Taking Minibots on Airplanes

[Dale]

Since we'll be flying to our first regional and have a minibot with some VERY strong magnets on board I started researching what it takes to take one on an airplane. I haven't found the definitive FAA regulation but here's what a magnet supplier says:

Transportation
Transportation of magnetic materials by air in the United States is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and is covered under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 49 parts 100-185. A magnetized material is considered a hazardous material and is regulated as a hazard class 9 material when it is offered for transportation by air and when it has a magnetic field strength capable of causing the deviation of aircraft instruments. Any magnetic material with a measurable field strength greater than 0.00525 gauss at 15 feet is prohibited from air transportation. An article is not restricted as a magnetized material if the field strength observed at a distance of 7 feet is less than 0.002 gauss or there is no significant compass deflection (less than 0.5 degree).

The postal service seems to say something similar when it comes to shipping them by air.

So, if you have a minibot that you expect to take on an airplane that uses magents, check to make sure it doesn't cause any compass deviation at 7 feet. If it does consider shielding the magnets in a steel box. I suspect it needs to be checked as baggage but don't know that for sure.

Anyone have experience taking strong magnets on airlines? Ours are 1" cubes of Neodymium so strong is an understatement!