DIY pedals . . . on airplanes?

[sfr]

I'm visiting some friends out of state and they asked me to bring some of my pedals since they haven't seen them - I'm flying though, and I'm wondering if anyone's had any problems bringing their stompboxes on planes?  I just figure a poorly-hand-wired, unimmediatly identifiable electronic device in a cast aluminum box might bring up some suspicion at the airport.  God knows I've heard of problems with more usual devices.  I know sometimes they make you show that devices actually work (turn on PDAs or laptops, etc.) but I don't think I can bring a guitar and an amp with me to the airport!  I figure throwing them in my checked baggage should be safe, but you never know - anyone had any experiences with this?  I'm probably just being paranoid, but that's how I'm wired, I guess.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Carry a couple of "official" mainstream boxes with it & a set of strings, & people will automatically assume that because it is with something that is made in Japan, it won't be a b*mb.  This whole xray the suitcase thing is just crap, pretending to people that 'somethig is being done'. Bureaucratic BS a its worst.

[Mike Burgundy]

It's good to be careful with this. Even before 9-11 I once had to move heaven and earth to be able to get a *Rolykit* penholder (rolls up to form a block of plastic) on a plane. Almost missed the plane, so the whole thing must have taken 2 hours.
You can call the airport in advance to see if they object to you taking music effects. As said, don't accentuate the fact you've built them. They won't object, but might have some valuable info on how to stay out of trouble.

[Kilby]

It would also be an idea to take any screws out of the case so you can show them the innards and assertain that there is nothing harmful inside.

Rob...

[troubledtom]

don't mess around , you can send them by mail to your place of visit or bizz
that's what zvex does and so do i .
  it'll be hit and miss at the airport you'll get one person that is cool and the the next person try'n to save the world [ that doesn't want to be saved ]
    i don't no how to build bomb and i don't want to know. but the 555 chip is a timer and i have them in some of my devices. could the the 555 be used in a very bad way ? i really don't know . but there is always some asshole try'n to do bad things to good people.
   i know this sounds dark.  travel can be a drag why make it harder.
              but really ..........have a safe trip.
                           - tom

[hank reynolds 3rd]

if you take a guitar and a 1/4w amp ( the one w/ a 386 and a few caps)  with you, just plug in and play and hopefully they'll shut up.....
try charging a fee aswell :roll:  :twisted:


sam

[amckinley100]

In 1999 I went on holiday with the folks, touring from Washington DC, NYC and Boston.  While in New York, I made my pilgrimage to 41st street (is that right?) - visiting Manny's music and all the other shops.

Anyway, long story short, I bought a Vox Wah pedal for $99 (about £60 at the time - when they retail for about £120 in the UK - hardly surprising I snapped it up!).  I thought it would be a wise idea to keep it in my hand luggage - and sure enough, at Logan airport, I was asked to unpack my bag to show them my nice shiny wah pedal - i was asked to open it, but was unable to do so due to the lack of a screwdriver.  In retrospect, I am surprised that they decided to make nothing of this large solid and weighty metal container and allowed me on the plane with it. (although, being 17 at the time, and with the family, perhaps it was decided that I wasn't a threat!)

Although, i daresay in these 'troubled times', if you were unable to open the box, they will either confiscate it or not allow you on the flight.  So, remove the screws *before* you travel - given the current ban on sharp objects, it would be unwise to pack a screwdriver  :wink:

Cheers

Andy

[smoguzbenjamin]

I flew to Istanbul, turkey last may (biggest mistake of my life) but I had a PDA with me and a swiss army knife and whatnot, no-one objected so why not a DIY effect?

[claydavis]

It shouldn't be a problem. I recently travelled through Atlanta and Houston with some DIY pedals during the "orange alert," and didn't have any problems. I did carry them bubblewrapped in an unsealed cardboard box, just so they'd be easily searchable (per my wife's recommendation; she works for Delta). One TSA guy unwrapped and bomb-swabbed my tremulus panneur (which still reeked of laquer), but no troubles at all. You should be fine as long as you don't bury your pedals in your carry-on or hide a bomb inside them. The TSA folks in Houston seemed more concerned with our shoes than my pedal, actually.

[Tim Escobedo]

Post 9/11, airport security measures in the US are wildly inconsistent.

Harry Shearer, frequent Simpsons voice, Spinal Tap member, etc does a local weekly radio show where one of the segments is "Tales of Airport Security", a amusing and somewhat depressing collection of airport security gaffs of both ridiculous vigilance and glaring oversights.

My own personal experience seemed to indicate that security standards vary significantly from airport to airport.

[gez]

I remember reading of some poor bloke who took his mother's ashes by plane (she wanted them scattered in a certain place).  Customs decided he looked dodgy and detained him.  One of the officers dipped his finger into the urn and tasted some of the contents thinking the powder was narcotics...hmmm nice!

[Tim Escobedo]

I remember reading of some poor bloke who took his mother's ashes by plane (she wanted them scattered in a certain place). Customs decided he looked dodgy and detained him. One of the officers dipped his finger into the urn and tasted some of the contents thinking the powder was narcotics...hmmm nice!

Mmmm.... I could still taste your mom on my fingers....




























Yow, did I say that!  :twisted:

[gez]

OK, I admit it IT WAS ME!!!  Now were you that damn customs man Escobedo?!!! :evil:

[Paul Marossy]

A new pedal is born.... B.I.A.B.
(Bomb In A Box)
At least airport security would be convinced that it's a bomb. They might strip search you and perform a body cavity search...

It could be bad.  :wink:

[smoguzbenjamin]

I can't remember who, but someone here made a pedal that was made out of a 2" PVC pipe. It looked just  like a bomb! Bet you can't get that on a plane :twisted:

[Mark Hammer]

Pack some drumsticks.  Once they think you're a drummer, all suspicions will be set aside.

Seriously, though, I think the disassembly suggestion is a good one.  There are very few people who do NOT respond well to someone making their job easier for them.  Take the covers off, stick the screws in a baggie and group the lids together with elastics to keep them from bouncing around and chipping.

Look at it this way.  You're gonna want to pop the lids and show off the innards to your buddy when you get there anyways, right?  This way you arrive prepared, just like packing your pajamas last, on top of everything.

[R.G.]

Save yourself some misery - send the pedals separately by UPS or post office. I personally would pay a modest amount not to have to talk to a security guard for a couple of hours.

[casey]

one time i flew out to california for a gig.  i carried 2 carry on bags (backpack and my bag full of effects and wires) and
2 pieces of luggage (suitcase and a strat).

when my stuff went through the xray machine i had a couple
of security guards stop me to ask what i had....

i was not only the guitarist but the band techie.....i had a soldering iron,
some wire cutters and what nots, and my pedals and 1/4" cables.

you should have seen me try to explain to them what an ebow was.
it was hilarious.  i guess they could tell by my thick texas accent
that i wasnt going to be a threat......but they wanted an explanation
for everything.

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

A guy I know has a roll of tape (like crime scene tape) saying "ACID HAZARD" which he uses at tekno raves, makes cool headbands etc. Anyway he made a metal case for his TB303 drumbox & covered it with "acid hazard" tape... yeah, he couldn't get on the plane with it!!

[Travis]

I've never had any problem with pedals, but I flew to Chicago last August, and the they tried to confiscate my slide.  The woman was nigh on insane.  

After she finished chewing me out for trying to take "the makings of a pipe bomb" onto the airplane, I walked away to find a mailbox.  (I love that slide)  A ten year old girl, probably prompted by her mother, asked me if she could sneak it on for me.

Huzzah.