Lightsabers TSA and Air Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know

What are the Transport Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for traveling with a lightsaber on an airplane? Many lightsaber enthusiasts, especially after visiting Disney’s Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, wonder how navigate an airport in the United States with their Savi’s Workshop lightsaber, legacy lightsaber, or custom lightsaber. Let’s go over some travel tips for flying with a lightsaber.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item through some links, then SaberSourcing may receive some money at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting current and future content!

TRENDING
Black Friday Cyber Monday 2023 Lightsaber Sales and Discounts
Disney Unveils Stellan Gios Legacy Lightsaber | New Saber Alert

What are the rules for flying with lightsabers?

Official TSA Guidelines for Lightsabers

Although the TSA organization writes that “you can pack a toy lightsaber in your carry-on or checked bag” consider that the TSA also emphasizes that “the final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint”. The TSA frequently allows lightsabers as carry-on items. It’s possible, however, in some cases that the TSA will require the traveler to pack the lightsaber in their checked luggage instead.
Source: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/light-saber

Traveling with Lithium Batteries

Some lightsabers run on lithium batteries. The FAA requires that spare lithium batteries must be included with carry-on luggage only. Additionally, the FAA advises that “[d]evices containing lithium metal or lithium ion batteries…should be carried in carry-on baggage when possible.” If the item must be included in checked luggage, then the device “should be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation, and packed so they are protected from damage.”
Source: https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe

Lightsabers as Carry-On Items

Many travelers safely and successfully pack a metal-hilt lightsaber in their carry on luggage. Be sure to pack the lightsaber in an easily accessible bag or section of your bag. A TSA officer may wish to inspect the lightsaber or ask you to turn it on.

If you plan to travel with the lightsaber as a carry-on, arrive at the airport a bit early. Make a backup plan for packing the lightsaber in your checked luggage. Occasionally TSA officers have denied lightsabers as a carry-ons due to the item’s resemblance to a banned item like a “bludgeon” or “club-like object” or “tool longer than 7 inches”. Many people traveling with Disney Parks lightsabers (e.g. Savi’s Workshop lightsabers, legacy lightsabers) successfully take collectibles on the plane as carry-on items.

Specific custom lightsaber hilts with claws, sharp edges or any weapon-like section are more likely to get flagged or denied by security. If your hilt looks sharp and weapon-like to you, chances are it will to the TSA as well.
Source: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/all

Carry-On Requirements from Airlines

Check your individual airline’s carry-on requirements and size restrictions in advance. If the lightsaber is allowed through the security checkpoint, the lightsaber will typically get stored up in the overhead bin as a personal item or carry on item, much like a musical instrument.

Travelers may separate the lightsaber hilts from the blades, sometimes packing the blades separately in checked luggage. Make sure you pack the lightsaber securely in a box or bag with extra padding because the bags inside the overhead bins shift around during the flight.

SEE ALSO Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge Coke Bottle: Everything You Need to Know

Lightsabers as Checked Luggage

The TSA allows lightsabers as checked luggage. Consider that checked luggage is frequently handled more roughly than carry on items so make sure you pack the lightsaber securely with extra padding, whenever possible, in order to minimize the risk of the lightsaber getting damaged on it’s way to or from airplane cargo hold.

Some travelers elect to check their lightsaber blades, since they’re large and cumbersome, and pack their lightsaber hilts in their carry-on luggage.

Alternative: Mailing a Lightsaber Home

As an alternative to flying with a lightsaber, you may consider shipping your lightsaber home or to your destination through the USPS, UPS or FedEx. Shipping the lightsaber is sometimes cheaper than checking it, although a lightsaber hilt and its blade often require a long box. Make sure you pack the lightsaber in the box securely with extra padding/packing material in order to help prevent damage during transit.

Watch Out for the USPS Nonstandard Fee

In 2022, USPS added a nonstandard fee, which is applied on top of any of your standard postage charges. If a package measures between 22 inches and 30 inches long, the added fee is $4.00. If the package is more than 30 inches long, the added fee is $15.00.

Lightsaber blades along may easily exceed 30 inches long, so be aware of the USPS surcharge. Due to surcharge, you may consider shipping through FedEx or USP instead.

* * *

What is your experience flying with a lightsaber?

Leave a Reply

Discover more from SaberSourcing

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading