Brizio Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I need to fly wit a 1/24 model truck, and I couldn't find a safe box for it, so I think to use a metal toolbox, that is a good size for the model and on the 45" limit to a carry on luggage. I will remove all the inside, and put the model in it, using polystyrene for keep it in place. The toolbox (with tools) are banned, but in my case I will use it only as metal container with no tools in it. There are that you know some issue to have a metal container as carry on luggage in the airplane? Because on the flight company and TSA website I cannot find any specification about the luggage material. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cranky Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Brizio, if you are taking just a model, I say one of those plastic boxes will probably work better with some foam to hold the model in place, it will be lighter and you can then open it to pass screening, etc . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george 53 Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 You might want to ask Steve Perry for this one. He's taken models to the GSL contest and I've seen how well his models are packed. I don't remember him telling me that he's ever been hassled. One of the guys should know too, I KNOW more than one of you guys have flown with your models. Mr.Biggs??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 @Cranky, the problem is that I couldn't find a plastic box for it. The model is pretty big, it is long 14inches and wide 7. I search everywhere for boxes, but with no luck. I found plastic tool boxes, but they were out of the carry on luggage measurement. @Futurabat, Probably is better contact the flight company and ask them. I don't want have "surprise" a the airport. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadillacPat Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I've carried on cases of Customized HotWheels on the way to Conventions. The Scanners' are always amused because they can distinguish them as HotWheels immediately. Sometimes I'm asked if they can see a few of them and I've passed out business cards and later sold a piece to one of the Scanners'. Only once was I asked if they could take out one of the VW DragBuses and test it in the Parts Per Million Scanner to test for explosives. CadillacPat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 You might want to ask Steve Perry for this one. He's taken models to the GSL contest and I've seen how well his models are packed. I don't remember him telling me that he's ever been hassled. One of the guys should know too, I KNOW more than one of you guys have flown with your models. Mr.Biggs??? I flew different times with models, 1/25 cars, or smaller scale, but packed in cardboard boxes inside the luggage, and no problem with that, my issue is that this model is pretty big, and the only box I found for it is a metal container (toolbox), that I need to find out if it is ok to have it on the airplane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 I've carried on cases of Customized HotWheels on the way to Conventions. The Scanners' are always amused because they can distinguish them as HotWheels immediately. Sometimes I'm asked if they can see a few of them and I've passed out business cards and later sold a piece to one of the Scanners'. Only once was I asked if they could take out one of the VW DragBuses and test it in the Parts Per Million Scanner to test for explosives. CadillacPat But they can scan a metal toolbox? Probably they need to open it and remove the model. No issue with that, probably I should bring with me some picture of the model during the build, so they can see the metal parts on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin T Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I would be freaked out if one of the security guys opened up the box and started taking parts off looking for explosives.With my luck that would happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 24, 2012 Author Share Posted April 24, 2012 I know that scare me too. But maybe I can tell to wait me to open it. So I can remove all without damage the model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Anderson Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I flew different times with models, 1/25 cars, or smaller scale, but packed in cardboard boxes inside the luggage, and no problem with that, my issue is that this model is pretty big, and the only box I found for it is a metal container (toolbox), that I need to find out if it is ok to have it on the airplane. I have a couple of those lightweight aluminum toolboxes in which I have carried models to shows on airliners. Scanners use magnetometers, not Xrays to scan carry-on and checked baggage, so that penetrates the aluminum casing, shows whatever is inside. I had a TSA agent comment to me at Indianapolis International back in 2007, as I was going through the securty checkpoint that he'd seen several model cars go through that day (I was on my way to GSL). As for a 14" long, 7" wide model, there are very sturdy "mailer boxes" available, the white ones you fold up with tab & slot assembly--those work great, can be carried either loose, or packed into luggage, your choice. I used a pair of 550-count sports card collectors' boxes to carry my '53 Hudson and Kurtis Midget to NNL-East this past weekend, just packed the models lightly with "T-shirt knit cotton scraps" (sold in a lot of big box stores as cleaning/dust cloths, BTW) , laid the boxes in the bottom of my back pack (same UnderArmor back pack I wear when going to work by bike), along with an extra jacket and a book to read, and they traveled beautifully, outbound and return trip (even accidently dropped the backpack, with NO damage to either model--so I know that can be done, and will continue to do it in the future. Art Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 25, 2012 Author Share Posted April 25, 2012 @Art, thank you for all the infos!!! The toolbox I will use, is steel, like the one in the picture. I don't know if there is difference. And this is the model that I want to take with me. I will probably zip tie the axles on a base, because I cannot put stuff on to of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 26, 2012 Author Share Posted April 26, 2012 I contact (by email) the flight company and the TSA. The TSA told me that it depend form the country I will fly in. And the fly company said that I can use this box and that be sure I can open it if the authority ask me to do so. Pretty happy about it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkman Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 @Art, thank you for all the infos!!! The toolbox I will use, is steel, like the one in the picture. I don't know if there is difference. And this is the model that I want to take with me. I will probably zip tie the axles on a base, because I cannot put stuff on to of it. Who made the model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share Posted April 27, 2012 Who made the model? I did, it is scratch built in 1/24 scale, based on a real fire truck (Fiat 643N) my dad had in his fire station in Italy. I play a lot on it back then... Here the building post if you vant look at it. http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=53547 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted April 27, 2012 Share Posted April 27, 2012 That's one heck of a way to cure one of heights, Brizio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share Posted April 28, 2012 Yep, but it works... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Keck Posted April 28, 2012 Share Posted April 28, 2012 The metal tool box is over kill. I use a Fat Tire beer case with foam cut to fit. It fits under the seat. Check your airline website for their size restrictions. And you'll make lot's of new friends as you carry it down the aisle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 Ha Ha, I used to carry my models at the show/contests in a beer box (24 bottle). Some of the people look at you different, but the others, (you are right) are very friendly, some ask where's the party! Unfortunately the model I will bring with me in this trip will not fit any beer box I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 A little update. I had zero problem to take the model in the tool box with my fire truck with me, and it made a safe trip after 13hrs flight! At the custom in Amsterdam they ask me to open the box, because they did not understand what was inside. Some people look at it in a weird way... Some travelers while waiting the airplane ask me about my weird box, and they look at me more weird when I told them that inside I had a fire truck! Thanks to all, above all Pete for the precious ideas... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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