Getting FLL robot through TSA security

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

According to the FAA, you are incorrect: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/..._batteries.pdf

Remember, the TSA is only concerned with security threats, while the FAA is concerned with all aspects of flight safety.

The NXT battery pack is Li-Ion and thus prohibited from checked luggage per the document you linked to.

[DinerKid]

Originally Posted by Bruce Newendorp

I travelled with an FLL team from Iowa to the European Open Championship in Bodø, Norway in May 2007. I was chosen to be the one to carry the precious robot and had no problem at all taking it as carry on. We placed it with some bubble wrap around it in a plastic toolbox that I had around. We left the rechargeable battery pack in it.

Just a warning about bubble wrap. I have heard horror stories about teams putting robots packed in bubble wrap arriving at their destinations bent and crushed. What happens is when the robot is put in the cargo compartment of the plane the lower pressures at high altitude cause the bubble wrap to expand (with some umph behind it) enough to bend a pretty solid vex chassis into a nice "C" shape

~DK

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

The NXT battery pack is Li-Ion and thus prohibited from checked luggage per the document you linked to.

It depends on how it is carried. I posted the link so people could see the actual rules and not keep relying on Delphi posts. For example, a Lithium Ion battery installed in an NXT would be legal in checked luggage, while one carried loose would not be. Someone reading your post, and not the actual rules, wouldn't know that.

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

It depends on how it is carried. I posted the link so people could see the actual rules and not keep relying on Delphi posts. For example, a Lithium Ion battery installed in an NXT would be legal in checked luggage, while one carried loose would not be. Someone reading your post, and not the actual rules, wouldn't know that.

Touche.

I have seen what they do with checked luggage and do not trust any electronics in it regardless of the hassle it may cause me unloading things into separate trays to pass through security.

[rsaitz]

Thanks to everyone! All very helpful, (and humorous)!

My husband, and coach of the team spoke, with TSA. They said that the robot will be treated like any other computer or electronics device. We can demonstrate it if that will help. we can show them the letter that FIRST provided us explaining the competition we are participating in. The TSA agent will have the final say. Our back up is to have the other coach, who flies down the next night, on standby to take the bot and ship overnight FedEx, but we hope to be able to get through security successfully.

The robot will be carried in a small tool box that is lined with layers of thin foam mat'l.

please keep the feedback coming if you have any other new ideas.

The Roboknights, Team 749 from MA, thank you!

[rsaitz]

wanted to give you all an update. we packed our bot in a small toolbox, batteries installed. we approached TSA and told them what we were carrying and they escorted us through security, put the bot through xray, and they also did a visual inspection. we had no problem. they recommended that you always approach TSA proactively when carrying items like this rather than getting them flagged during xray.

thanks again for all the advice.

Team 749, The Roboknights from Newton, MA