For those who plan to take sporting goods on a flight with them, there are some basic considerations. Most sporting goods can be brought along but only as part of a passenger's checked baggage. This includes hockey and lacrosse sticks, baseball and cricket bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski poles, bows and arrows and spear guns. These items are prohibited as carry-on items. For campers, all stoves must be completely free of fuel (even fuel vapor will be cause for rejection). If canisters are residue-free, they can be stowed as checked or carry-on luggage. Scuba divers wishing to transport their tanks either as carry-on or checked baggage can only do so if the regulator valve is completely removed from the tank so that the inside can be visually inspected.
For those who work with their hands and are planning on catching a flight to work, there are some items which require special attention. Power tools, whether cordless or not, are not permitted as carry-on items. This includes drills and any sort of saw. They can be checked, however, as long as they are stowed properly in solid containers so baggage handlers avoid injury. Also on this list would be crow or pry bars of any type, handsaws, hatchets, cattle prods and any hand tool larger than 7 inches.
Sharp objects also pose an obvious risk and should be given due consideration. Sharp objects can be checked but must be properly sheathed so they do not cause injury to baggage handlers. Sharp objects in carry-on baggage will be confiscated. This includes, but is not limited to, razor knives such as box cutters and razor blades outside of a cartridge, knives such as meat cleavers and steak knives, ice axes and picks and swords of any variety, as well as large scissors (over 4 inches). Additionally, multi-tools, such as a Leatherman, are also prohibited.
With the popularity of martial arts on both television and as a form of recreation, many passengers travel to sporting events for competition. But before departing it is wise to understand which items must be checked. In the case of martial arts weapons, this means virtually everything. Do not expect to take any of the following as carry-on items and understand that even showing up at security checkpoints with any of these items is illegal. Nunchakus, throwing stars, kubatons, black jacks, billy clubs, stun guns and any other such weapon will not be permitted as carry-on items under any circumstances.
Contrary to what most believe, firearms and ammunition can be brought on flights but only as checked baggage. Firearms bring with them special requirements, however. All weapons must be declared at the check-in counter. Firearms must not be loaded and should be stowed in lockable, rigid-sided container. Clips and magazines may not be used to store ammunition. Ammunition must be well packed in cardboard, wood or metal boxes. There are very large fines associated with these rules for those who fail to comply.
Items that may not be packed under any circumstance are largely limited to explosive and flammable items as well as chemicals. Flammable items include any type of fuel, such as gasoline, lighter fluid, aerosols, torch lighters, turpentine, paint thinner and flammable paints, as well as strike-anywhere matches. Explosives include gun powder, hand grenades, plastic explosives, flares, dynamite and blasting caps. Chemical items prohibited include chlorine used for pool water treatment, liquid bleach, spray paint, tear gas, fire extinguishers, candles manufactured using gels and gel shoe inserts.
Gels and liquids often cause a fair amount of delay for those catching flights. In general, consolidate all such items in one package to speed up the inspection process and carry these items in limited quantities (3 oz. or less) to avoid delays.
