Electronic Scale in Carry On Baggage -- Will TSA Care?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: 8 Minutes from LGA
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 59

Howdy all.
I like to weigh myself every morning, in the privacy of my room. It's a weight management tool I have used effectively for years. No, I don't like the Gym scale at the hotel, thanks for asking
.
Now that I have to travel for work, I have not been able to weigh myself. I avoid taking my scale with me in my carry-on because I'd rather not deal with a checkpoint goon. It's a standard electronic body scale I bought in a pharmacy.
Are my fears founded? Do you think this is the kind of thing I would get a lot of questions about, since it is not often traveled with?
Thanks for any input.
I like to weigh myself every morning, in the privacy of my room. It's a weight management tool I have used effectively for years. No, I don't like the Gym scale at the hotel, thanks for asking

Now that I have to travel for work, I have not been able to weigh myself. I avoid taking my scale with me in my carry-on because I'd rather not deal with a checkpoint goon. It's a standard electronic body scale I bought in a pharmacy.
Are my fears founded? Do you think this is the kind of thing I would get a lot of questions about, since it is not often traveled with?
Thanks for any input.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS and vicinity
Programs: Former UA 1P
Posts: 3,721
It's a roll of the dice, but I doubt a scale would raise eyebrows. Any screener who causes problems over this would likely find some excuse to harass you regardless of what you were carrying.
If you're concerned, the first few times you travel with it, consider putting the scale, contained in some sort of cloth bag or even an opaque plastic bag, in a plastic bin by itself. That way nobody but the x-ray viewer "sees" the scale, but if TSA freaks out they can secondary-screen the scale without messing with your main bag. That's what I do with my own weird (home-built custom electronics) stuff.
If someone questions you about the scale and you don't want to tell the truth, tell them you use it to weigh your luggage. Seriously. It's totally plausible.
Welcome to FT.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: 8 Minutes from LGA
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 59
If you're concerned, the first few times you travel with it, consider putting the scale, contained in some sort of cloth bag or even an opaque plastic bag, in a plastic bin by itself. That way nobody but the x-ray viewer "sees" the scale, but if TSA freaks out they can secondary-screen the scale without messing with your main bag. That's what I do with my own weird (home-built custom electronics) stuff.
And thanks for the welcome.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,044
Cue Ink and his carry on contents:

Yes, I carry this on in a Pelican 1510. They usually swab it, and should. I don't think your scale will be a problem.

Yes, I carry this on in a Pelican 1510. They usually swab it, and should. I don't think your scale will be a problem.