johnnyshape wrote:Given the rampant paranoia about at the moment, I'd suggest putting pedals in your hand luggage, so you can explain them to security. You'll get them inspected one way or another. There's something about blocky metal objects, small circuit boards, and 9-volt batteries that says 'bomb' on x-ray.

When I toured in the US a few years ago, we put all the band pedals and leads in one bag. On the x-ray machine, it actually looked like a bomb. One operator nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw it, someone had their hand on a gun, but luckily we managed to be "we're British, we're sorry" enough to not get strip-searched.

In the present climate, I'd be on hand to explain things, and warn security "you might wanna look in that one" as you go through the machine.

johnnyshape wrote:Anyone got any ideas how you could do this with a brand new shiny guitar? I mean, how big a 'gift' are you allowed to receive?

Rimbaud III wrote:

johnnyshape wrote:Given the rampant paranoia about at the moment, I'd suggest putting pedals in your hand luggage, so you can explain them to security. You'll get them inspected one way or another. There's something about blocky metal objects, small circuit boards, and 9-volt batteries that says 'bomb' on x-ray.

When I toured in the US a few years ago, we put all the band pedals and leads in one bag. On the x-ray machine, it actually looked like a bomb. One operator nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw it, someone had their hand on a gun, but luckily we managed to be "we're British, we're sorry" enough to not get strip-searched.

In the present climate, I'd be on hand to explain things, and warn security "you might wanna look in that one" as you go through the machine.

Okay, so you've hit my paranoia bang on the head with this post. I'm next to certain that I'll get pulled, and pre-empting the search with "oh, by the way I'm carrying something that could look suspicious" fills me with a massive amount of anxiety.

B_M_L wrote:

Rimbaud III wrote:

johnnyshape wrote:Given the rampant paranoia about at the moment, I'd suggest putting pedals in your hand luggage, so you can explain them to security. You'll get them inspected one way or another. There's something about blocky metal objects, small circuit boards, and 9-volt batteries that says 'bomb' on x-ray.

When I toured in the US a few years ago, we put all the band pedals and leads in one bag. On the x-ray machine, it actually looked like a bomb. One operator nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw it, someone had their hand on a gun, but luckily we managed to be "we're British, we're sorry" enough to not get strip-searched.

In the present climate, I'd be on hand to explain things, and warn security "you might wanna look in that one" as you go through the machine.

Okay, so you've hit my paranoia bang on the head with this post. I'm next to certain that I'll get pulled, and pre-empting the search with "oh, by the way I'm carrying something that could look suspicious" fills me with a massive amount of anxiety.

FX Pedals look really really bad when viewed by an airport x-ray machine. I bought back 2 from NZ late last year. I carried them in my hand luggage and told the people well before I put them through the machine what they were. I had to do this at Auckland and LA - both times the security people were fine with it... in AKL they were nice enough to show me on the screen how it looked like a small explosive device.

Rimbaud III wrote:
Okay, so you've hit my paranoia bang on the head with this post. I'm next to certain that I'll get pulled, and pre-empting the search with "oh, by the way I'm carrying something that could look suspicious" fills me with a massive amount of anxiety.

evolu wrote:

johnnyshape wrote:Anyone got any ideas how you could do this with a brand new shiny guitar? I mean, how big a 'gift' are you allowed to receive?

£145 'declared' value, if you opt for this and the guitar gets mashed in transit you are fucked. A risk worth taking though, provided you trust the person shipping to pack the guitar well.

johnnyshape wrote:

Rimbaud III wrote:
Okay, so you've hit my paranoia bang on the head with this post. I'm next to certain that I'll get pulled, and pre-empting the search with "oh, by the way I'm carrying something that could look suspicious" fills me with a massive amount of anxiety.

Oh, you'll be fine. Seriously. Actually, you don't have to say a word, just be polite, helpful and clear. The point I was making was about carrying them through security yourself as opposed to hold baggage - so you get to clearly explain what they are. In the current climate of insanity, I wouldn't rule out any comedy of errors involving dumbass baggage security and foreign nationals.

johnnyshape wrote:

Rimbaud III wrote:
Okay, so you've hit my paranoia bang on the head with this post. I'm next to certain that I'll get pulled, and pre-empting the search with "oh, by the way I'm carrying something that could look suspicious" fills me with a massive amount of anxiety.

Oh, you'll be fine. Seriously. Actually, you don't have to say a word, just be polite, helpful and clear. The point I was making was about carrying them through security yourself as opposed to hold baggage - so you get to clearly explain what they are. In the current climate of insanity, I wouldn't rule out any comedy of errors involving dumbass baggage security and foreign nationals.

Rimbaud III wrote:It's the thumbs-in-ass and teabaggage that this foreign national fears.

I think carrying them in my hand-luggage is the best option, but you're right, the potential for a hilarious mix up can't be excluded from the equation. I suppose that the worst that can happen is that I'm extraordinarily rendered to Algeria for some light genital torture. Winners all round!