Traveling

[AerykGunn]

So my girlfriend and I live in two different states, and once I get my own apartment she'll be able to visit me more often and such. We were talking about her bringing her lightsaber I just got for her (Dark Shock with Ultraedge Red and Obsidian Soundboard) but we were curious as to... how can she bring it on a plane/train? She wouldn't want to put it in her suitcase and she usually just has a large carry-on bag so.. would there be any problems you guys think? If she took the blade out and had them both in her bag? would they just let her explain or would they give her trouble?

Also as an aside, I don't have this problem, but she says that the sound seems to be... quiet on the Obsidian soundboard. Mine sounds perfectly fine, but I dunno her case (being in another state and all it's hard to tell) so.. anyone else having this problem? is there a volume in the settings somehow? lol And her settings for the swinging sounds when she got it was set to 180 so she could HARDLY get it to make a noise she fixed it but we just thought it was funny. Please and thank you,

Aeryk Gunn
Aliit ori'shya tal'din

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

With TSA being as... Cautious as they are these days, I personally wouldn't try to carry on a saber, apart or not. The blade is liable to be iffy (usable as a club) and the hilt is a strange pipe with miscellaneous electronics in it. She could put it in checked luggage and wait by security to ask that they lock her bag after inspecting it (I know this is an option I've used when checking expensive stuff). Otherwise, ship the saber and skip the airport routine. Keep in mind this is my educated guess based on business travel. Others may have experience traveling with their sabers.

[Darth Rifter]

Well if they are seperate, the blade and hilt, you will be fine. All she will have is a simple plastic tube, and a metallic light-up cylinder. They will cause no harm to anyone, so she should be just fine. Expect if she decides to go on a crazy rampage, whip out her saber, blade and all, and start a "killing" rampage. the other one, i don't know.

[Dark Lord Proscidior, Titus Solvan]

Looking directly at the TSA list of prohibited items, I would not chance it.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Note the pool cue. A split cue and a saber blade are about the same.

[AerykGunn]

Yeah but I don't think you can hurt someone with a saber blade? at least not easily?

[Master Nero Attoru]

Train shouldn't be a big deal at all, providing she doesn't try to go on a Sith rampage and take out anyone with it lol.  Plane?  That's an interesting question, I myself have never attempted to bring my saber on a plane but I have brought fencing equipment, which are actually made of metal.  As long as she can explain it is "sporting equipment" (which isn't entirely false as it is essentially used to practice martial arts) and possibly check it she should be fine. 

Sorry I was a little confused, did you say she IS bringing a suitcase to be checked but doesn't want to put it in there?  Because I'm not really sure if you can put it in a carry on - I mean people bring canes and they're essentially the same thing.  The only suspicious part might be the hilt, but they put it through the x-ray anyway so it shouldn't be a big deal.  You might want to call them ahead of time just to verify or something.

[AerykGunn]

I'm saying that usually all she brings IS a carry-on. She has one bag, that is a carry-on. Usually. Not including her purse.

[Qui-Tom Helms]

I put a post in the off topic area about using a rifle case (heavy duty plastic type with foam padding inside).  Yea, its about as big if not bigger than a suitcase.  I checked here in Fargo and TSA said I could bring it with me but it had to be in .  But "checked baggage".  With all the differences at airport TSAs I suggest that she go and talk to the airport TSA officials on her end and see what they say.  And you should do the same at your airport location.

The other option is to buy her one and leave it at your place.

Hope some of this helps.

[AerykGunn]

Thanks for the replies guys I'll see what we can do. Wouldn't it cost more to have her ship it here instead of bringing it with her? And what if it doesn't arrive on time? lol then we'd be SOL. But We'll look into our different options. Thanks again. 

Aeryk Gunn,
K'oyacyi!

[Master Artorius Vidnyl]

Shipping that thing in an odd size and shape package could be a real pain, and yes expensive.  I think checking it is your only good choice if she's flying (I fly fairly often but I prefer train).  If you can convince her to take a train it would make things much easier.

[Maslac]

/joke

Just remove the blade and hang your hilt on your belt. When someone asks you 'What on Earth is that?!' you simply reply: 'What.. This? It's my Lightsaber! Lol..."

/joke off

Hope you find a solution