Laser pointers through security?
Jan 30, 2007 | 6:16 am
#1
Original Poster
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Laser pointers through security?
I'm giving a presentation next week and I thought I'd carry on my laser pointer. Looks like a pen. Which stupidity should I count on, the one which goes 'ah, that's a pen, it's okay" or the one which goes "it's a weapon, it's a weapon!"
Is there a policy on laser pointers?
This one has some sentimental value as it was given to me by a group of people I worked with. Any chance of confiscation?
Is there a policy on laser pointers?
This one has some sentimental value as it was given to me by a group of people I worked with. Any chance of confiscation?
Jan 30, 2007 | 6:24 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K; SPG Gold
Posts: 414
I've got a nice compact laser pointer on my keychain. It's gone through "security" at many different airports in the last 2 years without problem. To date, on only a single occasion did anyone bother looking at my keys (which also have a USB fob and some random other things other than keys on the keyring).
Jan 30, 2007 | 6:29 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: MSP (and will only fly NWA in re-routes if I HAVE to)
Programs: AA EXP (4.5MM), hotel programs as needed
Posts: 5,800
Travel with my pen-sized laser pointer every week.
During summer travel with a key-chain sized pointed on those keys.
NEVER had any TSA issues. Never even been questioned about it .. tho I do carry a lot of pens ..they never have taken the pointer out and looked at it.
Also do a fair amount of international travel and again never had a proplem there. FRA security in November was the most grueling I have ever seen and they did not even notice the laser pointer.
During summer travel with a key-chain sized pointed on those keys.
NEVER had any TSA issues. Never even been questioned about it .. tho I do carry a lot of pens ..they never have taken the pointer out and looked at it.
Also do a fair amount of international travel and again never had a proplem there. FRA security in November was the most grueling I have ever seen and they did not even notice the laser pointer.
Jan 30, 2007 | 5:58 pm
#6
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Oct 16, 2007 | 8:26 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Discoverist, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador
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How about the portable laser measurer... our company will be doing some work in Germany and not sure if it's allowed as carry-on. Says it's a Class IIIa laser... specifically a Stanley TLM 100 unit.
Any help or can you point me to any TSA literature, would be appreciated.
Any help or can you point me to any TSA literature, would be appreciated.
Oct 16, 2007 | 9:56 am
#9
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Oct 16, 2007 | 10:06 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ?
Posts: 7,544
Put it with your pens, no one will notice. I carry a portable inkwell with me every week (about half an ounce of not dangerous, but potentially messy, liquid) and have yet to take it through in a freedom baggie. Lined up next to my fountain pens, it looks like another pen. (They should make me check it; if I were to open it on a plane, I could cause extensive dry-cleaning bills within a six-foot radius. 
)
)
Oct 16, 2007 | 10:14 am
#12
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I carry a red and a green pointer in my carry on luggage every week. TSA is too interested in the size of shampoo and cologne bottles to be looking out for things that one could use to actually blind someone with.
Oct 16, 2007 | 11:32 am
#13
Join Date: May 2005
Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC
Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite
Posts: 5,487
How about the portable laser measurer... our company will be doing some work in Germany and not sure if it's allowed as carry-on. Says it's a Class IIIa laser... specifically a Stanley TLM 100 unit.
Any help or can you point me to any TSA literature, would be appreciated.
Any help or can you point me to any TSA literature, would be appreciated.
Burning laser pointer: http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/10/d...ag-flashlight/
Oct 16, 2007 | 6:55 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: (MKE+ORD)/2
Programs: UAGM (former 1P), Hilton Gold (former Diamond), heading for dirt.
Posts: 289
Me, too
I carry one with me since I use it for training. I go thru security about four or five times per month for about three years now. It's always in my carryon and I've never had a problem with it.
Oct 16, 2007 | 9:30 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Posts: 141
Put it with your pens, no one will notice. I carry a portable inkwell with me every week (about half an ounce of not dangerous, but potentially messy, liquid) and have yet to take it through in a freedom baggie. Lined up next to my fountain pens, it looks like another pen. (They should make me check it; if I were to open it on a plane, I could cause extensive dry-cleaning bills within a six-foot radius. )
) 
j/k Haven't seen anyone use those in quite a while. Safe travels
Tim