Packing for Defcon:Not wanting the TSA to give me a colonoscopy.

[mick at pauldotcom.com (Michael Douglas)]

Summary:
If you don't want to ship, pack as much as you can as checked baggage.
 It's cheaper than shipping, and you don't have to part with your
stuff for too long.



Details:
1. Ever taken home brew electronics with you?
Yep.  Most times I fly it looks like Radio Shack & Best Buy vomited
inside my bags.  I try to show up to airports at least 2.5 hrs early.
I've found that dressing up a bit seems to help... it's kind of like
SEing the TSA!  ;-)   Also, and this is a really odd thing I noticed
last flight... bundling cables neatly makes them really happy.  So use
cable ties!!

2. Did the TSA raise eyebrows?
Yeah, but pretty sure I'm on a watch list.  Even when I'm not flying
with electronics I get special screening.  Hell I've been "randomly"
pulled for screening just about every flight for the past 7 or so
years.  Sad fact: When I show them my InfraGard card, it puts them
much more at ease after I explain what InfraGard is about.  (FWIW,
this lowered my already dismal opinion of the TSA.  Try it... it
consistently works that well)

3. How about lockpicks and other items?
Lockpicks are fine in checked luggage.  I'd suggest that you get a
small lock core to keep with your picks... You can then claim
(rightfully so) that you're practising.  You should also check other
things TSA calls "weapons" and suspicious stuff (nail clippers, files,
pliers, wire, electric tape, etc)

4. How easy are TSA approved locks to pick? I imagine easy since there
are standardized.
They are almost worthless.  At notacon's lockpick village, Matt &
Chris from the Security Justice crew (hi guys!) showed just how easy
it was to pop those.  Besides how simple they are to pick, you can buy
TSA master keys with only a little bit of effort.






On Sun, Jun 6, 2010 at 12:36 PM, Carlos Perez
<carlos_perez at darkoperator.com> wrote:
> Get a pelican case put a sticker that says sensitive electronics
> inside and goverment agency of your choosing sticker on the side
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 6, 2010, at 10:49 AM, Adrian Crenshaw <irongeek at irongeek.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
> > ? ? I'm going to be bringing some odd stuff to Defcon, and I'll be
> > flying. The PHUKD devices and home brew stuff may look odd to the
> > inspectors, and I know some of you have brought odd items like
> > lockpicks. I know the safest bet is to ship the stuff to the hotel,
> > but I hate having my gear out of my control. I'm thinking this would
> > even make a cool article: How not to get reamed by the TSA. Here are
> > the key points:
> >
> > 1. Ever taken home brew electronics with you?
> > 2. Did the TSA raise eyebrows?
> > 3. How about lockpicks and other items?
> > 4. How easy are TSA approved locks to pick? I imagine easy since
> > there are standardized.
> >
> > I'm guessing home brew electronics is safer stuff to bring than home
> > brew chemicals at least. Side note: If you have a prescription for a
> > controlled substance, I wander what happens if the K9s flag your
> > luggage?
> >
> >
> > Adrian
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