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So my job is taking me to Indianapolis for a week+ for the third time in the last six months. This time, I'm really going to try to make the short trip up South Bend to visit the Brasswind.

Since 9/11, has anybody been hassled by the security check folks with a tuba mouthpiece in your carry on bag? I know it's a large blunt metal object, so the metal detectors are going to find them (drug paraphernalia, weapon?).

I figure they're easier to explain away when they're in the case with a tuba.

I don't know if it's better to have them in my carry on where I can keep track of them or in my checked baggage. A friend of mine suggested carrying them in their original boxes to make it easier to explain to security folks. I do have the box to my Schilke Helleberg II and Mirafone C4, but I certainly don't have the original box to my Conn Geib. What have other folks done? Am I worrying for nothing?


Christian

I've never had any trouble, but that's because I always pack it in my checked luggage. It probably depends on the airport, but some of them are very strict with carry-ons. I don't think you could go wrong checking it. I usually wrap mine in clothes in my suitcase. c

Come to think of it, I don't remember taking a mouthpiece on a civilian flight in the last four years...

But, one time when I did, I had a "guard" at the x-ray checkpoint ask to look inside my bag. She dug through there, and eventually found my mouthpiece, which was in a pouch. She asked what it was, I told her it was a tuba mouthpiece, and she called back to the person at the machine, "See, I told you it was a tuba mouthpiece!"

They had a good chuckle over it.

I have been on 3 flights within the US since 9/11, carrying my mouthpiece in my pocket. I unwrap it at the check-in, the inspectors look at it and sometimes ask someone what it is, but they have never given me a problem so far. Wish me luck this weekend.

I have flown both domestic and international MANY times sice 9/11 with at least one mouthpiece in my carry-on bag and have never been questioned.

I have carried a lot of mouthpieces on carry on, as many as 20. There is a big problem, through an xray scanner, these can look like gernades so the security people sometimes freak out. I tell them in advance so they don't hit the panic button. They open it and once they see it is indeed a tuba mouthpiece they let me go on my merry way. Since it can look like a gernage, I always carry it on so I can explain what it is.

There is another problem, some can interpret them as leathal weapon, just like brass knuckles. Never happenned to me but I had another interesting case. Once I decided to bring some of Mr Jacobs' old breathing toys to a show. Seems they did not like the compound gauge (a gauge on an aluminum pipe). They refused to let me through with it, I had to check the bag. I commonly travel with the duplicate to this (with a delrin pipie) but they did not like it. A tool Mr Jacobs used for 30 years was finally called a weapon!

i think we all learned a very important lesson from all this, almost every one of us now knows how to highjack an airplain, you know, just in case

When I fly with a horn, I always put my mouthpieces in my carry-on. If the gorillas lose your tuba at least you still have your favorite MP. I can always borrow another horn. I've been questioned about it but never had one taken from me. A weapon??? Heck, a handful of bloke pennies in a sock would work, too!

schlepporello wrote:

hurricane_harry wrote:i think we all learned a very important lesson from all this, almost every one of us now knows how to highjack an airplain, you know, just in case

Watch him guys, he's carrying a Bach 18 and he knows how to use it!

Two bits says 'Hurricane Harry' made the 'no fly' list with that comment!

If you're really concerned, and really want a mouthpiece in your carry-on, go to the music store or kellymouthpieces.com and get yourself a Lexan piece in one of the crystal colors that are at least semi-transparent, and you'll be fine. Point it out to the TSA rep or leave it at the top of your bag for easy viewing. Mine doesn't even get the slightest glance going through the inspection. It may not be your favorite mouthpiece, but if you need the job done without extra attention, it will serve you well.

Thanks to everybody who responded!

I totally forgot about my clear Kellyberg.

I'm thinking that I'm going to take along a couple in my checked baggage that are easily replaceable (my Schilke Helleberg II, replaceable, but expensive and a TU23 rather than my bored out and replated C4).



Christian

DougFowler wrote:Check 'em in! They actually can make a decent weapon if put in the toe of a heavy sock, etc., so it makes sense that TSA would confiscate them from carry-on luggage. I've had one confiscated from my briefcase during an overseas trip, when I forgot to pack it in my checked luggage.

haha...you should have been there when I took an arts and crafts "glue gun" through on my carry-on. I think they almost shut down the whole airport.

I've always found that the TSA doesn't really do much for our safety but likes to make people think they are. The last time I flew on a plane the people they spent the most time "protecting us from" were a 100 year old man with a pacemaker who could barely stand up and (I believe) almost died when they wanded him even though he had a note from his doctor and a 10 year old girl who obviously had cancer and a broken leg.

...Yet they never considered a sock and an unopened can of soda (already on the plane).

schlepporello wrote:

hurricane_harry wrote:i think we all learned a very important lesson from all this, almost every one of us now knows how to highjack an airplain, you know, just in case

Watch him guys, he's carrying a Bach 18 and he knows how to use it!

Bach 18?! That's nothing! How about tn R&S Heavy Helleberg? Now THAT'S something to fear!

schlepporello wrote:Bach 24AW + good, thick tube sock = formidable weapon
Hmmmmm.
Why do I need a shotgun? :wink:

This is another example of the lunacy of the TSA rules. When they first change the rules (post 9/11/2001) I had to laugh. Banning nail clippers? Like anyone would use something that error prone. Youd hurt you self almost as much as your victim. Now the newer vehicle key would be my choice, especiall the ones with RFID systems. Big smooth plastic handle, with a sharp metal point on the other end. Stick the metal between your middle and ring finger, make a fist and punch. I haven't heard cries to ban car keys though. ball point pens are quite handy too, especiall the super fine points. Again, never heard of anyone haveing trouble with them.


The TSA rules are not equally enforced either. I took my Zippo lighter on plane for years. Ony had trouble one time (before 9/11/2001). That trip I took it through security here, in Memphis, and Boston gave me a hard time. In the previous year I had gone through security in Atlanta, Dallas (DFW), San Francisco, and San Jose, as well without even a second look.

I just got back from a weekend trip to Dallas, and took only a small carry on bag, which included, among my clothes and various toiletries, my euph and tuba mouthpieces, a bottle of pills for my mom, and about twenty little tiny boxes of some kind of make up (also for my mom, she forgot them).

So, they run my bag, stop, stare at the xray, run it again. Stop it, stare at the xray, get someone else to look at the xray, then pull me aside and ask to search my bag, all because of the mouthpieces. I explained to the TSA guy what they were before he opened the bag, but when he opened it, right on top, that's right, full coverage foundation tubes, in ivory and beige, all over the top of my bag.

I mean, what am I supposed to say???!!! (LOL)

well thought i'de chime in with my horror story, going on a school trip to japan for a homestay situation they confiscated my switchblade comb of wich i had on my carryon, on the way back a student had bought a set of samurai swords, after a little bit of begging and after explaining that the swords were going to be under lock and key they let him bring them on the plane as a carry-on! HA! BEAT THAT!