Jump to content

Camo taped caches through airport inspection

DougDawn

By DougDawn
in General geocaching topics

Followers 3

Recommended Posts

DougDawn

DougDawn

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Does anyone have any experience with taking camo-taped plastic bottle caches through airport scanner inspections in Canada and the USA?

 

Why would you need to?

Because I want to take some ready-made caches to another country so that someone I know living there can plant them. They don't have camo tape or containers.

Link to comment
6NoisyHikers

+6NoisyHikers

Posted
Posted

I've never tried it but I wouldn't want to. Standing in your socks at airport security is not the place you want to be explaining about geocaching.

 

At the very least, all of the containers should be in one clear plastic ziplock with all of the lids removed. At best, I wouldn't camo-tape them yet. Take the plain bottles (still pre-opened) and the roll of tape seperately. Save yourself the grief and tape them when you arrive at your destination.

Link to comment
The A-Team

+The A-Team

Posted
Posted

Take the plain bottles (still pre-opened) and the roll of tape seperately.

This.

A camo-taped bottle can look suspicious. A plain bottle and a roll of camo tape, not so much.

I always take an empty Nalgene bottle through airport security, then fill it from the water fountains within the secure area so I have lots of water handy on the flight. I've never had anyone question the bottle. I have had security ask me about my Garmin Oregon, though. It's an oddly-shaped device, packed with electronics, so it looks really strange on their X-ray.

Link to comment
The A-Team

+The A-Team

Posted
Posted

There are camouflaged shirts, watches, notebooks, pencils, iPhones, cups, etc. I'm not sure why airport security would give a camouflaged plastic bottle a second look. Just don't carry over 100 ml of liquid in it.

I think they would have a problem with it because they can't see what's inside. I don't think it's the camo that would be the problem, but that the contents of the bottle would be concealed. If they can't see inside it, it's harder for them to tell if there is 100 ml of liquid in it or not.

Link to comment
T.D.M.22

+T.D.M.22

Posted
Posted

I could see that someone might have a problem with them on carry on, but I'm sure you put them with the rest of your luggage there won't be a problem at all. I mean if the xray the bags how are they going to tell camo tape on a bottle(for example) apart from a pink bottle. You can take knifes, guns, and other stuff in your luggage that's not carried on as well so I really don't see a problem.

Link to comment
DougDawn

DougDawn

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If they are in your checked baggage, I doubt there would be a problem.

 

Keeping the containers and tape separate would probably be even better.

 

The real question is why do you want to curse your 'friend' (and the country he lives in) with such low-quality containers? :unsure:

 

Pill bottles! Really man, surely you could do better than that?

 

Oh my. Not sure how you read cursed, low quality pill bottles into my question. I can assure you that large, heavy duty, wide mouth plastic bottles are proven to be one of the best waterproof containers you will find for geocaches :)

 

I don't need abusive comments so I'm out of this discussion now.

Link to comment
dprovan

+dprovan

Posted
Posted

Standing in your socks at airport security is not the place you want to be explaining about geocaching.

Actually, that sounds quite a bit better than lots of places I've had to explaining about geocaching.

 

Really, I seriously don't think this would be a problem. In fact, I can't even imagine why it would come up. The X-ray will show an empty bottle. The operator won't even blink. In the absolute and truly hard to believe worst case, they inspect them. Big deal. It's not like they're going to draw their guns because someone has an opaque bottle in their carry-on.

Link to comment
eusty

+eusty

Posted
Posted

I might have missed something here but are the caches you hide supposed to be easily maintained by you? How is this achieved in a different country?

 

You missed this bit :)

 

 

Because I want to take some ready-made caches to another country so that someone I know living there can plant them. They don't have camo tape or containers.

 

Link to comment
BBWolf+3Pigs

+BBWolf+3Pigs

Posted
Posted

I might have missed something here but are the caches you hide supposed to be easily maintained by you? How is this achieved in a different country?

 

You missed this bit :)

 

 

Because I want to take some ready-made caches to another country so that someone I know living there can plant them. They don't have camo tape or containers.

 

 

Sounds a bit fishy to me. They don't have any sort of containers in the country they are going to? Camo tape I understand...but containers?

 

I had asked my original question because it sounded like it was going to be a vacation hide.

Link to comment
CanadianRockies

+CanadianRockies

Posted
Posted

There are camouflaged shirts, watches, notebooks, pencils, iPhones, cups, etc. I'm not sure why airport security would give a camouflaged plastic bottle a second look. Just don't carry over 100 ml of liquid in it.

I think they would have a problem with it because they can't see what's inside. I don't think it's the camo that would be the problem, but that the contents of the bottle would be concealed. If they can't see inside it, it's harder for them to tell if there is 100 ml of liquid in it or not.

They allow metal water bottles through airport security. If they suspect there's too much liquid inside, then they simply open the bottle and look (or pour the liquid into another container).

Link to comment
BBWolf+3Pigs

+BBWolf+3Pigs

Posted
Posted

There are camouflaged shirts, watches, notebooks, pencils, iPhones, cups, etc. I'm not sure why airport security would give a camouflaged plastic bottle a second look. Just don't carry over 100 ml of liquid in it.

I think they would have a problem with it because they can't see what's inside. I don't think it's the camo that would be the problem, but that the contents of the bottle would be concealed. If they can't see inside it, it's harder for them to tell if there is 100 ml of liquid in it or not.

They allow metal water bottles through airport security. If they suspect there's too much liquid inside, then they simply open the bottle and look (or pour the liquid into another container).

 

That's not what I've seen. If a person had an 8oz bottle with liquid it in, even if only a very small amount, they ask the person to get rid of the entire bottle/liquid. Remember, any bottle with liquid in it has to fit inside a 1qt zip lock bag.

 

If the bottle is empty (such as an empty 1l. water bottle), there is no issue.

Link to comment
CanadianRockies

+CanadianRockies

Posted
Posted

There are camouflaged shirts, watches, notebooks, pencils, iPhones, cups, etc. I'm not sure why airport security would give a camouflaged plastic bottle a second look. Just don't carry over 100 ml of liquid in it.

I think they would have a problem with it because they can't see what's inside. I don't think it's the camo that would be the problem, but that the contents of the bottle would be concealed. If they can't see inside it, it's harder for them to tell if there is 100 ml of liquid in it or not.

They allow metal water bottles through airport security. If they suspect there's too much liquid inside, then they simply open the bottle and look (or pour the liquid into another container).

That's not what I've seen. If a person had an 8oz bottle with liquid it in, even if only a very small amount, they ask the person to get rid of the entire bottle/liquid. Remember, any bottle with liquid in it has to fit inside a 1qt zip lock bag.

 

If the bottle is empty (such as an empty 1l. water bottle), there is no issue.

Then the OP can make sure the water bottle is empty when they bring it through security. Easy peasy. The point is, it doesn't matter if the water bottle is opaque or clear.

Link to comment
AZcachemeister

AZcachemeister

Posted
Posted

If they are in your checked baggage, I doubt there would be a problem.

 

Keeping the containers and tape separate would probably be even better.

 

The real question is why do you want to curse your 'friend' (and the country he lives in) with such low-quality containers? :unsure:

 

Pill bottles! Really man, surely you could do better than that?

 

Oh my. Not sure how you read cursed, low quality pill bottles into my question. I can assure you that large, heavy duty, wide mouth plastic bottles are proven to be one of the best waterproof containers you will find for geocaches :)

 

I don't need abusive comments so I'm out of this discussion now.

 

My sincere apologies.

I read a detail into your post that wasn't there.

Link to comment
DougDawn

DougDawn

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If they are in your checked baggage, I doubt there would be a problem.

 

Keeping the containers and tape separate would probably be even better.

 

The real question is why do you want to curse your 'friend' (and the country he lives in) with such low-quality containers? :unsure:

 

Pill bottles! Really man, surely you could do better than that?

 

Oh my. Not sure how you read cursed, low quality pill bottles into my question. I can assure you that large, heavy duty, wide mouth plastic bottles are proven to be one of the best waterproof containers you will find for geocaches :)

 

I don't need abusive comments so I'm out of this discussion now.

 

My sincere apologies.

I read a detail into your post that wasn't there.

.......

Thank you AZcachemeister, perhaps I should have been clearer / more specific as to exactly what I was intending in my initial posting :)

At this point I believe I shall just take a few of my surplus, larger, screw-top, plastic bottles and a roll of camo tape so that my son, who lives in that third world country, can customize them and place them for caching. Thx to all the rest who provided input too.

Link to comment
NYPaddleCacher

+NYPaddleCacher

Posted
Posted

If they are in your checked baggage, I doubt there would be a problem.

 

Keeping the containers and tape separate would probably be even better.

 

The real question is why do you want to curse your 'friend' (and the country he lives in) with such low-quality containers? :unsure:

 

Pill bottles! Really man, surely you could do better than that?

 

Oh my. Not sure how you read cursed, low quality pill bottles into my question. I can assure you that large, heavy duty, wide mouth plastic bottles are proven to be one of the best waterproof containers you will find for geocaches :)

 

I don't need abusive comments so I'm out of this discussion now.

 

My sincere apologies.

I read a detail into your post that wasn't there.

.......

Thank you AZcachemeister, perhaps I should have been clearer / more specific as to exactly what I was intending in my initial posting :)

At this point I believe I shall just take a few of my surplus, larger, screw-top, plastic bottles and a roll of camo tape so that my son, who lives in that third world country, can customize them and place them for caching. Thx to all the rest who provided input too.

 

Okay, now you've got me wondering what country that is. There are a lot of developing countries that could use more geocaches.

Link to comment
DougDawn

DougDawn

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Dominican Republic - it seems to have a few caches in the coastal, sunbathing, lazy, just kidding :) areas, but my son wants to place some inland where the adventure tourism geocachers visit. And I plan to release a TB when I visit there just to see if it will move around and escape on a world tour.

Link to comment
wmpastor

+wmpastor

Posted
Posted (edited)

I suggest one more item in the suitcase - a page or so printed out on the subject of "what is geocaching?" Why? To cover a worst-case scenario, which I presume is why the question was raised in this forum in the first place. The camo tape will clear US inspection for airline security, we all agree. Now imagine the inspection on arrival in a third-world country. The Customs Officer opens the suitcase. Officers with submachine guns stand near the exits. (I'm not dreaming this up - I've seen it!) The Officer asks, why the camo tape? The adult bringing it in says it's for a hide-&-seek game. <_< The Officer looks at you like you've got two heads and you're escorted to a back room for a more thorough search and interview. Etc. :o

 

Let us know how it turns out after you're back from your trip. :huh:

Edited by wmpastor
Link to comment
NYPaddleCacher

+NYPaddleCacher

Posted
Posted

I suggest one more item in the suitcase - a page or so printed out on the subject of "what is geocaching?" Why? To cover a worst-case scenario, which I presume is why the question was raised in this forum in the first place. The camo tape will clear US inspection for airline security, we all agree. Now imagine the inspection on arrival in a third-world country. The Customs Officer opens the suitcase. Officers with submachine guns stand near the exits. (I'm not dreaming this up - I've seen it!) The Officer asks, why the camo tape? The adult bringing it in says it's for a hide-&-seek game. <_< The Officer looks at you like you've got two heads and you're escorted to a back room for a more thorough search and interview. Etc. :o

 

Let us know how it turns out after you're back from your trip. :huh:

 

I've traveled to about 20 different countries in the past 10 years and have never had customs look through my luggage. In most countries you don't even have to fill out a customs declaration form and can just follow the "nothing to declare" signs after going through immigration. Entering the U.S. is one of the few exceptions, where you actually have to stop and hand a declaration form to a customs agent who might ask a couple of questions regarding where you had been and the reason for traveling. I've seen a couple of other variations. In Ethiopia I had to run my luggage through a x-ray machine before leaving the airport. In Mexico city, there was a button that you had to push that activated a red or green light. I saw several people push it and it always lit the green light, but I assume if the red light went on you'd have to stop and talk to a customs agent. I've been through quite a few airports where there were officers with submachine guns (including Paris). It might be a bit shocking because it's something that you don't see in the U.S. but it's "normal" in may places.

Link to comment
wmpastor

+wmpastor

Posted
Posted

I suggest one more item in the suitcase - a page or so printed out on the subject of "what is geocaching?" Why? To cover a worst-case scenario, which I presume is why the question was raised in this forum in the first place. The camo tape will clear US inspection for airline security, we all agree. Now imagine the inspection on arrival in a third-world country. The Customs Officer opens the suitcase. Officers with submachine guns stand near the exits. (I'm not dreaming this up - I've seen it!) The Officer asks, why the camo tape? The adult bringing it in says it's for a hide-&-seek game. <_< The Officer looks at you like you've got two heads and you're escorted to a back room for a more thorough search and interview. Etc. :o

 

Let us know how it turns out after you're back from your trip. :huh:

 

I've traveled to about 20 different countries in the past 10 years and have never had customs look through my luggage. In most countries you don't even have to fill out a customs declaration form and can just follow the "nothing to declare" signs after going through immigration. Entering the U.S. is one of the few exceptions, where you actually have to stop and hand a declaration form to a customs agent who might ask a couple of questions regarding where you had been and the reason for traveling. I've seen a couple of other variations. In Ethiopia I had to run my luggage through a x-ray machine before leaving the airport. In Mexico city, there was a button that you had to push that activated a red or green light. I saw several people push it and it always lit the green light, but I assume if the red light went on you'd have to stop and talk to a customs agent. I've been through quite a few airports where there were officers with submachine guns (including Paris). It might be a bit shocking because it's something that you don't see in the U.S. but it's "normal" in may places.

Link to comment
wmpastor

+wmpastor

Posted
Posted

My only point is this: luggage searches on arrival do happen, and some caching supplies (e.g., camoed items) may be suspicious to certain inspectors. Therefore the simple step of a one-page "what is geocaching" print-out, preferably in the native language, can easily address that possible situation.

Link to comment
NYPaddleCacher

+NYPaddleCacher

Posted
Posted

My only point is this: luggage searches on arrival do happen, and some caching supplies (e.g., camoed items) may be suspicious to certain inspectors. Therefore the simple step of a one-page "what is geocaching" print-out, preferably in the native language, can easily address that possible situation.

 

I understand. TSA agents can take the "what is geocaching" flyer when they put there "your checked luggage has been screened by TSA" (which I've found in my checked bags pretty much every time I've traveled at had a checked bag). I was just trying to dispel any fears some might have upon arrival in a foreign country and see a security force carrying machine guns.

 

I haven't really checked lately but I seem to recall that the "What is Geocaching" flyer is available in quite a few languages.

Link to comment
Zerpersande

Zerpersande

Posted
Posted

Does anyone have any experience with taking camo-taped plastic bottle caches through airport scanner inspections in Canada and the USA?

My daughter recently took a cache from here in Japan to Canada. Basically a small plastic screw-top 50ml container with a travel bug inside. It might raise some eye-brows with security as carry-on but if they open it, what's to find?

Link to comment
wmpastor

+wmpastor

Posted
Posted

Does anyone have any experience with taking camo-taped plastic bottle caches through airport scanner inspections in Canada and the USA?

My daughter recently took a cache from here in Japan to Canada. Basically a small plastic screw-top 50ml container with a travel bug inside. It might raise some eye-brows with security as carry-on but if they open it, what's to find?

 

You tell us -- some swag? $100 FTF prize? :D

Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
Followers 3
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...