Lockpick Transportation

I've found that most hotels do not mind have packages sent there, as long as you’re staying with them. You may want to call the hotel your staying to confirm this. If you do decide to tote them with you on your flight, I suggest placing the picks in a Ziploc baggie and then placing them in your luggage.

I worked in a Hotel before and can agree with what she says with some extra information included:

When you mail a package to a hotel you will be staying, make sure that you address it to the *person who has the reservation at the hotel* and you should also include the Hotel name and use the "c/o" (Care Of) system with your name included if you are not the person with the reservation. Make sure you include something in the notes about the date you are expected to arrive. Hotels will often search their records to see if the recipient is in their system. When the recipient is not in their system (or listed in the address somewhere) then some hotels will return it to sender within 3 days of receipt. [They will also sometimes pre-assign rooms for people and then write the room number (expected) for the guest to use.]

Since it is DefCon, make this text (for name, address, etc) small enough that it can't be read from a distance of say 6 feet and include a note or special instructions in large print, "Photo ID Required for Pickup" The hotel does not need to follow this directive, but it decreases the chance someone else will SE your stuff away from the front desk.

Why use small print? Some hotels will store such packages behind the front desk, and if someone can read the name, address, etc, then they may be able to better SE the package into their possession.

[As a courtesy to the hotel, you can call them and notify them of a package being sent to them, and they will add it to the room notes.]

[Some hotels and motels on the cheap end of things will not accept packages or have very strict rules on what packages they will keep and for how long. Try to time your package's arrival to end up at the hotel no more than 3 days before you arrive.]

[Calling the hotel of stay is also good to verify any other extra procedures they may prefer to help you get your package.]

Now, as for lockpicks as carry-on luggage. You do not want to do this. I have traveled many places with my lockpicks as carry-on luggage after 9/11 and did not have problems in most airports. Even after they started locking the cockpit, I was able to bring them on-board as carry-on luggage. However, when I went through SLC I had a heck of a time trying to convince them that I should have them. They asked me to remove my belt and drop my pants in public while they hand wanded me and a screener reviewed and okayed the lockpicks for me to carry-on. I could care less about walking around in my undies in public (not easily embarrassed) but I do care about losing my picks and being delayed. I would like to say it was because of my "skillz" with people that I was able to get through with my picks, but it was not; It was only luck and the consideration of the screener that I was able to bring them on board. (Perhaps, it would be more accurate to say incompetence in light of the recent procedures to lock the cockpit and how lockpicks should have been an obvious no-no.)

Ever since then, my lock picks go in my checked luggage. I do not like the idea of losing lots of money in lock picking supplies.

[Edit: information added above in [ ] ]

I ususally put mine in my checked luggage. I've never had an issue doing this.

I agree...checked luggage hasn't created any issues

Checked Luggage

Thanks for the info about mailing packages to the hotel. I am staying at the AP so small print is a good idea. :)

Typically, I pack very light so I can take everything as carry on. So, the only reason I would go with checked luggage is for the picks.

I just called the AP and they have no problems recieving mail but they do check the name on the package to make sure it's in the reservation system. Might also be a suggestion to put an expected arrival date of the guest on the package in case it gets there ahead of you. TheCotMan's suggestions are also good as well.

(In Big letters)<Guest Name>
C/O Alexis Park
375 E.Harmon
Las Vegas, NV
USA
89109

For those of us travelling across borders, picks in any luggage is asking for to many problems at customs. A passed envelope and a bunch of stamps are best. A suggestion is to take a pre-addressed return envelope with you to ship them back

Last year I mailed mine to Vegas a week ahead of time and everything arrived nicely, however I fogot to bring an extra envelope and had to scramble to get one to get my stuff shipped back.

For the record, I flew twice last week with picks in my checked baggage. No problems.

Renderman brings up a good point for people traveling from out of the country to the U.S. This makes me want to revise my original statement about checked luggage when traveling in the U.S.:

There are some states (like New Jersey) where possession of lockpicks (I think) is a violation of the law unless you are licensed as a Locksmith by the state. Other states also have laws on who may and who may not posses lockpick, but most states permit anyone to have them. However, if you are caught possessing them while commiting other crimes (like trespassing or B&E) you can see a much greater penalty and it can elevate a misdemeanor to a felony or count against you in other ways.

If you will be traveling by plane with stops in New Jersey, or any other state that has restrictions WRT possession of lockpicks, it would be safer to mail them. I'd like to point out one more time that most states in the U.S. do not have laws preventing people from owning lockpicks. (Some states have laws on documenting the purchase of them, or restrictions on sales of them.)

[Edit: Added URL and references below]

Hit on search of New Jersey Laws on Lock/Ignition bypass for cars of which lockpicks may be included. (Let me know if this does not work for you as a link as they may be using session ID and transaction processing on the server to retain results and not entirely rely on the data in the URL.)

But were you crossing an international border?

I find it best not to give Border guards any reason to delay you or make your life more interesting than it may be. Your milage may vary, but I'm mailing mine to be safe.

Due to the fact that you will me mailing your picks:
When you hit the Springs, you are more than welcome to borrow one of my sets to play around with while your here :D

Hey, not my fault if you cant live in the same country as the conference. :p

I dunno, I look at that as a good thing :)

Lil_freak: Thanks!

Oregon has weird lockpick tools laws. Basically lockpicking is illegal, except by locksmiths. Having the tools is not illegal, unless they are used as lockpicking tools. Anone's welcoe to carry cut, ground, shaped or bent metal, it's just using it that's the problem. Go figure. Anyway, another little piece to throw into the mix: checked bagage is being rifled through by airport security. They usually leave a little slip in your suitcase informing you they searched it (yay for homeland security), but picks are easy to make off with. You might put the pics in something a tad larger than a ziplock bag if you're going to check them. Not fool-proof, but a little harder to make off with.

-Demos

Flying with picks

Hi,
I like to practice my skills on the airplain. The flight is 8-9 hours from Sweden. I used to have my picks on my keychain. The security oviously notice the "pocket knife" every time. They ask what it is and I show them and explains: "It's a lock pick set."
They don't know how to handle it most of the times and just look puzzled (and let me pass). But a few times they say it can be used as a stabbing wepon and I have to check it in.

I have today my picks in my checked in luggage. It is to much work if you get stopped. Maybe you could call your airline and ask for an exemption? Why not?

//Sigtrap