Need Advice on Carrying PM on A Domestic Flight

Hi, I am going to have a long distance move in next month, and I'll have to fly to my destination - a domestic flight.

Since I don't trust anyone else to handle the delivery of my PM collection to my new home (postal service, UPS/Fedex, moving company, airlines employee, etc.), I plan to carry all my PM collection myself on the flight and put everything in a carry-on luggage bag. My PM collection consists of both gold and silver bullions, as well as proofs in collectible boxes, so obviously they will be too much for my pocket.

I would like to hear advice from experienced people about how I should prepare for the flight and what I should be aware of, particularly in getting through the security checkpoint. Thanks!

 

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I once carried a few of the 5oz pucks through security. Oh, joy! My carry-on caught their eye. The whole bag had to be gone through and everything in it had to be swabbed for explosives. The TSA agent didn't open the capsules, though.

How big is your load? Maybe an armored and bonded carrier like Brinks would work for you.

I've always had good luck with USPS registered mail for small shipments.

 

Carry a card with you that explains what you are taking along in your bag and that requests a confidential inspection in a private room as required by your insurance company. This can help.

 

I wonder how coin dealers travel to shows... I would do a carry on as well.

 

Would it be a good idea if I request to have a private inspection? I have some 1oz gold and silver bullion and proof coins and also some 5oz ATB bullions. All are in capsules, of course. And definitely, I don't want them to open the capsules!!!

 

Requirement of insurance company? That is very new to me. Does TSA have documentation on that?

 

As somebody who has gone through exactly this same thing, I can tell you my experience is things go much better if you inform the TSA person what you are carrying before your bag goes through the scanner. That will change their protocol and they will be far less likely to make a big deal out of it. Asking for a private inspection is a good idea, as someone previously stated. Just don't let the TSA folk be surprised and things will go much smoother.

 

If you're worried about a TSA inspection, which is done openly or privately at THEIR discretion, why not place them in a solid body case, with a lock, and check the bags to be placed in the undercarriage of the plane as opposed to carrying it on the plane.

My other piece of advice to you is if you have questions, you can contact the TSA, as well as the airline you are flying and inquire about this as well, and either of them can suggest the best way to take your collection with you.

 

Bad idea. All checked baggage is x-rayed and is subject to inspection as well. Locks must be TSA approved or they will be broken to open the bag. A hard case that cannot be x-rayed is guaranteed to be opened and searched. Things tend to disappear when no one is looking.

 

A hard case would have to be made of lead to prevent it from being x-rayed.

As far as inspection goes, any checked bag that needs to be inspected is pulled to the side, the passenger called to the TSA counter and then bag is inspected in front of the passenger.

As I also suggested to the OP, he can contact the TSA and the airline he's flying to inquire about the best way to take his collection with him.

 

Depending on how big your house is you will have at least 100-200 packed boxes. Movers aren't going to go through all your boxes. Just plant your coins in a couple of the boxes. Tape all your boxes with a sealing tape that isn't very common. That different tape should stop the movers from opening and retaping boxes. Could they go and find your tape? Sure but he probably won't. The long haul driver makes decent money. The helpers he picks up at the end of the destination to help him unload are the ones you have to watch.

 

I have never been called to do an inspection of my checked bags. A number of times I have found printed notices inside of my checked bags informing me that they had been opened and inspected.

 

exactly my experience, as well.

 

Then you must not have locked them.

If the OP locks his they would call him to the counter to unlock the case so they can look inside.

 

This is done routinely by various government agencies...guns, classified media, etc. In your case, you're not asking them for special treatment. You just want them to be aware of what you have, so they don't freak out. If you coordinate your activities with the airlines ahead of time, you "shouldn't" have any problem. The airline will be able to answer all your questions.

Good Luck...let us know how it goes! :secret:

 

This is from the TSA website: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/claims/pack.shtm

"Checked baggage is luggage you check in at the ticket counter or curbside. It will not be accessible during your flight. When locking your checked bags, please use a TSA Accepted & Recognized Lock. TSA is mandated by Federal law to screen 100% of checked baggage. If your baggage alarms, unrecognized locks may have to be broken to access your bags. TSA will not reimburse passengers for unrecognized locks broken as a result of the security screening process."

 

Hence the reason I suggested the OP contact the TSA directly :thumb:

A lot will also depend on the agent as well.

 

In my experience (quite a few...both domestic and international), I coordinate with the airlines and the airlines coordinates with TSA...and whomever else needs to be in the loop.

 

I'm not sure the TSA will be "freaked out" by a bunch of coins, unless they know something I don't in the ways they can be used to take over an aircraft. Maybe a terrorist might try to buy the plane and then crash it, who knows. In reality, coin dealers carry millions of dollars in coins aboard planes daily and never have issues. It seems a lot of worry for no reason at all.
Guy

 

LMAO!! ...perhaps.

However, if the OP wants to ensure no last minute "hiccups", contacting the airlines in advance never hurts. Afterall, he's paying for the service...no reason not to use it.