OT: Flying with a Thermapen?

DMW

For those of you that have flown somewhere and cooked. Have you taken your Thermapen with you? If so, can you have it in your carry on, or will TSA take it and claim it could be used as a weapon? Not sure I trust packing it in checked baggage...

JRWhitee

That is a good question, I travel all the time and they have tried to take a cork screw from me. I had to go back to the car as I didn't want to loose that one, it was a gift.

SGH

@DMW‌
You can not take it on board. It must go in you checked baggage.

Cremon

They will confiscate it if you try to take it on the plane.  That's a loss of $100, not some bic lighter or a pocket knife.  Like SGH said - check it in your baggage.

TexanOfTheNorth

I'm certain that they would not let you through security if they found it. On the other hand, TSA is pretty inconsistent from one airport to the next so, they're just as likely to not find it or think to look at it. I would not take the chance though... put it in a checked bag.

Big_Green_Craig

I would say that they would not let it through. Not because "it could be used as a weapon", but more because they are uncertain about it. 

DMW

Thanks guys, now I need to decide if I'm willing to risk it in my checked bag. That was my assumption.

Big_Green_Craig

I have a friend that is a TSA Agent. I sent her a picture and explained what it is. I will let you know how she responds. 

stevesails

What is the risk of checking it?

Eggbertsdad

Big_Green_Craig said:

I would say that they would not let it through. Not because "it could be used as a weapon", but more because they are uncertain about it. 

If it's an egger working at the airport you can guarantee it will get confiscated.  :P

DMW

stevesails said:

What is the risk of checking it?

Having it go missing or getting damaged. Even if you pack it well, if your checked bag gets hand checked, chances are fairly high that the re-packing job won't be done the same. One bad toss of the bag and that's a broken LCD.

pescadorzih

If you're worried about it getting damaged, get a small waterproof box at WM for like $6 and put it in there with some bubble wrap.
I travel quite often for business and haven't lost anything in 20 yrs. I almost always check my bags, unless it's just an overnighter.

Big_Green_Craig

My TSA agent said that she would not allow it. However, it would be up to each agent on a case by case scenario. 

hondabbq

What is the difference in checking or trying to sneak it through. Either way in your mind it seems you cant win. The less likely option of this mission going array is if the checked bag doesn't get tossed. Bringing it through the front door will likely see it confiscated. Just check it.

DMW

I won't be trying to sneak it on, that's for sure. I like bubble wrap in a waterproof box. Thanks @pescadorzih

TexanOfTheNorth

DMW said:

I won't be trying to sneak it on, that's for sure. I like bubble wrap in a waterproof box. Thanks @pescadorzih

Try duct tapping it to your ankle; under your sock. Don't forget to shave the area first, otherwise, you'll be in some pain when you arrive at your destination and remove the tape.

tjv

if you are going to an eggfest, no need to take it. they will be plenty of temp units around to borrow. 

t

DMW

@tjv Not an eggfest, here's what I'll be cooking on. I'm sure I'll be missing my eggs.

TexanOfTheNorth

Not sure that's going to fit under the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin.  ^#(^

DMW

TexanOfTheNorth said:

Not sure that's going to fit under the seat in front of you or in an overhead bin.  ^#(^

) That was a pic from last year. It's at my BIL's place in Nor Cal. It's an old really heavy tank of some sort that was converted to a smoker. It hadn't been fired in at least 20 years. I cleaned it out and did a full on clean burn first. Had to fabricate a firebasket and do some work on the shelving. It's leaky, but I finally figured out that if I closed the draft door all the way on the bottom (doesn't close tight) and close off the top draft (not in the picture) almost completely, I could keep it around 250-275*. I have a few ideas on how to improve it this year.

BYS1981

@DMW‌ if it's leaking out of small holes grab some hvac heavy duty foil tape.

DMW

@BYS1981 It's mostly leaking around the door. I think the same thing will work, really needs some sort of gasket material. Also, the bottom draft door is not a slider, but rather a swing open door. I'm thinking I might be able to rig something with the foil tape and aluminum foil.