The way you get around it is to simply pull it out of your carry on bag and say with a calm voice “Hey, this is an arcade stick for a video game, I am going to a street fighter video game tournament.” Dont act like you are hiding it.
I’ve never had any problems traveling by plane with my sticks. ALWAYS remove them from your bag/backpack if you’re bringing it on as a carry on item. Gaming consoles, laptops, and sticks all count as “large electronics” that require you to remove them from their bags before getting scanned. From my experience, one of three things happen: they let it go through without any questions, they recognize what it is (usually mention it in some way) and all is good, or they ask you what it is. If they ask me what it is, I just tell them it’s an arcade style video game controller. No issues have come up otherwise.
I’ve used a Namco PS1 stick, a HRAP1, and a HRAP2:SA while flying over the years and have not had any issues.
This is only going to be my second time flying and I am already having aneurysm about getting my stick through security. This thread has helped calm some of my fears.
Be careful with your stick. They say that a man who goes through the metal detector sideways is going to Bangkok.
Never had a problem. I take it out of my bag, and explain what it is if they ask. It gets a laugh sometimes.
Never, ever had to take it apart. For reference, here’s my wiring.
http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq84/motoh/DSC00073.jpg
So it’s not exactly packing the ‘I’m gonna blow the place up’ look, but it still isn’t professional grade by a long shot.
~M
pretty clean wiring there motoh ;]
some custom stick maker should make a stick that actually looks like a homebrew bomb and then bring it through airport security if they do i want to see vids 
Last time I had my Hori ps3 stick as carry on,the security personal had good comments on the stick. I have never had problems with having my arcade stick as a carry on.
I’ve flown with my TE(carry on)…no problems
I’ve flown once with my TE from Newport News to Atlanta no problems. However on the way back was the problem, they held me in the glass box and scanned my shit like twice and made me miss my flight. They dug through my bags and made me repack it. What douches.
My suggestion is just get there mad early before your flight, usually you have to be at the gate a half hour before, and the gates close ten minutes prior to flight. So just plan accordingly.
So i’m guessing your best bet is to show it to the people and just be like “This is a video game controller for a playstation and i’m going to a video game tournament, just wanted to let you know”. I guess the people your showing it to or dealing with will also react based on their knowledge of such things like you know what a game is or what an arcade is or what a playstation/xbox is, i’m sure there are people in the world that have never heard of those things, which you know is completely fine just wish a big deal wasn’t made over that sort of thing. The technology in arcade sticks is extremely simple so I don’t know why anyone would be so afraid of them. I’m sure the parts in a GBA are even more advanced than an arcade stick.
Travelling in groups with multiple people with sticks might help you out as well.
I took a stick to DC at New Years. On the way there, I forgot about it and got stopped for a second, but it was pretty easy to explain to them that it was a game controller. Way back, I remembered to put it in the tray, and all that happened was the guy asking where I got it.
Individually, you’re really unlikely to have any trouble if you carry it on and are open about it. There’s probably going to be a few horror stories, but that’s just how it goes. There’s so many people that a couple are bound to have a bit of trouble, unfortunately.
I agree. Just be open about it. The more suspicious you act about it, the less of a chance you have of getting through easily.
Last year they didn’t even ask about the stick, they were more freaked that I didn’t take my laptop out of the bag
whenever I take my ps3 or arcade stick with me when I travel the most they ever do is swab it for hazardous chemicals or whatever the fuck.
I’ve never had trouble. If anything you can open the little compartment to show cables. Make sure you essentially show you’re there to game or something, you should be straight!
Last Evo I went to they unscrewed the bottom part of my HRAP because there were loose screws shaking around. Most of the time I travel though I dont have problems with the airport security about my sticks.
I’m not exactly carrying a stick, but I will be attemptin to carry an Evo Monitor in my bag for the flight. Has anyone ever attempted to carry a monitor through security?
I just got back from my vacation flying through 4 different airports and not one gave me a hard time. They asked me what it was and one guy just used the wand on it but other then that it is easy. The security guy on my last flight actually was a fan of SF and was asking me about tournaments and stuff.
Any tips for people bringing tools? I’ll be doing mods at the hotel and I’ll have to bring my tool bag. Obviously I won’t be able to bring it along as carry on, but would I have any problems having it in my suitcase?