Flying with markers?

[Tippster]

Anyone ever flown with paintball markers? Had any issues? Internationally?

[superman]

No issues flying in the states. Make sure you pull the reg from your bottles. I normally print out the faq section on the tsa website about paintball tanks. Put it right where they would check and do the same thing around the tank itself.


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[Memornix]

I have only flown domestic with markers and never had any real problems or had anything taken but I can tell they were usually played with by TSA. Generally stuff like guns would be packed uncocked and would be cocked when I removed them from my bag or barrels that were off when packed would be screwed on upon unpacking.

Only once did I have something actually get broken which was a composite WGP slider frame. Could have been TSA playing or just bad packing 🤔.

Now I generally ship gear to wherever I am going to be playing. Costs a little more but has been safer.

[Shaftski]

Don't bother with buying any additional damage/loss insurance from airline to cover your gear. There are usually exclusions for electro mechanical devices. It won't be covered.

[Junglepeanut]

I flew from California to a tournament in Quebec Canada years ago. Zero issues getting out of Cali, oddly the Canucks picked just one of my teammates to torment coming home. They paged him over the loud speaker and then put him in a little room and made him watch as they tore all his stuff apart yet they never said a word to the rest of us. It's was actually quite funny for everyone but him.

By the way for those that have never been, Quebec was an amazing place I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great place to hang out

[NONOBLITUS]

Same experience as above posters. I pick up 12 grams where I go and have rented just a tank at the field to avoid messing with tanks while traveling. My son and I bring the goggles in our carry on to avoid them from getting beat up.

[Olsson]

I have flown between Sweden-USA, and Sweden-UK several times with complete sets of paintball gear. So far, it has been without a hitch. As already mentioned, I remove the reg from the tanks, and yes - the TSA does indeed rummage around to their great delight among your paintball gear.

For each of my flights I brought masks and hoppers/loaders in my carry on luggage. No problems whatsoever. In any case, basically the most important thing is to make it easy for the TSA to repack your gear safely, so your items won't get banged up after their little play session, regardless of how well you might have packed it before.

[Nish]

Weltman has flown with hear as much if not more than anyone. He swears by treating it, and having TSA treat it, like a gun. Stays locked up the whole time in a safe compartment, they investigate it in front of you on the way in and the way out.

Look for his write-up on how it's done

[Chuck E Ducky]

Dose it cost more to do this? I have had my stuff stolen twice just checking it. (Like regular luggage) I insure it 100% of the time now to at least cover my loses if stuff gets taken.

[Nish]

I unfortunately do not remember.

[Tarsun2]

i flew from NJ to California. the marker was in a stack of clothes in my luggage. the bags were checked and i had zero issues. i didnt even know it was in there until i was unpacking in Ca.
i was nervous coming back to Nj but i figured "what the hell" and tossed it in there. if it flew one way, it should be able to fly the other.... zero issues.

[Matt Drown]

15+ times domestic US. Remove reg from tank, pack everything in checked luggage, no issues. I used to drop a paintball mag next to the gear, havent dont that in ages.

Air tank needs to be inspectable is only requirement from TSA.

[Marvin.Laroo]

just flew southwest yesterday and no issues at all. Only thing is the tank. you have to take them apart

[Chuck E Ducky]

I fly with my gear all the time. (Check it) pull your tank reg off (they can confiscate it if you don’t)

I print out the FAA rules on paintball tanks and use rubber bands to put it right around the tank. Never had issues doing this in 15+ years.

I do recommend baggage insurance. It’s cheap and has saved me more then a few times I have had high end gear go missing to and from Florida for events two different times. Newark airport is the worst! I use my Credit card company for insurance. Takes a while to get payed but for sub $20 it’s good to have. I won’t fly my gear without it now. Especially with my high end stuff.

[Arthur]

pro advice right there