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Will TSA confiscate auto license plates?

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Old Apr 23, 2007, 1:59 pm
  #1  
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Will TSA confiscate auto license plates?

We re-titled 2 cars in a new state - I have the new plates and plan to take them on my carryon.

Obviously, these will look odd when scanned and I have no doubt my bag will be pulled.

I can't envision these being considered a weapon in any remote way, but then there are lots of other things I would have put into that category (like, oh, say, toothpaste?).

Anyone think this will be a problem? I of course can't just elect to toss these ...
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 2:18 pm
  #2  
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not likely... when I shipped my car from San Juan to the mainland, I actually took the plate off and it flew with me (cause well, I've heard too many stories of the plates being stolen while the car is on the boat). It didn't even raise an eyebrow.

My brother did the same thing when he shipped his truck from Miami to San Juan
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 2:31 pm
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 2:36 pm
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thanks, great to get direct experience! know that you mention they "why", I can see that many more folks than I would have thought probably travel with plates, so hopefully it will be a non-issue.
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 2:37 pm
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I have done this before and had no problem. Before I left I sent Bart a PM and he said no problem. I doubt this should be any different now.
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 3:06 pm
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Why in the world would the TSA ever confiscate auto tags? Has this ever happened to anyone before?
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 3:24 pm
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Originally Posted by bocastephen
Why in the world would the TSA ever confiscate auto tags? Has this ever happened to anyone before?
Unfortunately, our rights have been so eroded and we have now been conditioned that anything other than socks and underwear is a *perceived* security risk and we will somehow be stopped, flagged, flogged and questioned.



(Wow. Did I just channel Spiff?)
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 3:32 pm
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In a short answer: "no"
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 4:00 pm
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The TSA might think you are trying to do something illegal and refer you to law enforcement, just as if you were carrying a lot of cash or some unlabeled white powder or green herbs.
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 4:11 pm
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I’ve carried plates several times.

Never had a problem.
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 4:22 pm
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FWIW I carried my vanity plate in a carry-on (a backpack for a laptop.) It went through the Xray at IAD, SFO, LAS, and YVG with no questions asked.
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 5:59 pm
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Why don't you obtain unlisted license plate numbers. In that way you can feel secure that no one will steal them. I doubt that you have any risk from the TSA as they have advised me that they have a good theft record, and the missing item from my checked in bag the agent rummaged through, he probably forgot to return it to the bag. Under such circumstances the item is turned over to the lost and found. I feel so much better now.

All I have to do is buy a round trip ticket and return to the city where the possession was probably misplaced, check with the lost and found, and hopefully find it. Then catch the return flight home.

How much more user friendly could the procedure be. Once again theTSA has set up a procedure for the convenience of the traveler.
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 7:00 pm
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Originally Posted by bocastephen
Why in the world would the TSA ever confiscate auto tags? Has this ever happened to anyone before?
"why in the world would the tsa ever confiscate <insert your item here>. because they are the tsa and have no bloody clue what in the name of common sense they are doing and i mean no offense to those from the tsa here on f/t - i simply am referring to an idiotic and inept government organizantion with ridiculous and arcane rules.
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Old Apr 23, 2007, 7:46 pm
  #14  
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Originally Posted by redbeard911
Unfortunately, our rights have been so eroded and we have now been conditioned that anything other than socks and underwear is a *perceived* security risk and we will somehow be stopped, flagged, flogged and questioned.
"I don't care whether you brought socks and underwear yesterday, they are not allowed today. We have to keep the bad guys on their toes, you know"
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Old Apr 24, 2007, 7:33 am
  #15  
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Originally Posted by bocastephen
Why in the world would the TSA ever confiscate auto tags?
TSA Screener "Logic": Pax has a flat metal object, with four corners. It has the potential to be thrown in a flat horizontal or vertical trajectory narrower than an airplane isle at high speed while rotating to achieve flight stability and cause the corners to possibly break unexposed flesh of a person it should accidentally or on purpose strike. It obviously is a disguised Ninja Throwing Star, a BANNED object. Please step to the side, Comrade Criminal. LEO Assist!
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