Jean in Newcastle Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Ds14, tech support, geek and inventor extraordinaire has invented a homemade battery pack to go with his netbook (which only lasts 10 min. on it's own battery). The battery pack is a plastic box filled with 12 AA batteries with leads that go to his netbook. I say that having a homemade device like this would set off major alarms with airplane security. He adamantly says that they should be able to see that they are only batteries and wouldn't care. He wants me to poll the Hive for your opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 No way, no how would I let mine bring that in his carry-on luggage. Asking for major scrutiny, including what would likely be a lengthy look at the battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vonfirmath Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 He wants to use his netbook on the plane? Honestly, I think it is mostly likely to be confiscated and thrown away at security. They don't have time to figure if what looks like a homemade bomb is really just a lot of batteries or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangermom Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 He's correct that they SHOULD be able to. But the catch is that they WON'T. I once had an airplance security guy question me suspiciously about a Game Boy--though to be fair, it was when they were pretty new. But taking that invention on a plane is a guaranteed bad idea, because TSA is not rational. Your boy thinks they should be, and he's right, but they just aren't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 He's correct that they SHOULD be able to. But the catch is that they WON'T. I once had an airplance security guy question me suspiciously about a Game Boy--though to be fair, it was when they were pretty new. But taking that invention on a plane is a guaranteed bad idea, because TSA is not rational. Your boy thinks they should be, and he's right, but they just aren't. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myeightkiddies Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 No. It could result in a very bad experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 I just wanted to add that his invention is awesome! :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 18, 2011 Author Share Posted November 18, 2011 No. It could result in a very bad experience. That's the thing - I have no desire to be on the nightly news! He's quite depressed at the Hive's united front on my side.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Is there any way you can get him a "store-bought" backup battery to take on the trip? Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parker Martin Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 My brother used to bring bags of loose computer parts on planes. I don't think it would be a big deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 No way. Not in carry on, nor in luggage. With all the craziness, it would be an absolute shout out for authorities to pull him aside causing a major inconvenience to your family. I am 100% certain they would confiscate it anyway. Unless he wants to be the newest news item in airport, and the general public may not be so understanding, he needs to leave it at home. Even if he got it through, people on the plane who see it may become really upset. Is it really worth all the possible trouble it may cause? Leave it at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyhomemaker Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Yes, they should be able to see that his invention is harmless, but I would never bet on the side of airport security intelligence or common sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Lulu* Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Yes, they should be able to see that his invention is harmless, but I would never bet on the side of airport security intelligence or common sense. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted November 18, 2011 Share Posted November 18, 2011 Every time we had many spare batteries (not even packageded together, but just in two-packs in our luggage) we have been thoroughly searched. I shudder to think what kind of questioning and delay a homemade device would cause. It is very likely that the TSA agents will confiscate it; even if it IS harmless, I believe they can use their own discretion. Would not be worth missing my flight or worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Yes, they should be able to see that his invention is harmless, but I would never bet on the side of airport security intelligence or common sense. They are not technical experts and not trained to understand any devices - these are barely trained people with minimum qualifications. I do not think they should be in a position to judge the function of any home made electronic device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrin Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I can only begin to imagine how many object lessons you could teach when he (and perhaps his family) gets the full pat-down, spends hours being interrogated, has his invention confiscated, never to see it again, and very possibly misses the flight. So many lessons there! :glare: However, if he wants to keep his invention safe and have a pleasant flight, then no. He needs to leave it at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I so wish that I could side with your DS, but I can't. The job of TSA is to protect passengers. I try to make their job as easy as possible. Don't waste their time and yours with a home made power supply. Go out and buy one that looks legit and save yourselves the interrogation. Let TSA focus on finding the real bad guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Absolutely not. Airport security is totally paranoid. Not only will they give him a hard time on this trip, but then on every other trip he takes for years to come. I'm not exaggerating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justasque Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Every. Single. Time. we travel with something odd-looking in our CHECKED luggage the TSA not only searches the luggage, but actually destroys the luggage in some way. In a suitcase, they rip out the hard plastic around the sides leaving only the fabric. In a golf-club-carrier, they ripped out all of the interior foam. No note beyond the standard "we searched your bag". No "sorry we had to rip it apart", or policy on ripping stuff apart. Just the debris of pieces of black plastic mixed in among the clothes, or foam no longer attached to the case. The odd-looking items were (1) a metal tea cannister containing a small Christmas tree made of computer-board type material (those green boards) and LED lights, which runs on a 12volt battery. This was clearly labeled with a special note on the outside of the canister as an ornament, with info on how to make it work, etc. (2) a box of sewing/crafting tools including rotary cutter, seam ripper, jewelry pliers (not labeled). (3) a model airplane (in the golf club bag container), clearly labeled as to contents of the container, info & pics on how to put the plane back in the container, info on the model itself, etc. SO - not only would I not carry it on, I would think twice about checking it. Just make sure he is aware that if he takes it, he risks losing it, and if that happens there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 No way, no how would I allow my ds14 to take that on a plane. 1. It would slow us down through security. 2. If it was confiscated, he would be upset. 3. If it was confiscated, I wouldn't want to hear about the unfairness and ignorance of the "system" for the entire flight. (MY son would do this) 4. I prefer to be the bad guy, not the TSA agent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 19, 2011 Author Share Posted November 19, 2011 No way, no how would I allow my ds14 to take that on a plane. 1. It would slow us down through security. 2. If it was confiscated, he would be upset. 3. If it was confiscated, I wouldn't want to hear about the unfairness and ignorance of the "system" for the entire flight. (MY son would do this) 4. I prefer to be the bad guy, not the TSA agent. Do you know my son? :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Do you know my son? :tongue_smilie: :lol: :lol: Similar model in my home. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathymuggle Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I would probably check it (although the destroyed luggage thing is giving me pause) but I would not put it in a carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I would not let him carry it on; I would not let him check it. Also, I don't know why they would be expected to know that it is a harmless device. These are not people who are trained in, or have any special interest in, the wonders of hacking, geekery, and so on. They are people who are trained in QUICKLY spotting SUSPICIOUS behavior and items. And he's being silly to think that trying to carry a stack of batteries with wires coming out of them onto a plane is not suspicious. All your son needs to do is add a timer to it, and he'll be banned from flying for life :lol: But, officer, it's just telling me how much battery time I have left. Really, it's not about to explode . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatmansWife Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 It's really cool that he made that. But, he better not bring it. Just last night on our local news there was a segment about people being kicked off of flights for all kinds of reasons. A lot of people have been video taping the incidents with their phones and putting them on youtube. Sometimes it's because of foul language, one guy was asked to leave because his boxers were showing (no joke). The main person interviewed was this woman in a wheelchair. She has a breathing tube that goes to her throat and it's powered by this large battery with lights on the back of her wheelchair. She wasn't allowed on the flight. BTW, all of these incidents happened on Southwest. She was later able to fly, but she was delayed. Anyway, I just don't think it's worth the risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I just voted and the current results are yes - 1; no - 99 I am the 99%!!! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 :lol: :lol: Similar model in my home. ;) :lol::lol: I'm pretty sure I will have a similar model in 8 years, too. I just voted and the current results are yes - 1; no - 99 I am the 99%!!! :lol: :lol::lol: See, now this would make a good few non-boring minutes on a reality show!! It is cracking me up. In fact, I had to go delete a few laughing smileys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 19, 2011 Author Share Posted November 19, 2011 See, now this would make a good few non-boring minutes on a reality show!! If I let him go ahead with it (which I'm not) then it would definitely make a whole episode! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Of the things I've heard from the people who should know, I'd say no way. Sadly it is not a difficult job (TSA agent) to get, and it pays better than flipping burgers. Although flipping burgers is what a great many of the newest hires should be doing. Ship the battery pack to your destination prior to your departure. It will be there when he lands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I would have him take it apart. Leave the batteries at home. When you get to your designation, he can buy new batteries and put it back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzf242 Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 It's really cool that he made that. But, he better not bring it. Just last night on our local news there was a segment about people being kicked off of flights for all kinds of reasons. A lot of people have been video taping the incidents with their phones and putting them on youtube. I can see that you have made up your mind and that most of the voters are with you, but I am the #2 "yes" vote. I would let him know that he will probably lose it, and then let him make the decision. I see us living in a society that is increasingly controlled by fear, and that disturbs me. Take care, Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mynyel Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 He's correct that they SHOULD be able to. But the catch is that they WON'T. I once had an airplance security guy question me suspiciously about a Game Boy--though to be fair, it was when they were pretty new. But taking that invention on a plane is a guaranteed bad idea, because TSA is not rational. Your boy thinks they should be, and he's right, but they just aren't. :iagree: TSA is seemingly very unpredictable. I wouldn't even risk it. I would tell him they might even throw it away and would be better to leave it at home. I wouldn't even put it in checked luggage. It might just be opened an pawned through. Sad.. but true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 If your stay will be lengthy, you could ship it ahead without the batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairyMom Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 We have a powerful lithium battery for our electric bicycles, and my husband wanted to bring that on the airplane so we could use it with our bicycles to buzz around the cities. I told him no way. Not only could the confiscate it, they could bar you from entering security. What a great project and :hurray: for him, but TSA would probably toss it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) No. How many of you have seen an improvised explosive device? Here is a picture of an IRA one, so it is a 30 year old version: http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3010/irafirebomb.jpg It is not mere paranoia on the part of low-wage employees trying to keep air travel safe to confiscate a device like that. A similar tale involving a college student: http://blog.tsa.gov/2011/08/wierd-science-traveling-with-homemade.html Plus, there are other reasons. You aren't allowed to bring loose lithium batteries. This is because they are a hazard to the plane if they spark against something metal and start a fire. Once they are on fire, then that fire can not be put out with the type of extenguishers carried on planes. Batteries are supposed to be in their original package in order to fly with them. Information about the FAA's research: http://www.fire.tc.faa.gov/ Fire hazard from lithium batteries + what looks like a detonator = bad news. If a group blew up a plane with a device like that people would be irate that it ever made it on the flight. The government cannot win either way with devices like that. eta: FWIW, you could avoid this by buying a battery mounting case with a UL flame rating. It isn't as fun as an Altoids tin, but it does the job and would result in less suspicion. http://www.polycase.com/qs-series Edited November 19, 2011 by Mrs Mungo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I think what it comes down to is: do the people of the US want to pay engineers to check carry-on bags? Or do they want to pay near minimum wage employees with minimal training? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy in Richmond Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Did you ever see this story from 2007? An electrical engineering classmate and friend of my son's was arrested at Boston's Logan airport for having what she thought was a creative and 'fun' homemade LED device on her hoodie. Nothing harmful, but it looked odd to airport authorities. Note that Star wasn't even trying to board a plane; she was simply at the airport to meet a friend's flight. Don't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nan in Mass Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 (edited) That was the first thing I thought of. It was much talked-over in my family because it sounded so much like something we would accidentally do. Sigh. I have been amazed at what they will let us fly with, but I have never let my children bring their homemade electronics. This is a problem for many, many geeks and hammies. It is even a problem for engineers who are flying with prototypes to show potential buyers or manufacturers or going to conventions. It is probably something he is going to have to deal with over and over again throughout his life, so taking Mrs. Mungo's information into account when he is designing something might be a good idea. Sadly, this is probably also the time to explain that for the next 15 years or so, as a young male, he will be treated with extra suspicion by many people and if he is wise, he will begin modifying his behavior in public so as to appear as unscary as possible. For my children, this has involved everything from changing their pocket knife to a leatherman or a swiss army knife, to standing well away from the shelves and keeping their hands out of their pockets if they have to wait in a store, to taking off their hat or hood in a public building. Nan Edited November 19, 2011 by Nan in Mass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 No, no, no. Ten minutes of time vs half a day or more in trouble with TSA? No way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I can see that you have made up your mind and that most of the voters are with you, but I am the #2 "yes" vote. I would let him know that he will probably lose it, and then let him make the decision. I see us living in a society that is increasingly controlled by fear, and that disturbs me. Take care, Suzanne So you would consider subjecting a kid to a possible body search to prove a point a good idea? Do you think the kid knows what he's possibly getting into? He could (very likely) endure a lot more than losing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceman Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Could he call the airport and find out? I didn't vote and only have small children. But my feeling is that I would let him if we was adamant and understood possible consequences (hold up, confiscation, more thorough searching, etc.). If I were the one who made it- I personally wouldn't bring it because of the likelihood of losing a handmade item. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuirkyKapers Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I voted no. I just think they would confiscate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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