Pins on planes

[Jj.24]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to get everyone's opinions and experiences about pins on airplanes.

I am lucky enough to work in an airport in the UK and have been speaking to some of the guys on the search areas about their views on allowing people through airport security with pins in hand luggage. I've had mixed responses in as much as some have said that about 12 or so on a lanyard on a flight to Florida would be fine, then I asked what about a bag containing about 200 all presented on pages and then I got mixed views.

The long and short of it is that I paid about $125 on excess luggage charges due to bringing home a ton of pins last trip and can't afford to have that again later this year when I go.

Do we have any other airport workers or members that have had experience of this before for some advice?

I know its going to be down to the person checking the bags on the day but I really cant afford to turn up with a bag of 200 or so pins to be told, 'throw them in the bin or get a hold bag for them'.

Thanks,
James

 

[Jazzy B Bunny]

Ooo dear. I'm flying to Disney Paris in June... Will this apply to me too? I'm not planning on bringing 200 pins back, but should I put them in my main bag rather than hand luggage?

 

[imp]

The best way to know is to check your airline's baggage allowances for carry-on luggage. Airlines generally have that information on their websites. For travel generally, I highly recommend getting a luggage scale - you can get one for $20-30 and you'll be able to make sure you distribute your things so that each bag is within the max weight. Just remember to pack it so you'll have it for the return trip.

 

[imp]

...and keep your pins in your carry-on luggage...if the airline loses your luggage you're going to have a hard time getting them to believe you had hundreds of dollars worth of pins in it (also, airlines have maximum liability amounts)

 

[Vixy]

...and keep your pins in your carry-on luggage...if the airline loses your luggage you're going to have a hard time getting them to believe you had hundreds of dollars worth of pins in it (also, airlines have maximum liability amounts)

Yes, this. Not only can checked luggage be lost accidentally, but I had a friend who had cash and valuables stolen out of her checked luggage. I'm sure most baggage screeners/handlers are honest, but it only takes one! That's more of a concern flying *out* of any city with a park, because the locals are more likely to know that pins are valuable, and the departing city is where they're more likely to be opening and looking through your luggage... but it could happen anywhere.

I've taken a regular sized pin bag full of pins on pages as a carry-on and never had a problem, but I've also never tried to fly internationally that way, only between Seattle and LAX or Orange County.

 

[Wholeo20]

on my last trip to WDW i also took my pins on my carry on and had no problem with them.
I think that's definetly the safest way.

 

[Mad hatter]

I took over 300 pins to WDW last year in my bags and books I have a roll bag that they fit in and when I went thru security they did want to open it and check it out which was fine. Prepare to spend time going thru security I swear they looked at every pin just for the fun of it. On my way back Orlando airport never even checked them. I always take mine as carry on. Or if I buy ALOT I ship them to my house via UPS and they are there within a day or two.

 

[TheOtherSteve]

Ditto with what others have said..except, take the pin bag(s) out of the carry-on and put it/them in a separate bin to go thru the x-ray machine, then they will only have to flip thru the pin bag instead of everything else in your carry on. Then put the pin bag back in the carry-on before boarding the plane to meet the "one carry-on per person + personal item" rule. I've have security people thank me on more than one occasion for doing this because it reduces their searching thru stuff time.