Traveling with swords...tips? Experiences?

[Carol]

Recently at a seminar I met a person that is heavily involved in sword training. I was intrugued by the travel case the artist was using...a black cloth shoulderbag that looked like a case for a musical instrument. The white logo of the company (which included a thinly stitched sword in the design) sewn in to the bag was the only hint of the contents inside.

So, for you sword practitioners...how do you carry your swords?

Have you flown with them? If so, how do you package them for the rigors of the cargo bay?

Have you traveled internationally? Any experiences to share relating to swords and customs?

I've heard it said before that, esepecially in the US, when one is traveling with Martial Arts weapons on one's person (or in one's vehicle), that one should also be in posession of other items that identify oneself as a martial artist....such as MA shoes or uniform or a T-shirt identifying the name of your school. Is this a practice that you follow?

Alternatively, for the good folks that live outside of the US, is this practice necessary for where you live?

Any tips...feedback....experiences...stories....all are greatly appreciated! :)

[JohnJ]

I've flown both domestic and international and simply checked in my equipment which included "live" swords and even knives. I don't believe there are serious concerns providing they are checked in. My biggest concern was whether or not I would see them again. It was in my stick bag which was packed in a larger bag with martial arts books, videos, t-shirts etc.

[Douglas]

Hi, I've dabbled in every sword art I could find over the last 30 years, and even traveled with swords. Heck, I once packed a spear and shield on an airplane - check-in baggage of course.

Avoid the tendency to get a rifle case and use that; it'll attract way too much attention. Your instinct to use something designed for musical instruments is sound :) it protects delicate instruments and doesn't attract attention. Golf bags are also good.

Bon voyage!

-Douglas

[Carol]

Hi, I've dabbled in every sword art I could find over the last 30 years, and even traveled with swords. Heck, I once packed a spear and shield on an airplane - check-in baggage of course.

Avoid the tendency to get a rifle case and use that; it'll attract way too much attention. Your instinct to use something designed for musical instruments is sound :) it protects delicate instruments and doesn't attract attention. Golf bags are also good.

Bon voyage!

-Douglas

Golf bags! Never even thought of something like that.

The shoulder bag that my friend was carrying was designed specifically for swords...but...it was so discreet and professional looking I never would have guessed she was carring bladed weapons. She could be carrying that case anywhere and no one would have batted an eye.

Douglas, do you have any good or amusing stories to share about your travel? I personally don't. I have a few stories about lost luggage, but none about traveling with bladed weapons. :D

[Douglas]

I was once arrested for carrying a boot dagger. I had a machete with me at the time and after the dust had cleared, the police gave the machete back to me, almost with apologies. ;)

[Sheldon Bedell]

Many years ago when i would hitch hike to my instructors school I carried my sword in a leather case over my shoulder. The police stopped me a few times, mostly to tell me it was illegal to hitch hick, but never once asked for my sword. They did ask why i has one and a large belt knife but after explaining where I was going and having my uniform and other weapons in my other bag the police where always satisfied.
Also many years ago when some of the flying regulation where a bit laxer I was with a group and one of our members forgot he had his balisong on him, The officials at the airport confiscated it but the did give it to the pilot and it was returned to our member when he got off the plane

[media]

Recently came back from a trip to the Philippines. Brought a barong and kris (wrapped very diligently.) No problem through airport security in Manila and the States.

[Carol]

Welcome to FMAtalk, Media! Glad you joined us :)

[media]

Thank you! Honored to be join a great group discussing my beloved art.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Just check them in and pray that they actually get delivered. If I was taking one of my really expensive swords then I would fed ex it to the hotel I was going to. (insure it and enjoy it when it arrived) Otherwise just check them in and pray! http://www.fmatalk.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Carol]

Ooohhh...FedEx'ing. What a great idea...and an option I didn't really think of. :)

[Carol]

Thank you! Honored to be join a great group discussing my beloved art.

The pleasure is ours :bow:

Don't be afraid to introduce yourself in the Meet and Greet section. We love talking about training around here :)

[arnisador]

I hadn't thought of FedEx/UPS/etc. either, but now that it's mentioned it does seem like an obvious idea. They'll all benefit from the airline security concerns. Of course...they then just put the stuff on their own planes!

[Brian R. VanCise]

Yes, when you get into really expensive swords then Fed Ex is definately an option.

[kuntawguro]

I went to Orlando for a seminar. With me i took 2 kris 2 barong, 20 sets of sticks, 10 sibat, and a ton of small blades. I put the knives and swords into a gear bag and put th e blades in T shirts. the sticks and sibat were in a SKI bag. They made it there and back with no problems.

[silat1]

take it from experience, FEDEX will not transport sharp and pointy items due to their security requirements.. I tried to bring in some karambits from Indonesia that I had ordered from an acquaintance who lived there.. when he took them to FEDEX, he was told that it was against their regulations to ship anything like that.

When I traveled back and forth to the Philippines and the states with blades, I put them in a suitcase with a couple of my business cards on the outside as identifiers. There was one time when I was coming back through Manila where I almost lost my whole shipment when security there x-rayed the package that I had them wrapped in, but when they asked me why I was traveling with swords and machetes, I told them that I was an instructor who just finished a month's worth of training in the country and the blades were gifts from my instructor..

I've had more problems with the airport rentacops and tsa than I have had in all the international travels that I've done in the last 30 yrs. I actually had a kubotan that was a gift from one of my instructors taken from me in Philadelphia when I was coming back overseas.. The argument between the rentacop and myself made me late for my plane due to this jerk wanting to be an armchair counterterrorist specialist by overstepping his grounds and authority.. I wound up having the kubotan sent back to my home on guam after expressing my opinion on his abilities to recognize the difference between a piece of metal and a keychain. After that I went to the lanyard with keys on it, less hassle and more options for use when on a plane if needed.. BTW: anyone know where I can get some lanyards made with kevlar? after all, a person always needs a place to put their pens or keys when traveling.

[PG Michael B]

When I was in the Philippines last year I had a bit of trouble when flying in country with my blades...it cost me some pesos to the local authorities and they let me go. On the way home I was also questioned but eventually aloud to take them out of country after they secured and banded my luggage.

I recently came home from a seminar I did in Chicago and was detained by the police in Midway airport...they asked me why I checked a bag full of sticks and a live blade sword & knife...I am still unsure what the problem was but they hassled me for about 20 minutes or so and then let me go....

My instructor Yuli Romo was trying to send some blades via UPS from Manila to me in Texas and UPS would not allow him to send them..thus I will bring them back on my next trip this summer....

So make sure you have a little pay off cash on hand when your travelling in the PI and just stay cool and you should be able to bring some blades home...

[arnisador]

Juggler’s Knives Inspire a Command Performance (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/03/business/03flier.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=juggler%20knives&st=cse)


The security people X-rayed my bag and immediately pulled me out of the line.

I was a little nervous when they asked my why I was attempting to travel to Memphis with three rusty meat knives. I told them I was going to the Cotton Carnival, and went into a rather long-winded explanation of the people who dress up as boll weevils. I then told them the meat knives were part of my act.

The security people left me alone for a few minutes and whispered among themselves, each one carefully holding and examining a different knife. Finally, they broke their huddle and approached me with grim looks on their faces. One of the guards, who I assume was their leader, extended the three knives toward me and said that they wanted to see me juggle.
[...]
That was all pre-9/11. I can only imagine how differently that story would have played out in today’s airports.

[tjp]

One thing that has worked for me is "out of sight, out of mind".

Generally when I fly I like to wrap my edc blades in socks and put them in an extra pair of shoes in my bag. If I am travelling with something bigger than a folder, I wrap it in clothes, and put it in the middle of my bag. I have found that packing this way adds some extra protection whether it be from rough handling of my luggage, to prying eyes and possibly sticky fingers.

Hope this helps,
Tony

[sjansen]

The golf bag idea came up in a black belt magazine article that I read several months ago. You will not have to pay for an oversized bag and will not get the questions you usually get.

[adam t babb]

i have heard of peapole useing a hard case for golf clubs to carry both swords and guns.as far as fedex and UPS they will only tell you no if you tell them you are sending somthing sharp (make sure you pack it so it dosent move ie lots of foam & bubble wrap

[bentit]

When I was in the Philippines last year I had a bit of trouble when flying in country with my blades...it cost me some pesos to the local authorities and they let me go. On the way home I was also questioned but eventually aloud to take them out of country after they secured and banded my luggage.

I recently came home from a seminar I did in Chicago and was detained by the police in Midway airport...they asked me why I checked a bag full of sticks and a live blade sword & knife...I am still unsure what the problem was but they hassled me for about 20 minutes or so and then let me go....

My instructor Yuli Romo was trying to send some blades via UPS from Manila to me in Texas and UPS would not allow him to send them..thus I will bring them back on my next trip this summer....

So make sure you have a little pay off cash on hand when your travelling in the PI and just stay cool and you should be able to bring some blades home...

Unfortunately this is true in some small airports. My cousin was stopped at cagayan de oro airport because he had some rattan sticks in his luggage for check in. The officer gave him a ;) look and said "for a small amount we can let is slide". That was the only time he was stopped. manila airport had no problem so was Jacksonville, FL. He went back to the Phils. last year and the same airport "embargoed" his blade and sticks.. so I dont know what was the deal with that:confused:

[lmanalo]

greetings!
i have travelled with live blades & trainers cross-country before with varying results; they were always with my checked-in luggage.
some airports i've had no issues, other airports- i've had to explain to staff that i'm a martial artist and that i was teaching/participating at a seminar. But each time I was able to pass through.
however, we have heard that it has become increasingly difficult, especially for our students that travel internationally.
i always recommend that those students have printed material to support their training- flyers, business cards, and a contact # that the authorities could call or a website that they could confirm.
if i were to transport a blade that was a gift, perhaps a letter confirming that with a business card attached.

i am going to research that Fed-ex option though.

respectfully,
leo manalo
Full Instructor Atienza Kali

[lmanalo]

greetings!
i just got off the phone with Fed-Ex & the representative confirmed that there were no restrictions on shipping swords or training weapons.
the only restrictions they had were firearms.

i had called stating that i was going to fly to a martial arts seminar & had issues with airports and security before and had called to see if i could ship some swords/trainers ahead of my trip. the representative was not sure about any restrictions on swords so had to confirm with his supervisor. he came back online to tell me that there were no restrictions on swords as long as they were properly/safely wrapped.

so looks like i might be using Fed-Ex on my next trip =)

respectfully,
leo manalo
Full Instructor Atienza Kali

[De Campo JDC-IO]

I recently came back from the Philippines and had issues at the airport in Dumaguete. After screening my check in bag, the PNP requested I open my suitcase. After reveling I had a few swords and knives I was asked to follow them into a back room. At first they said I would have to separate them from my luggage and claim them at the PNP station in Manila. Eventually I was allowed to check them in as a normal check in thanks to the help of a porter who was helping us out. The bags were marked for the connecting flight to LAX. The issue came later as I never saw my bag(s) in Manila. Since our connecting flight was later in the day we went "shopping" in Manila. When we went to check in another bag that had more "toys" the check in girl told me I already had four bags checked in and this new bag would cost $150 as a penalty for too many check ins. Jokingly I said I'll be more then happy to carry this bag on but no one laughed when they found out the contents. Thankfully I was able to talk my way through it and was not charged anything. The moral of the story is plan ahead and travel light!

[arnisador]

Seen on MT:
Martial artist wins court battle over weapons (http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090813/mtl_sai_090813/20090813/?hub=MontrealHome)


A martial artist who boarded an airplane with weapons in his luggage has won a two-year court battle against Montreal police.

Michael Ruckenstein, 75, and his wife Luz Paa were awarded a $7,500 in damages after they missed a flight to Australia when police stopped them over short sword-like weapons, called sai, in his bag.

[arnisador]

Checking Weapons Cache Okay, As Long As It's Declared (http://gothamist.com/2010/05/13/nj_man_identified_as_egyptair_passe.php)


Finally, the TSA is weighing in on the Egyptair passenger who, after a flight from JFK Airport, was detained at Cairo's airport because of his two 9mm guns, ammunition, swords, daggers and knives in his baggage. The agency said that checking weapons in bags was totally fine as long as they were declared to the airline, but regulations differ in various countries, so passengers should check the rules in their destinations. Plus, the TSA screeners just check for explosives, not firearms.

More details here (http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7018686413):

A U.S. citizen of Egyptian origin who flew from New York's JFK airport was arrested at Cairo airport Wednesday for carrying weapons in his checked-in luggage.http://www.allheadlinenews.com/images/cp.gif

Mohamed Ibrahim Marei, a U.S. university professor of botany, arrived by Egypt Air flight 986 with two 9-mm handguns, 250 bullets, two swords and 11 knives in a secret compartment in a bag.


The discovery happened after customs officials found him nervous and decided to check his luggage.