Air Travel

[James A]

Here's a question for ya'l out there. How do you take your carving tools with you when you fligh?

[Iowa Carver]

I have thought about this and resigned to not taking my tools with me. I would love to be able to carve in the hotel at night. I usually check my bag and then it should be no issue but often we are hurried by someone else and I may not be able to check it and then I would lose my tools.

Corey

[Clifford_Parker]

Pack them in a tool roll and place it along with a couple WIP pieces at the top of one of your checked bags. Placing it on top makes it easier for inspectors to find and check it if it sets off alarms and a couple WIPs makes it clear what the tools are for.

[mdallensr]

I've taken my carving tools on a lot of vacations and some business trips. Some of those trips were outside of the U.S. I put the tool roll and other accessories in my checked luggage with my blanks and a copy of WCI or a carving book, just as Cliff does. I've never had a question from the inspectors. I do worry about "losing" them, but so far, so good. Mike

[Donna_T]

Before the crackdown on carry-on luggage, I took everything in my carry-on to reduce the chance of theft. Now, I put my tools in a toolroll, with the wood and the latest issue of WCI (so the inspectors have a clue what it all means) and put it well into the middle of my suitcase--well padded. Flight officials say putting stuff in the middle of your suitcase reduces the chances of theft--workers looking for something to take typically look for something on top.

So far, I've taken carving stuff like this 5-6 times and (knocking on wood) it's arrived safely each time. I can't remember when I didn't have a note in my suitcase that said t was inspected. I'm flying to Vermont Tuesday so I'll put it to the test again.

Donna T

[RUssL.]

Doris,

We don't have too many airports here in VT so you must be flying into Burlington, my home town.
Wishing you a safe journey to and from our lovely state.
I hope you bring some sunshine.
It has rained at least part of every day for the past ten days...my week off from work! ;-(

All the best,
The ever-so-rare sixth generation Vermonter,

RussL

[chpster90bu]

I fly twice a year by US Air.....same here....pack a tool bag and blanks in a checked case, but after July 9th with THAT airline, they are charging $15. a bag each way and $25. for the second bag, etc. It is really getting out of hand. Prices and rules vary between the airlines, but I am thinking of just doing a carry-on now, which will not allow me to bring my tools......and I will NOT be a happy camper if that's the case. Bonnie

[DManning]

The last time I flew was back in the days when you could still whittle on the plane while it was waiting to taxi. Come to think of it, smoking a pipe was still allowed.
I hope you find a solution. For myself, I just gave it up. It just isn't natural to be forced that far away from my toys. After this long, it would probably take extradition papers to get me into an airport.
Good luck

[chuckbolton]

did orville and wilbur let you whittle while flying ? i dont ever remember carving on the plane-- i did take tools with me when i flew- but i always felt it would make too much a mess so never did it in flight.

[Eddy-Smiles]

If God wanted man to fly he would have given him wings... I haven't been on a plane in over 37 years since the "Freedom Bird" from Nam....

Seems to me that with all the nickle dime charges that the airlines have levied on today's fliers that you can almost buy yourself a minimal amount of carving tools in every location where you have a repeat visit!