New TSA restrictions for those flying in the USA | Golden Skate

New TSA restrictions for those flying in the USA

Q

Query

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 28, 2015
This isn't skating per se. But some skaters, coaches and officials fly to competitions and shows, or to attend lessons by high end coaches. So potentially relevant to some of you.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/tsa-bans-items-checked-bags-121050118.html

Skates are still allowed - though various people have said it actually depends on the individual TSA officer. But "sharp objects" mostly aren't - so maybe someone could read that meaning the blade must be dull. And I suspect skate blades not attached to skates might be confiscated. Note that TSA sometimes says it confiscates luggage, not just banned items inside them.

Ski poles must be in checked luggage.

The rules for batteries (e.g. phone & camera & music batteries) are complicated and capacity related, and the FAA also separately regulates them. Southwest Airlines said they can't be packed out of sight - not sure if still true.

Butane powered hair driers are restricted in checked luggage.

TSA (and other national air travel rules) has sure made sports travel more complicated.

Amtrak (runs many U.S. passenger train lines) also bans sharp objects, and does not explicitly allow skates:
https://www.amtrak.com/prohibited-items

Greyhound (bus) does not explicitly list skates at
https://cdn-cf.cms.flixbus.com/drupal-assets/2023-01/Permitted and Prohibited Items List (JAN 2023) - Co-branded_GLI FBI.pdf?_sp=6a6c2368-a5c3-4512-a116-3c9a5f1ad081.1747995722335&atb_pdid=b9741457-2b9f-4f8a-be4d-4502bc415656&_spnuid=19dfec06-ee86-40cf-96fd-acf5b1bcf0ca_1747995722334
 
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My first reaction was simply to ignore your post. After all, the new regulations concern bans on certain cordless hair tools in checked bags, totally unrelated to skates in carry-on bags (topic of previous threads, and of interest to readers here). But just so you don't cause undue alarm to innocent readers here:

Query said:
Skates are still allowed - though various people have said it actually depends on the individual TSA officer.
Click to expand...

The skate regulation remains unchanged (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/skates):

Skates​

Carry On Bags: Yes
Checked Bags: Yes
Including ice skates and rollerblades.

The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.

Note the important caveat: The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint. [This caveat holds for all nominally permitted items.] ETA: A blanket caveat for all nominally permitted items further reads: "Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns."

Query said:
But "sharp objects" mostly aren't - so maybe someone could read that meaning the blade must be dull.
Click to expand...

There is no blanket prohibition of "sharp objects". There is simply an explicit list of which sharp objects are permitted or not permitted on carry-on or checked bags. See https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/sharp-objects. Note that some sharp objects are explicitly permitted on carry-on bags; so you can't deduce that skate blades must be dull. For sharp objects not explicitly on the list, the instructions state:

Contact AskTSA if your item is not listed

For items not listed here, our AskTSA team looks forward to answering your questions 365 days a year; live assistance is available from 8 am - 6 pm (ET).


Query said:
And I suspect skate blades not attached to skates might be confiscated.
Click to expand...

This is pure speculative alarmist **** on your part. For one thing, ice skate blades aren't even on the explicit list of sharp objects (so see contact information above for instructions). For another, while fairly dangerous sharp objects (such as box cutters, ice axes/ice picks, knives, meat cleavers, sabers, swords ...) are explicitly prohibited from carry-on bags, they are explicitly permitted in checked bags, with the caveat that: "Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors." So you think an unmounted skate blade is substantially more dangerous than an ice axe, meat cleaver, or saber, sufficiently more dangerous that it might be confiscated??? If you're unsure and want to play it safe, simply place your unmounted ice skate blades (safely packaged) in a checked bag.
 
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I didn't realize TSA officers have so much leeway. That could complicate things a lot.

Since bags have weight limits and/or charges for excess weight, people sometimes go through baggage check wearing their heaviest shoes, and many layers of clothing. After baggage check, they change shoes, take many layers off, and put them in a carry on bag. If you put the blades in checked luggage, you could wear your skate boots (if they are your heaviest shoes) through baggage check. Though I have seen advice here not to walk in skates without blades.

Some of the rules on batteries (e.g., you can't charge a battery or device from a portable battery charger while inside luggage, and the limits on lithium ion battery capacities) are fairly new. Some phones have high capacity batteries. So are the rules on gas powered driers. (Which skaters who want to look nice while skating might have.)

I omitted an existing rule on large containers of liquids. I, like other diabetics, should drink a lot of water and carry medicine. I would carry a to indicate medical need. (And fill the empty bottles after baggage check, because water is heavy.)

BTW, no U.S. ground transportation networks (trains, buses...) I know of have baggage checks.

Ziotic said:
I think there are likely bigger concerns with those being required to travel through US customs at present.
Click to expand...

Many international organizations might not want to schedule events and meetings in the U.S. now, because of entry restrictions, though some international skating events are already scheduled here. But many other countries limit foreign entry too. Where can people schedule an international event or meetings to prevent that interfering?
 
There was a skater at World's last year who only received her visa 4 days before the event and coach missed out completely. This is completely unacceptable and would be due to their country of origin no doubt about it.

I think it's why they never have a JGP in the USA it can be difficult to get a visa, and difficult to enter. Immigration personnel can be very aggressive it's almost like an interrogation. They must think everyone on a tourist visa wants to live there and start working illegally as a dishwasher lol even if they come from countries with higher standards of living. So odd! Never had that anywhere else.
 
Query said:
Many international organizations might not want to schedule events and meetings in the U.S. now, because of entry restrictions, though some international skating events are already scheduled here. But many other countries limit foreign entry too. Where can people schedule an international event or meetings to prevent that interfering?
Click to expand...
Probabaly nowhere. There's a reason why big political events are often held in places like Switzerland or Singapore, which are countries that generally remain politically neutral in exchange for security and whatever else.
 
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