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Hello there!

Not sure if this is the right board to post this on, but I recently signed up for my first ever GT this Spring and the event will require me to board a plane. This will be the first time I've ever travelled with my 40K models in the sky so I wanted to pick the brains of some tournament veterans out there:

1) Have you ever encountered any issues with airport security when it comes to transporting your models in a carry-on bag? For reference, I'm taking a domestic flight within Canada, but I'm also curious to see if anyone's had any trouble through, say, the TSA when flying into or through the United States.

2) Is there anything special you do to prep your models for transport on a plane? Bubble wrap? Padding? Sacrifice to the machine god? It seems like a lot more could go wrong and cause breakage or paint chipping whilst on a plane than, say, travelling by car.

Thanks in advance for your time! Also, if anyone is curious, the event is the Alberta Classic in Calgary taking place in May 2019.

Depends on the models. For most stuff, carrying it on is fine, I haven't had any issues with security. For packing, I recommend either really strong magnets inside a carrying case (something like the Tablewar ones) so your models can't move or bump around or another cheaper solution is packing peanuts...just put your models in a durable box and fill the empty space with foam (useful for larger models). For infantry/tank sized models you can also use any basic pluck-foam-based case, just make sure the individual foam trays can't shift around too much. You can check items (and I would check all your hobby supplies), just think of it the same way you would a souvenir glass you're trying to bring home...layers of protection are key.

I just put them in the back seat in their cases, as long as you aren't doing anything too exciting it shouldn't be any more challenging than packing your models in the car.

 Peregrine wrote:
I just put them in the back seat in their cases, as long as you aren't doing anything too exciting it shouldn't be any more challenging than packing your models in the car.

Your plane has a back seat? Swag.

 General Helstrom wrote:

 Peregrine wrote:
I just put them in the back seat in their cases, as long as you aren't doing anything too exciting it shouldn't be any more challenging than packing your models in the car.

Your plane has a back seat? Swag.

I would assume since the OP specifically references the TSA and airport security he doesn't have access to a private or charter aircraft.

I would find a case that you believe to be safe and secure enough to keep your minis from being destroyed due to jostling. Be assured, ramp agents are going to jostle your bags.

I'd be more concerned about rapid changes in air pressure, and temperature. Some cargo holds are not heated nor pressurized, so this may be a problem. Check to see if your airline pressurizes their holds and / or heats them.