[e90yyc]

I've had a couple small bearings (6202 and 6303) and a slip ring (for alternator rebuild) shipped to my aunt in Oregon who will be visiting in a couple weeks.

Is there any reason to expect a hassle from airport security for having the bearings in carry-on luggage? I realize this is an impossible question to answer definitively—it'll likely depend on the mood of the agent more than anything else—but I wanted to get some opinions before having her bring them up.

I don't foresee any issue with the slip ring: it's a piece of plastic with some copper rings; but the bearings have grease inside of them ("liquid" ), not to mention the word "bearing" could evoke association with some of ball bearings' more malevolent uses.

Having the company ship directly to me in Canada was prohibitively expensive, but if the consensus is that there's a good chance she'll be asked to throw them out, then I'll have her mail them up to me.

Thanks!

[Efthreeoh]

Look like bomb components to me 😂

I'd just mail them.

[Nickco43]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

I've had a couple small bearings (6202 and 6303) and a slip ring (for alternator rebuild) shipped to my aunt in Oregon who will be visiting in a couple weeks.

Is there any reason to expect a hassle from airport security for having the bearings in carry-on luggage? I realize this is an impossible question to answer definitively—it'll likely depend on the mood of the agent more than anything else—but I wanted to get some opinions before having her bring them up.

I don't foresee any issue with the slip ring: it's a piece of plastic with some copper rings; but the bearings have grease inside of them ("liquid" ), not to mention the word "bearing" could evoke association with some of ball bearings' more malevolent uses.

Having the company ship directly to me in Canada was prohibitively expensive, but if the consensus is that there's a good chance she'll be asked to throw them out, then I'll have her mail them up to me.

Thanks!

I have flown with headlights and CIC parts before. I just take everything out when I am at security with little issue. Granted this was with the Philadelphia TSA and they do not care at all. Most trips I go on I bring a jumbo toothpaste that always gets confiscated on the way back. I never get harassed about it at Philadelphia.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Look like bomb components to me 😂

I'd just mail them.

LOL my thoughts exactly...

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

I have flown with headlights and CIC parts before. I just take everything out when I am at security with little issue. Granted this was with the Philadelphia TSA and they do not care at all. Most trips I go on I bring a jumbo toothpaste that always gets confiscated on the way back. I never get harassed about it at Philadelphia.

Thanks for the input!

Currently on the fence. If it weren't for the "ball bearing" aspect of it, I'd think nothing of it. I could instruct her to just refer to them as car parts, but I'd be pretty chapped if they made her throw them out...

[e90yyc]

This makes me think it should be okay... At least I'm hoping.

You know: there's no better way to get your way with TSA than to refer the intervening agent to a "Travel Tips Tuesday" bulletin.... err, briefing...

https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2013/06/18/...-vehicle-parts

[Explorerlyon]

My son just got on an airplane with his longboard (skateboard). That has bearings like your picture. I do not know why bearings would be any issue in a carry on.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Explorerlyon

My son just got on an airplane with his longboard (skateboard). That has bearings like your picture. I do not know why bearings would be any issue in a carry on.

Agree 100%, but the TSA is not governed by reason...

[Emilime75]

Have her get to security early enough, that if they give her static, she has time to check the bag?

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

It's fine. They have a 95% failure rate of catching anything.

[krhodes1]

I have carried FAR stranger things, mostly computer bits and bobs, through airport security with no issues. Though the thing that got the most scrutiny was a small box of N-scale model railroad track and switches! No problem getting it in, but they dug it out of my luggage and wanted to know what it was. Must have looked really odd on the X-ray screen.

I doubt they will even notice some small bearings.

[Ozzie335i]

At some airports there is a place by security where you can mail stuff to yourself that you are not allowed to carry on. This would include stuff such as C4 and long knives.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

I have carried FAR stranger things, mostly computer bits and bobs, through airport security with no issues. Though the thing that got the most scrutiny was a small box of N-scale model railroad track and switches! No problem getting it in, but they dug it out of my luggage and wanted to know what it was. Must have looked really odd on the X-ray screen.

I doubt they will even notice some small bearings.

Originally Posted by Ozzie335i

At some airports there is a place by security where you can mail stuff to yourself that you are not allowed to carry on. This would include stuff such as C4 and long knives.

Thanks for the input guys!

I did a bit more digging and TSA says car parts are fine. They'll be in original boxes too.

My GF and I once brought a hefty, solid glass art piece back from Hawaii. I caught a glimpse of the x-ray screen: it was just a big, ominous black blob. Needless to say we had to take it out.

I'll remind her to mail my alibaba sword and C4!

[JM98]

I took a differential in carry on without issue - just had to make sure it was drained

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by JM98

I took a differential in carry on without issue - just had to make sure it was drained

Hummm....

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Hummm....

One dead after differential falls from overhead bin, striking passenger on the head.

- New York Times

[JM98]

Originally Posted by e90yyc

One dead after differential falls from overhead bin, striking passenger on the head.

- New York Times

I didn't think of it that way, probably irresponsible on my part looking back at it (I was in my early 20s). TSA didn't even look in the suitcase.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Ozzie335i

At some airports there is a place by security where you can mail stuff to yourself that you are not allowed to carry on. This would include stuff such as C4 and long knives.

Some airports have a display of the stuff that people tried to carry on, couldn't, and left behind. One airport (ATL, maybe?) had a weedwhacker in among all the knives and swords!

[MightyMouseTech]

They are just bearings, why would TSA even give a rats ass about them?

[dmatre]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

They are just bearings, why would TSA even give a rats ass about them?

Because as soon as you let someone carry on bearings, others will want to carry nail clippers. Can't have that.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

They are just bearings, why would TSA even give a rats ass about them?

Bomb projectiles....?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by dmatre

Because as soon as you let someone carry on bearings, others will want to carry nail clippers. Can't have that.

Just don't do what I did, and forget you had your pocket knife with a 6" blade, and a corkscrew, in your carry on. They don't have a sense of humour about that.