Thread: TSA and Razor Theft

You can lock your bag with an approved lock. Buy one that has a tattle tale indicator on in that tells if it has been unlocked by TSA. I have not, thus far, had them open a bag with said lock on it. I am sure that it is not foolproof but I think it is just another layer of prevention.


Take care,
Richard

There are 2 ways to "solve" this problem.

One: The photographers trick.
Get a starter pistol or possibly even a cap gun and a hard sided case.
Then declare it to the airline. TSA has you open and show them the "weapon" they verify its not loaded etc then you lock the case with your Real Lock and you keep the key. You must be present for it to be opened. (in extreme situations they at least must contact you before they do anything to the locks) Some say it increases the likelihood your luggage arrives with you.

Two: Ship it ahead.
I have had the address of the place I am staying before traveling in most cases, with that you can mail it to your self, then pick it up at the desk.
USPS, Fedex, etc that way on the rare occasion there is a problem the items are documented and insured. Still sux they are gone but at least its not a total loss.

These do not eliminate the need for a backup plan, but they keep the TSA and luggage handlers out of your razors

I wil be upfront and preface my comment by saying that it adds absolutely nothing meaningful to this discussion:

There is no rhyme or reason to the things our government or its employees do. Governments have oppressed people for thousands of years, and now we could include theft of straights to that list of oppression.

I've flown with straights a few times now, always with pieces I consider to be great shavers but definitely beaters. Old framebacks, crusty Sheffies, etc. I've never even considered a DE or shavette, don't own any and I don't know how to use them.
A friend of mine really wanted to see some of my shinier pieces in person and I almost went along with it, but decided against a) packing them for fear of losing them and b) shipping them ahead because, why spend the money when I have a few perfectly shaving uglies laying around? For what it's worth.

I've only traveled with a checked straight a couple of times, one that is a workhorse-but not to be missed if it turned up missing, anyway, I just roll it up in a sock and then place it in a pair of shoes in the bottom of the suitcase. It has arrived at its destination each time.

I have two slots cut in my Plano Case. My two razors that I take will be sitting right next to the Sig or Glock that I travel with. I do not Airline often and I must check the firearm therefore the razors go into the same locked case with the gun. I always get strange looks from the TSA goobers when checking the case. I always have a case in the planes I fly just in case I have to airline back to home base.

I carry a Swiss Army Knife almost every where. In fact I feel uncomfortable with out it. Since you cant take them on a plane anymore I do the same thing and put it in a sock and a shoe in my checked bag. I also have a pouch on my roll away under the handle for a strap that has just enough room for it under the strap.

Been carrying the same one now for about 8 years.

There isn't a lot of time when they are rummaging through bags and I imagine once in a while something is bound to fall out by accident.
If there isn't anything worth having an "accident" quickly available the criminals likely move on for many reasons.

All though on my way back from Colorado last season with my new Ski Logic Ullr's Chariot I know they took them out and set them side by side.
They did a real crap job of bundling them back up, it wouldn't surprise me if some one said "it would be a shame if those got lost" I almost made a seen when I picked them up at baggage claim.

But I have also flown cross country with a case of beer in my checked luggage and it was fine.

Since having my luggage lost the 3 times in a row about 4 years back I try never to check luggage if I do not have to. Since starting shaving with Straights/DEs I have done a couple different things. First I have a Fromm Hair shaper which was 5 or 10 bucks from Sally's that I can take with me if I want to shave with a straight. The problem with that is I can not always find blades depending on where I am going. I normally will bring a DE with no blades because you can almost always find a Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc.. in the area that has blades. Sure they may be a little sub-standard but if I am only going to be shaving once or twice while I am gone it is not that big of a deal and I just pitch the extras. If I have to stay longer than a couple of days then I normally have checked luggage and will still take my DE on the plane in my carry on but will put a pack of razors in my checked luggage in a non-branded container. I very rarely take an actual straight on a plane with me as I have had many small things come up missing even before all the high alert stuff had happened and the economy took a dump.

Originally Posted by Shangas

As I will be taking a journey to Europe at the end of the year, this thread is of interest to me.

I am very curious to know - WHY would a baggage-checker WANT to steal a straight razor? For what purpose? It's not like they're watches or fine pens or DVDs...it'd be much harder to try and fence a razor or something...

If your going through Charles degaul be very cautious about what you pack in your check in luggage every time i fly through Paris my luggage is gone through and things taken and thats just why the luggage is being transferred to another plane .
I have lost cameras, underwear ? (strange) presents I have bought for friends . tsa locks and zippers are nothing to open try it with your bags that zip up use the point of a knife and pop it open zip it up again and you never know till you notice something missing..

Have I mis-understood something here? You lot are saying you aren't allowed to take DE blades in your luggage. The stuff that is taken away and put in the hold of the aircraft. Is that right? Are you blokes sure you live in a free country?!


Mick