DIY pedals . . . on airplanes?

[Mark Hammer]

I'm wondering if, rather than thinking of ways to bypass security, we might put our collective heads together and focus on the conversation that takes place with the security people themselves.  I'm sure they hire morons and human/mule hybrids with security clearance (but, uh, narrowness of perspective) the way anyone else does, but I'm equally certain that most of these people respond positively to openness and transparency concerning things they initially don't know much about.  Certainly the directive comes down from on high that it's not their place to make judgment calls but to simply apply the regs and err on the side of safety.  At the same time, there are ways to turn it from a judgment call into something that neatly fits the regs, and that's where the conversation comes in.

Bear in mind, this is coming from a guy who last flew some 4 years ago and lacks a passport.

That notwithstanding, things like:

" It's music equipment.  What would you like to know about it?"
" How can I help you feel more comfortable letting this through?"
"What can I do with this stuff so it conforms to security needs more/better?"
"If you want, I can just take it apart, or put the batteries somewhere else"

...can't hurt.  YOU may know you're not a political extremist hell-bent on vengeance, and YOU may know the only explosions your stuff may cause are if you forget to turn down the master volume on the amp before plugging in, but THEY DON'T.  Most of what they see is clothing and papers, and most of the regs they have to commit to memory, and apply, deal with the typical not the atypical.  So everything you say and present and offer has to help turn the atypical into the typical for them.  If your interaction suggests you are more than willing to entertain risk of discovery, then you are more likely to be believed as not posing risk.

Of course, maybe the smart thing is simply not to use chickenhead knobs that are too pointy, or bring a Menatone "Mail Bomb" pedal as carry-on baggage.

[MarkB]

I nominate Jack's YAFF as 'most likely to be confused for a bomb'

"-)

though  my Noise Swash is a close second.

[sirkut]

I flew this past June from Georgia to Michigan for a show.  4 out of the 8 pedals that I brought with me were diy pedals that I either designed myself or created elsewhere(ie noiseswash).  I perform as a noise artist creating various sounds, noises, feedback, you name it without an instrument. I created a custom built bank of oscillators with a buttload of switches and knobs.  I also built my own power supply, now imagine all this fitting inside a briefcase, wires hanging literally ALL over the place.  The first time through not only did they stop me but my belt buckle(military canvas type) set the metal detector off, so they took my items aside (noticing it in the xray), scanned me, my shoes, then walked me to a table and was asked if it was ok to open the briefcase, then took out a cotton swab wand, and rubbed every inch of my case, pedals, wires.  Then placed it on this bomb sniffing machine, came back with a list of none lethal "smells" that I didn't recognize, did it a SECOND time, as if in disbelief.  Just told the man that I was a musician... the trip BACK, got similar treatment, minus scanning my gear. But when I mentioned I was a musician, they asked where my instrument was.  Imagine trying to explain that you don't use a guitar, or whatever... It was fun but it really didn't take that much time to stop and let them poke and prod.  Be careful, I always bring my crap (although it is not that much when I do take a trip to do a show) if possible, take the most expensive stuff as a carry on, a friend had all his gear in a pedal case and they opened it up to examine it and didnt place everything back correctly.

[travissk]

Just make sure it's not a clone of the Mail Bomb
http://users.pandora.be/discofreq/envelopefilters/menatone_mailbomb.html

[humbuck]

Yeah, sure you could make a bomb timer with a 555. You'd probably need a 4001 as well. :-)

H.

[Sonny ReVerb]

Here's one that's definitely better left at home (look halfway down the page):

http://www.vmsrecords.com/dissolute/pedals.html

Being in the airline industry, I would suggest removing the batteries from your pedals when taking them along on a flight. Also, it may be better to put them in checked luggage (if you're brave  :roll: )

I've got a homemade headphone amp in an Altoids enclosure that I carry with me (carryon) when I fly and I haven't had any questions about it, yet. Check out the Mint amp:  http://tangentsoft.net/audio/mint/

The TSA folks can be highly variable, tho, so if it has to get there, FEDEX it!!!