveling from Boston to Salt Lake City by way of Baltimore on Monday and you bet my skates are coming in my carry on.

I took my skates on a carry on bag; I had the skate guards on and both blades locked together and I had no trouble. This was also with Delta. I guess it depends on what TSA you walk up to.

[FSWer]

Ok. I am not an expert here. But it seems to me that if NO SKATER can board a plane with their skates. OR...AT LEAST be able to TRUST an AIRLINE with skates.....there's something wrong!!! There surely needs to be a change in pollicy (sorry if that's spelled wrong). Skaters should be able to keep their skates in the overhead compartment wrapped up. Were they know they'll be safe. Here's another thing too....and I am surprised the airlines or anyone for that matter hasn't thought of this. But if were talking about skates covered with...Gaurds OR even Soakers. Even if a medal Detector CAN penatrate. Sercurity shouldn't need worry. As that's one reason why Skaters put them on...However if were talking uncovered blades. Then there should be no reason why skaters can't just cover the blades and walk right through. But I'm sure nothing will change untill the airlines get sued by a skater for the above (throwing out skates or etc.).

[Skittl1321]

Then there should be no reason why skaters can't just cover the blades and walk right through.

The reason is that blades can easily be UNCOVERED should someone want to use their skate blades as a weapon.


I can see why TSA would be concerned, but it's ridiculous that it isn't just stated one way or the other. The "I get to make up the rules as I go along" is their clearly written rule, and that just doesn't help.



I do have a question for the poster who said the blades were locked together- for what reason? Was the way to unlock them in your checked luggage? And if it was- wouldn't losing that be the same as losing your skates? (And if it was in your carry on- then what's the point?)

[FSWer]

Are we saying that the BOOT PART can be bought on. But NOT the BLADE? I can understand people possibly using blades as a weapon. But...GIVE ME A BREAK!!! If skaters have their skates in a bag...and even if not. If blades a covered. I'd find it awfully hard to even get the time to uncover skates. For that matter. When was the last time a real professional Skater used her skates as a weapon? The main point here is that Skaters should be able to go on a plane and not have anything thown out.

[julieann]

The reason is that blades can easily be UNCOVERED should someone want to use their skate blades as a weapon.


I can see why TSA would be concerned, but it's ridiculous that it isn't just stated one way or the other. The "I get to make up the rules as I go along" is their clearly written rule, and that just doesn't help.



I do have a question for the poster who said the blades were locked together- for what reason? Was the way to unlock them in your checked luggage? And if it was- wouldn't losing that be the same as losing your skates? (And if it was in your carry on- then what's the point?)

The reason the TSA has a problem with skates being brought on board is the presumed threat the blades may cause. Even though anyone can just get a glass champaign glass from first class and break it, or a piece or silver wear, or a pen...etc and use that as a weapon.

The reason for locking the blades together with the guards on is because no one can get the guards off without unlocking it. The perceved threat is now gone so they let me on with them. Unless you want to beat someone over the head with my skates, but it's highly unlikely. Some hard ass TSA still may see it as a threat but I haven't had a problem so far, and with it being in my carry-on I'm not concerned about loss. They only cost less than $50.00 anyway.

[Skittl1321]

Yes, I get the idea that locking the blades with guards on makes them so that the blade can't be used as a weapon.

My question was- where did you have the key to unlock the blades? Because if it was in your carry on, there is no actual risk reduction, because you could just unlock them should you happen to be an ice skating terrorist, but if it were in your checked luggage (so you can't unlock the skates midflight) then wouldn't losing the checked luggage have the same effect as if you had checked the skates? You wouldn't be able to use them until the luggage is found, because they are locked together.

[julieann]

Yes, I get the idea that locking the blades with guards on makes them so that the blade can't be used as a weapon.

My question was- where did you have the key to unlock the blades? Because if it was in your carry on, there is no actual risk reduction, because you could just unlock them should you happen to be an ice skating terrorist, but if it were in your checked luggage (so you can't unlock the skates midflight) then wouldn't losing the checked luggage have the same effect as if you had checked the skates? You wouldn't be able to use them until the luggage is found, because they are locked together.

My bags are in the cabin with me so there is no risk of lost luggage. My skates were locked with a bike lock, similar to this but smaller. They can be locked with anything I guess but keys and I don't mix I lose keys all the time and the skates would have been rendered useless anyway.

[Skittl1321]

Okay- so if you were a terrorist, you could just unlock them?

So like most things TSA does- it's just false security...

[julieann]

Okay- so if you were a terrorist, you could just unlock them?

So like most things TSA does- it's just false security...

That terrorist would have to be a pretty good at guessing the combination, I guess if the flight were long enough and if I allowed a STRANGER to dig though my luggage!

[Skittl1321]

That terrorist would have to be a pretty good at guessing the combination, I guess if the flight were long enough and if I allowed a STRANGER to dig though my luggage!

If YOU were the terrorist. You know your own combination and have access to your own luggage. I don't think a terrorist is likely to dig through your own luggage- s/he'll bring what s/he needs in their own.

[julieann]

If YOU were the terrorist. You know your own combination and have access to your own luggage. I don't think a terrorist is likely to dig through your own luggage- s/he'll bring what s/he needs in their own.

I guess they figure if they are locked they are safer then not. I don't make the rules I'm just passing on what worked for me.

[FigureSpins]

I've never heard of someone padlocking/cable locking blades together. It's ineffective for anything other than a minor theft deterrent, imo. It would be good at a public session if you had to leave the skates alone for a bit. It might discourage someone from stealing them impulsively, but if they really want those $80 skates, they can just steal them and clip the lock/cable later.

I suspect that the woman whose skates were confiscated in the OP didn't have hard guards on the blades. I'm sure julieann's guards are why they let her bring her skates on the plane, not the over-the-top security system, lol. I said before, JFK/Delta screening let me bring TWO pairs of skates on board. I was up front about what I was carrying in my zippered bag and both pairs had the guards secured with zip ties and the soakers covering those. (Mainly so I didn't lose the soakers.)

I think it's mostly how the skater handles the situation at the gate, what the security level du jour is, and how tired the agent is that determines whether or not they let you bring them as carry-on.

Make sure the guards are secured to prevent the skates hurting someone should they fall out of the overhead.
(They can't take your word for it that you'll put them under your seat.)

Someone has said that they go to the security supervisor first and explain why they have the skates. I just told the screening agent "I'm a figure skating coach and I have two pairs of figure skates in this bag." I unzipped the bag, sent it through on its own into the xray machine. I had the TSA brochure in the same bag, but never needed to use it. I had my PSA and USFSA coach card handy, just in case they needed proof. No one asked.

I don't think they really care how much our skates cost. I don't know what TSA Agents make annually, but telling them that I wear $1,200 skates might make them resentful and it comes across as bragging. Better to just be quiet unless they ask about cost.

Explain that you're going to a competition/show/etc. where you need THESE skates to perform, so you want to keep them with you on board. Offer to gate-check them with the cabin attendants.

If you don't need the skates immediately for your destination, check them.
It's so much easier than hauling them around and worrying about what might happen at the gate.

. A swipe of WD40 on each blade will prevent rust.
. Use guards/ties with the soakers over both, just so the blades are protected well from being tossed about.
. To protect from bad weather or handling, put each skate inside a clear plastic bag.
. Label each skate and the bag multiple times with your name and destination address.
. A note about needing the skates in (destination) would be smart to drive home the point of "these have to get there when I arrive."

I wonder if there's insurance for lost skates? Maybe homeowner's or automobile policy or a travel certificate might cover them?
Not that that's the ideal situation ... if you need your skates when you get there, money six months later doesn't help much.
I know that the airlines compensate if they lose something, so take a picture and save your receipts, but it might not cover the replacement cost, especially if you bought them a while ago or if they were a bargain.

[aliceanne]

I suppose that skate blades could be detached and used as a weapon, but it would be awkward. I've always heard the best weapon if you are attacked by terrorists on a plane is a baseball in a long sock. Do they allow you to bring baseballs on a plane?

You can't guarantee anyone 100% safety in every situation. I think not allowing people to bring common household items and sports equipment in carry-on is a pointless inconvenience.

[GarrAarghHrumph]

As FigureSpins noted, telling the TSA agent the worth of the item wouldn't help. Some swords are worth well over the amount that any custom boot/blade combo could cost, and saying that the sword is worth that much isn't going to get it on the plane. It's not about the worth of the item; it's about what the item is. A $5 sword or a $5,000 sword is still a sword, and likewise, it doesn't matter if your skates are worth $1,200 or $120.

[misskarne]

But skates ARE allowed. Skate blades and knives aren't the same thing. If you look here, skates are not on the banned list and are even show in the photo of allowed items- http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...rial_1038.shtm

Actually, in Australia, skates are NOT allowed. But it's a common sense thing. It's a bit of sharpened metal. Regardless of whether it is covered or not, it's a bit of sharpened metal. Common sense dictates they're going to be hesitant anyway.

[FigureSpins]

Yes, someone said that carry-on skates are not allowed on planes in Australia and several other countries.

The debate in this thread is about the policy in the US. It's basically up to the TSA agents on duty at the moment the skater brings the skates through the security screening area.

The TSA really needs to just make a consistent policy and the airlines need to get rid of the checked bag charges in this case.

[sk8er1964]

I just travelled from Detroit to Salt Lake City and back for the US Adult Nationals (on Delta, although that has no bearing on the TSA security lines). I had absolutely no problems taking my skates on the plane as a carry on. In Detroit I asked the TSA agent where they check your ID if it would be a problem to carry them on and he said no.

In Salt Lake City I actually had two pairs in my carry on because I bought a new pair from a vendor there. Once again they didn't even bat an eye at them. I did, however, get a random draw to have my shoes put through an x-ray.

Nobody else on my flights had a problem either. There were several skaters on each flight.

[Artifice]

Since 9/11 rules have changed for obvious security reasons. Everything that can be considered as a weapon is banished as a carry on in a plane. A skate blade can definitely be considered as a weapon.

Skates should be put in the luggage. One may still want to carry them in the plane but it is at his own risk and responsability toward the security employee who can forbid them.

[Clarice]

I had no trouble, either, carrying my skates to and from Salt Lake City. In Chicago, my bag was taken aside and rescanned - but it wasn't because of the skates in it. It was because of the Stinkeez in my boots! I packed them in my checked luggage on the way home, and the agents in SLC didn't even blink at the skates.