Leaving Tues. for Zim via Atlanta,Joburg. Any problems having a Leupold 2 X Compact in my carry one with my camera and binocs?
Scope wrapped up in gray AC foam insulation tube for protection.
Better tomorrows!

Should not be a problem . But why not put your binocular and extra scope in your gun case?

This is an exta scope for three of us on this trip. If my rifle case does not make it I still have my binocs, camera and most likely I can borrow a rifle. I always keep binocs, cameras apart from the other goodies.

I once attempted to fly out of Harare with a scope in my carry on and was stopped at security and escorted down into the luggage area to put it in my checked bag.
This meant that it wasn't packed as safely as I would have liked.
This may have been an isolated incident by an over jealous official, but I wouldn't take the chance again on any flight anywhere.

TSA Rule.
A Scope is considered a Gun Part and cannot be in your carryon. Put it in your Gun Case.

larrys01 and R.Jolly are right. Some TSA agents will say it is a part of a firearm and they will make you take it out and check it, or forfeit it if you don't have time to check it. It's happened to me here in the US. I wouldn't risk it. Binoculars, cameras, range finders, spotting scopes, etc., are fine in a carry-on, but not a rifle scope.

NO! Not in your carry-on.

Harry,

Do not carry your scope in your carry on.

Mark

Correct advice!

Thanks for all the replies. Most appreciated.
As to TSA saying no...not in the printed rules does it say that.
Will put it in the keyed Tuffpak and send it on.
Better tomorrows to you all.

Funny you asked that question. I carried a new in the box Leuopold scope to S.A. last month. No problems until I went through x-ray to catch the flight from J-burg to Kimmberly, that was when security got a little "nervous". She stated it was part of a gun and not allowed. I gave a different explanation for it's use and was allowed to board with the scope in my carryon. I won't make that mistake again, though, too risky. They do use them on cameras in some places, don't they?

Actually, there is no law or rule that prohibiys you carrying a scope in your hand laggage.

The tropuble is who might come across at the cheque in counter.

I travel quite a bit, and some of things I have come across at check in can make your mind boggle!

The worst part is the air of superiority these idiots exhibit when you ask them what teh problem is.

Harry - Do YOU have a Tuff Pak?

The extra scope is a for sure item to go in the TP. Good luck and have a great hunt/trip.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Harry:
Thanks for all the replies. Most appreciated.
As to TSA saying no...not in the printed rules does it say that.
Will put it in the keyed Tuffpak and send it on.
Better tomorrows to you all.

Another comedian in my life! Larry there are only three of us on this trip so there are only three Tuffpaks going with us.
Better tomorrows....

When I tried to leave Zim, one of the "security screeners" said that the scope was a part of a firearm and would not be allowed in my carryon. I asked for her supervisor and the matter went away. She asked if it could be attached to a firearm and I told her no. So it was okay.

quote:

Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
When I tried to leave Zim, one of the "security screeners" said that the scope was a part of a firearm and would not be allowed in my carryon. I asked for her supervisor and the matter went away. She asked if it could be attached to a firearm and I told her no. So it was okay.

It isn't worth the hassle to break what most consider to be an obvious rule, that as a riflescope is part of a firearm, most security people will not let you carry one on. [Put it in yourchecked bag, or better, put it in your riflecase!]

And, the folks in Zimbabwe can be "unpredictable" in their enforcement. You can fool some of the people some of the time, but...

Les

I carried two scopes in a Pelican case, that was one of my carry-ons, from Anchorage to Windhoek and back. It went through the x-ray machine with everything else. Maybe I was just lucky, but no one even questioned it.

Once when flying out of LAX with a scope (in checked luggage but separate from the gun case) the scope was pulled out the luggage and placed in one of their "machines" in my presence. I asked what they were doing and was told that they were checking for traces of gunpowder. I mentioned that it would be normal for a rifle scope to have traces of gunpowder, but that particular scope hadn't been on a fired rifle in a number of years. I just got cold looks and they took their time, a long time, to do their tests. When done, I asked what they would have done if they found traces, again, I just got the cold stare as an answer, no verbal replies.

La rue tactical has nice padded ballistic scope cases in three different sizes. Perfect for an extra scope in a tuff pac.