Traveling by air with fetish gear

[uwsman2]

So, in our new age of heightened Homeland Security, what is the best way to transport fetish gear by air? For example, if one has some expensive floggers, is it better to use a carry-on bag or check in luggage? The problems I see here are that checked luggage has to be unlocked and may be gone through by security folks. Thefts from checked bags are not unknown, and would high-quality floggers prove an irresistible temptation? On the other hand, carry-ons are subject to random inspection. What is the likelihood that one would have trouble getting on a plane if floggers are discovered in one's carry-on? They would surely be seen as weapons by the Homeland Security folks, and subject to confiscation, casting suspicion on the person transporting them.

 

Is the safest thing to use an express delivery service to send one's fetish gear separately from personal air travel?

 

I have a friend who does porn as a fisting bottom. Once he was traveling with a big tub of lube and had an amusing confrontation with air security screeners when he sought to bring it on to the plane....

[whipped guy]

The now retired (and lamented) Reece Rothmeier recounted a somewhat amusing story how shortly after 9/11 his baggage (as opposed to carry-on luggage) was searched. Now Reece’s specialties were uniforms and S&M. The female security official began to look somewhat perplexed when she discovered a NYPD police uniform (something that was very popular with Reece’s out of town clients after 9/11) but really did not think much of it until she then came across the “associated equipment” that Reece also travel with… Well, as Reece told the story, she began to blush… and anyone who ever was associated with Reece knew he had every conceivable S&M toy available… not that he traveled with all of them… but still, he had all the essential “tools of the trade” with him. Consequently, the more the innocent female found the more she began to blush… and blush some more… until finally she exclaimed “Oh! My God! Oh! My God! This is for… You mean… You are… Oh!! My!! God!!” By that time she had turned every color of the rainbow!

 

In the end, nothing was confiscated… and other than a slightly awkward moment for Reece and the naive young girl getting a bit of an education… Reece was able to continue on his journey without further incident.

[uwsman2]

You said "shortly after 9/11." My impression is that things got a bit stricter as we got further along and the Homeland Security Department was established, taking over the screening function from private contractors. I'm wondering whether something that "passed" shortly after 9/11 would pass today.

[whipped guy]

After 9/11 there was really no "standardized" method of screening passengers... at times procedures varied from airport to airport... and "inspectors" were not as well trained as they (hopefully) are today.

 

I recall being made to do some quite hideous things in the months following the attack as I was once was singled out for looking suspicious… but actually I happened to be the person waiting to board who was closest to the gate, so in effect I was the line of least resistance and just simply an easy target. Ironically, in those days no one was concerned with checking shoes or seeing if you might be carrying any gels or liquids.

 

So things are definitely different today… It would be interesting to see if a person with the potential to impersonate a police officer would be let off the hook as easily today… probably not.

[uwsman2]

I actually had an amusing experience recently along this line... When I travel, I usually pack some skin mags in my checked luggage, in a zippered compartment that is clearly for flat items. On my most recent trip, evening of first night at my destination, I went to that compartment to pull out some of the mags for a quick bedtime JO, and what did I find? Intermingled with the mags was one of those documents from Homeland Security indicating that my luggage had been searched. Interesting that the inspector placed the form among my skin mags.... Now, it would have been even more interesting if he or she had drawn one of those little smiley faces on the document, or perhaps left a smidgen of spooge...

 

Big Brother or Sister is definitely watching....

[Guest Wetnwildbear]

Oh the joy of traveling for fun!

 

I traveled to Chicago by air late last year. I had scheduled

 

along with business several days just for pleasure, sightseeing and

 

play. I was seeing a former bottom/slv and was meeting a

 

DOM/Top as well (truly a versatile vacation).

 

The luggage arrived in tact - no problem.

 

On my return trip I was late for my flight due to a little to much

 

fun and was delayed overnight at the Ohare Hilton, while my baggage

 

went on to Philly.

 

The next day when I got back to philly it was obvious that my luggage

 

had been searched, among my travel toys, hood, funnel, restraints,

 

sounders, caths, toys, gags, tens unit etc.

 

 

I had to go to the baggage claim office to get my luggage.

 

I showed my luggage stubs - gave the women behind the counter my

 

name - she asked me to wait a minute, four people came out from the

 

back with my suitcase - all looking rather curious and embarrassed

 

with a few mouths agape - I smiled and

 

asked if anyone had any questions or would like a demonstration -

 

When no one replied - I smiled and took my case. I rarely am

 

embarrassed about anything.

 

 

When I got home I found that several Sounders, a favorite toy and a

 

leash and collar were missing.

 

Someone was going to have a good night!

[whipped guy]

I have never flown with toys, but have traversed the NYC subway system during several terror alerts when baggage, bags, backpacks, etc. were being inspected. I figured that such items as nipple clamps and floggers would just get a laugh. However, my only concern involved my electrical TENS unit which could look at trifle suspicious, as with its wire attachments it could give the impression of being some sort of detonating device. Fortunately I never encountered a problem.

 

Speaking of being possibly embarrassed, about a year ago I arranged some toys on the bed in my hotel room in anticipation of a hookup that evening… like a good boy scout I like to be prepared and ahead of schedule. Plus, as far as I knew no one would be entering the room. I then went to dinner and when I returned found a welcoming gift from the hotel management… a plate of fresh fruit and cheeses… I would assume the delivery person got a good laugh… but then again in a hotel setting I’m sure the staff has seen it all… and especially at that particular property which has hosted ex-rated President Bill Clinton…

[Louis]

Next time you leave your stuff on the bed, also leave an invitation so they can join you when their shift is done...:-)

[seaboy4hire]

I flew to Chicago May 2002 for IML(my first trip out there) and on the way out no issues leaving Sea-Tac. But on the way back out of ORD we had our leather, flogger and a few other things in the carry on. Of course lovely TSA (bastards) wanted to check inside the bag. The TSA person to check the bag was a 6 foot thick black woman. She imideately went for the flogger. Instead of just looking at it and moving stuff around she took the whole thing out of the bag and started smacking her hand with it. She really was having a good time with it and commented that it was better then the one she has at home for herself. I was so embarrassed I wanted to crawl under a tile and hide. I was 100 shades of red! After getting to the gate for the flight home I told Boobers never again are we caring on our leather and toys!

 

Hugs,

Greg

seaboy4hire@yahoo.com

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com http://www.daddysreviews.com/newest.php?who=greg_seattle

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6707/lebec084a9ad147f620acd5ps8.jpg

I'm feeling restless. Where should I travel to?

[Louis]

"The TSA person to check the bag was a 6 foot thick black woman."

Now would you have been embarassed if she was a good looking hunk of a guy instead?..:-)

[+ ArVaGuy]

I've shipped a few um.....interesting items via FedEx from time to time.

 

However, on a trip to SFO a couple of years ago I purchased a few things from Mr. S Leather and shipped those back home. That particular package wound up getting rerouted to the FedEx special handling facilty in Indianapolis and arrived one day later than scheduled.

 

Everything arrived intact and the seal was unbroken but the address label was all marked up. I could surmise that the screening machines may have kicked the package out for a closer look. Perhaps the codes on the label noted to the effect "large dildoh and paraphernalia enclosed" because the delivery guy was certainly much more chatty than usual. :-)

[Louis]

"the delivery guy was certainly much more chatty than usual."

Was he cute and good looking...:-) Maybe he wanted to play..:-)

[+ Tygerscent]

I just check everything through~ I don't carry any gear carry on~ I did once and got stopped in Dallas... then had to go back and check it through as luggade and almost missed my flight! so I find it best to just send it through ac checked luggage... spiked arm bands, caths, e- bag, sounds everything... leather harness the whole works. Gives them something to masterbate later to!

LOL!

tygerkink@yahoo.com

503.317.8055

http://www.tygerscent.biz/Galleries.html

http://www.tygerscent.biz

http://www.daddysreviews.com/area.php?loc=63150&who=tyger_portland

men4rentnow.com tygerscent in Portland, Oregon

[KinkyNEguy]

I travel for work or pleasure about 4 times a month. I have always been most worried about my poppers. Especially with this whole liquids restriction. So far I have not had any problems though. I take the label off and put 1 or 2 in my little quart bag.

 

Once in Newark I was selected for additional inspection, and they emptied everything...including my liquids. The TSA guy, who happened to be pretty sexy and pleasant, picked up the bottle, gave a smile with a wink and said ..."ok video head cleaner". After he was done and was repacking the bag, he mischievously asked if anyone used video tapes any more.

 

I know it depends on who you get, but I am a bit more relaxed now.

[Guest zipperzone]

>Once in Newark I was selected for additional inspection, and

>they emptied everything...including my liquids. The TSA guy,

>who happened to be pretty sexy and pleasant, picked up the

>bottle, gave a smile with a wink and said ..."ok video

>head cleaner". After he was done and was repacking the

>bag, he mischievously asked if anyone used video tapes any

>more.

 

You should have asked him when his next coffee break was!

[Guest Ryker]

As a traveling BDSM escort, I've faced this a lot. Anything that could be considered a weapon should not be in your carry-on. I've had my checked luggage searched many times (TSA leaves a flyer in your suitcase telling you if they've searched it) and it's had dildoes, police uniforms, badges, leather bondage restraints, crops, paddles, nipple clamps, etc., and there apparently has never been a problem.

 

However, right at the airport they've searched my bags and I believe the reactions you get are based on where you are and their level of experience. I learned the hard way that if you pack poppers and have the slightest residue on your hands as you close the bag, your bag will flunk the explosives test (when they rub the little white pad on the outside of the luggage) as nitrate is an ingredient in bombs. In Los Angeles, he found the popper bottle and asked me what it was. I said "Poppers ... butyl nitrate" and he said okay and put it back in and sent it on.

 

But in Portsmouth NH I was paged in the airport to return to baggage check=in. I'd been very careful to pack a new, unopened popper and washed my hands before continuing packing, so perhaps this time it was just a random search. But they had a uniformed Portsmouth police officer (!) with the TSA person. They asked me what it was and I gave the same response as at LAX, but this time got blank stares from both of them. I said "It's legal. You can throw it away if you want to." Then he said "About all that other stuff in there ... I take it you're an entertainer?" and I thought "What a nice way to put it." He asked if I had authorization for the police gear and I said "You don't need it, do you? I bought it all on ebay." And he just gruffly said okay. Very hot and handsome cop, but definitely straight.

 

I'm not at all concerned when my bags are opened in big cities. I actually get a bit of an exhibitionistic kick out of it. I'm often challenged by their 100 pound limit. One time when the male ticket agent said I needed to take five pounds out of one bag and put it in the other, I unzipped it partway, looked in to see some dildoes sitting on top, and said "I wonder how much THEY weigh." He glanced in, smiled, and let me check a third bag without the extra fee.

[+ Tygerscent]

I travel with my fetisg gear all the time... caths, floggers, whips, shakles, you name it... just check it all thru.

Tyger!

tygerkink@yahoo.com

503.317.8055

http://www.tygerscent.biz/Galleries.html

http://www.tygerscent.biz

http://www.daddysreviews.com/area.php?loc=63150&who=tyger_portland

men4rentnow.com tygerscent in Portland, Oregon