I tend to take the simplest approach whenever possible. If I were a TSA
employee and had to inspect a bunch of luggage I might especially appreciate
having odd luggage packed in such a way that it was easy to inspect. If I
were a low paid TSA employee with a bad attitude I might take my
frustrations out on luggage containers that were hard to inspect and
involved a great deal of care to repack.
Perhaps the above explains why I have never been a fan of the sport tube as
a sailplane carrier. Of course, the other reason is that I always have a
ready supply of shipping boxes that are just the right size for packing
model sailplanes. All I do is take one of my double wall shipping boxes that
measure 12" x 12" x 69" and cut it down to a convenient size. For traveling
to Poway with DLG models the box ends up being about 64" x 12" x 9". I then
reinforce the box with 1/4" plywood on the inside. This is really simple
too. I just cut the plywood to size and stick it to the inside of the box
with 3M77 (my favorite tool, by the way). I only line the sides, not the top
and bottom. The main function of the plywood is to prevent the box from
being crushed or especially from being broken in half on conveyors. I then
use a couple luggage straps around the outside of the box for a handle and
as a closure system. I tape the box closed with packing tape also for
airline travel. If TSA does want to look inside they can cut the tape and
retape it easily. But they usually don't since the box is essentially
transparent to the Xray machine.
I can pack six DLG models in that box. I just put each wing in a sleeve made
from clear bubble wrap. For an actual airline flight I might wrap some
bubble wrap around each fuselage. I then just drop the airplane parts in the
box, the stabs go in loose with no extra padding. If the box isn't quite
full I'll add a few layers of bubble wrap to keep stuff from banging around
inside the box. I get a warm cozy feeling about my box. I know that even the
most lazy or hurried or annoyed TSA employee will have no trouble repacking
my box and will have no trouble seeing what is inside the box. I also know
that this style of box is strong enough to take any concievable abuse and I
can make almost any size box I want very quickly.
I put all heavy things and things that would look suspicious on an Xray in
my other checked bag. Only the models go in the model box. I'm not sure my
model box has ever been inspected, at least I've never found one of those
little TSA notes inside. I find those notes in my other checked bag all the
time because that bag has transmitters, batteries, voltmeters, lead ballast,
etc in it.
Only clothes and non threatening touristy sorts of things go in my carry on
bag so I don't have hassles there either.
Phil
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