Airport Security and Handhelds

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Roger

Thanks to the great response I got on this site, I am taking a boat out in Clearwater this weekend (thanks, Paul!) My question is this: I will be flying to Florida, and would like to take my handheld VHF and GPS, but I am concerned that I might have trouble with airport security. Since it is a short trip, I will probably not even check luggage. Has anyone taken these items on commercial aircraft, and if so, were there problems? I know that I can't bring the SOSpender cannisters. Thanks for any help from you charterers out there. Roger
 
B

Brian C.

Shouldn't have a problem

I work for Delta and I have carried a GPS and VHF through many times with no problem. They may want to examine it further, but there is no restriction against them. Some other boat type items I went ahead and checked to lessen any hassle... Good Luck
 
G

Gary A.

Use of GPS on Board Airplanes

Just curious, has anyone else tried using a handheld GPS on a commercial flight? I have a few times, just to get an idea of what we were flying over. Once I was told by a stewardess that it had to be turned off because it could interfere with the plane's navigation systems. Since a GPS is a passive device, i.e. only receiving signals from the satellites, I thought this was "bunk", but of course complied. Gary
 
B

Bob Lufkin

GPS ON PLANES - OK

Sure. On my last flight to FL I took my hand held GPS and it worked fine as long as you held it up to the window. It is an allowed item once in flight per the in flight magazene. Put in the flights way points and when the pilot said we were cruising at 29,000 feet the gps said 29004 feet. Also showed that heading south we were doing 330 kts and returning 560kts. Nice tail wind coming home. A little faster than my C 30. Bob
 
D

d j

Agree with Bob - GPS in flight okay

But get a window seat to use it. Otherwise you may not get any readings. I also agree watching the trip on a gps with a map adds to the trip. A few years ago the stewardesses weren't too sure. One took the gps to the pilot who said it was nice to have a backup on board <grin>
 
D

Doug Rodrigues

No problem with the GPS

Airport security doesn't seem to care. I even twice took my skydiving gear bag(with parachute inside) through security. Curious, I asked the X-ray checker if he knew what he was looking at. He didn't have a clue. Now, shouldn't someone taking a parachute aboard an airliner at least raise an eyebrow? Oh, I did make sure not to have a fingernail clipper in my pocket.
 
B

Brian C.

Maybe...

Actually.. I don't think they (gps)are specifically mentioned, but they should be off for takeoff and landing at a minimum. People oftem wonder why a lot of these electronic items are prohibited (radios, tv's etc) or restricted (laptops etc) when these items are incorporated in the aircraft entertainmnet systems in many cases. These devices are not shielded electrically to aviation standards as are the onboard electronic devices. From the cockpit we have had some weird stuff happen with autopilots, Nav receivers, etc. We asked the Flight attendants to make sure all PED's were turned off and the symptoms immediately went away. I know for a fact that cell phones can interfere (at least the old analog phones) with loran as I have seen it up close and personal.. In case anybody was wondering! ;-) Brian s/v CREW REST
 
B

Brian

never an issue

I've been flying with a GPS, several cell phones, cables, interface boxes, a power inverter and a host of other electronic devices, both domestic and international. I have never had any problem with them being in my carry on.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.