Guys,

I know this has been discussed before, but I don't remember the final consensus ...

Is it OK to take spare scopes as well as other optics in your carry-on luggage? I know those mounted on rifles in a Tuff-Pac fare just fine ... but how about the spares?

Thanks,

Don't know why not. I carry my binocs on board.

John

Mike,

Rather than run the risk of encountering some ill informed but obstinate airline person and not be able to take my scope I would pack it carefuly with my extra clothes in the Tuffpack.

Mark

I almost missed a plane at JFK because it was a component of a rifle. At the 12th hour finally someone showed up, smiled and approved it as a carry on item. Mine go in my luggage now or in my gun case.

quote:

Originally posted by LJS:
because it was a component of a rifle.

I've heard of this happening before as well.

Unfortunately, you're probably better off packing it in your checked luggage.

I have carried spare scopes in my carry on numerous times, except for the one time when I needed a spare scope and didn't bring one at all, which is another story entirely.

I just stick them in the backpack containing all of our camera equipment. No problems yet.

I used to put my laser rangefinder in there too. But once, after running the back pack through the x-ray machine, the operator asked me if I had a "laser" in my bag. I was a bit perplexed, and didn't put two and two together right away, so I wrongly answered "No."

The guy just waved me through. Not sure what he would have done if I had truthfully answered "Yes."

Best to pack in the TuffPack. Nowadays you don't know what kind of problems you will encounter.

I was in the Dillingham, AK airport on Saturday and they have a sign there that all firearms components, even shotgun choke tubes, must be checked.

I saw a fellow on our last trip in ATL have a problem with a scope in his carry on, so put it in your gun case, then there is no problem.

I had a set of scope rings in my carry on in San Antonio, and they about put me in jail for having gun parts on a plane.

have a friend whos son was in canada goose hunting. They made him repack so the shotgun choke tubes would go into baggage, and made him throw away a small roll of duct tape (cause it could be used as a restraint). the real kicker is that when he came back in and was going through the customs line, he had to show his canadian license. looking through his pockets he found the 12" knife he'd been using the night before cleaning geese. I guess it a bad thing to have duct tape, but OK to have a 12" knife.

Thanks for the quick refresher on reality

Egad ... all of this seems silly, but I guess it is the way of the world these days.

Guess the extra stuff stays in the checked luggage. I just hate to have that much more stuff exposed to theft in the checked luggage. Oh well.

Anyone have trouble with binos in the carry-on? Would seem difficult to consider those a "gun part."

This May my cameras, binocs, rangefinder and scopes traveled from Denver DIA to Vic Falls,ZI in my carry on. No problems with customs,Delta or SAA.

You may get lucky, but technically, as others have said, scopes are "components" of a firearm, and thus not allowed in carry-on. Someone may not know the difference, and you'll get through just fine. But if... and it doesn't even have to be an anti-gunner or a "misinformed" or "stupid" airline employee (cause remember, this time they're right )... they do decide to play by the rules, you're going to face the inconvenience of an on-the-spot repack. If you pad and pack it properly the first time, it will probably be much more secure than just stuffing it in on top of everything else while you're standing at the counter, after running back from the security checkpoint.

On a separate note, butchloc mentions having his duct tape confiscated. That one is new to me. I actually take a small, almost gone, roll when I'm checking anything in a case (firearm or otherwise). After having it inspected and cleared (by the airline and then usually the TSA sniffer machine), I duct tape it shut over the latches for security reasons, to keep the latches from popping open. I've actually had them say "Good idea" while I did it. When the case is taped shut, I just throw the roll in my carryon for use on the return flight. Hmmmm. I guess darn near anything in my bag could be considered a "restraint".

Mike,

I have been questioned on duct tape and I really think any hunting related stuff should go in your gun case other than ammo. The world is full of ignorant people and airports seem to have more than their fair share.

Mark

Scopes are technically seen nowadays as part of a weapon. Last month I wanted to take my scope to Africa to mount it on a rifle I borrowed over there. I was told that a scope, even checked on its own, without travelling at the same time with a corresponding licensed rifle, was an offense.

Binos are, however, still allowed as hand luggage at this time. Let´s hope no idiot in the future makes trouble inside an airplane using his Nikon 10x25´s roofprisms as a weapon. One day we will all have to travel in an airplane either completely sedated or tied up like in a psychiatric ward, because we could poke the eyes of a crew member with our index finger...

Recently a friend of mine went deer hunting in the USA and he was stopped at the hand-luggage control when flying home because they detected explosives in his camera. There was a big brouhaha and all and after a long time of confusing discussions they finally let him go. What had happened is that he had shot a deer and traces of gunpowder had gone onto the camera when he took pictures of the trophy. It seems the explosives detectors were too sensitive and they triggered the false alarm...

Play it safe..., security personnel are very creative and they will always surprise you...

Antonio