Brought my stick to PAX flying out of Midway in Chicago. I kept my stick in my carry-on luggage, but the woman working the x-ray machine yelled at me for not removing my console. I knew it wasn’t a console, but whatever…
TSA security dude takes my bag as it comes out of the x-ray and takes it to the side. As he’s wiping it down, he asks me what I have in there.
“A joystick.”
“No, the big thing in there…” As he says it, I point out my TE stick sticking out from my clothes. “Yeah, it’s a joystick” He pulls it out, looks at it for a second…
“You’re serious, aren’t you?!”
He then goes back to the front of the x-ray machine, puts my bag through again and my stick in its own bin. As it goes through, the lady working the x-ray sees fit to yell at me again - “Next time, be sure to take your console out before you put it through!”
“It’s not a console - it’s a joystick!” yelled the other TSA guy back.
So ya, lulz. On my return trip I put the stick in its own bin like I would a laptop and got through no problem.
When I fly to and from Philly/Florida and I bring my tools, I never have a “problem”. I do however, always get a piece of paper saying they had to inspect my bag for banned objects (or something along those lines). lol.
none of my modding tools (crimpers, QDs, tape, wire, etc) have ever been taken though.
Reminder: last year my MAS stick had all the screws and stoppers removed by airport security, which meant it slid around on the ground. You probably will want to ensure you have backup stoppers/antislip mechanisms unless you like your diagonals changing midmatch.
They took me to a secure area and told me to explain what it was. I told them it was a joystick for playstation and they all just sorta looked at each other.
Then this younger guy working there sees it and he’s all “Wow? Really? Oh man, this is awesome! Did you make this? Is this for like Tekken or something?”
“Yeah, it’s for Street Fighter”
“Oh yeah? Is this for tournaments or something? Are you a pro gamer?”
“Hah, not pro, but yeah, I’m coming back from a tournament.”
Long story short, they let me through. I did have a mini-tool kit there with a screwdriver handle and different bits and he said that I couldn’t take it on the plane with me… I told him to forget about it and that he could keep it, it was just a cheap Wal-Mart kit. He was all heartbroken and told me I could go back and check it with my baggage, and that he didn’t want me to give up the tools for my stick. I didn’t want to miss my flight, so I insisted he just take it, it was only like 5 bucks.
“Aww man, you serious? You sure? I really don’t want you to go without your tools :(”
lol
I’m glad the younger guy was there though, the other guards were not having it at all.
It depends on security, just ask while your lining your stuff up to be scanned, they have like 20 guards around so you can make sure. To and From NECX all I had to do was take it out (like most large electronics) and have it scanned separately. But like I said it depends on security, On the way there I had an old lady who gave every one shit for the extra hassle since the signs just say “removes laptops”. but then leaving NECX the guards were chatting most of us up asking what was going on with all these joysticks.
looks like i wont be stashing any paraphernalia in my stick… but as for carrying the stick around, whats the best way? i plan on just putting it in my backpack vertically with the joystick up and buttons down facing the opposite direction of me of course and my laptop.
It really does depend on security, but generally I would recommend taking it out and sending it through the X-ray machine in its own separate container, just like a laptop as others have pointed out.
Most likely TSA will want to physically examine it after going through the machine so you are saving everyone time.
BTW LAX TSA is terrible (or good depending upon your POV), I can think of 3 separate occasions in the last 4 years where I have gone through LAX security no problem only to have items confiscated on the return from my destination airport. I guess other airports care more about pocket knives and stuff than LAX lol
ive never not been stopped at an airport while carrying my stick
something about a tanned, wily haired kid with a bookbag that contains an object that is a mass of wires on the x-ray screen does not sit well with airport security
EVO2K10 and EVO2K9 with no stick-airport problems. TSA guy dropped my laptop while searching it. “Ohhhhhh…shiiiiittt. Sorry about that chief…” It was fine though. We all started laughing.
Going to vegas I just mentioned what it was while it scanned. no problems. Getting back I forgot to say something but had no problems anyways. Then we had a connecting flight and had to go through customs so we had to go through security again and they asked what it was. I told them. I was lucky there was a guy that played games cuz he seen the playstation logo right away and let us through.
If you dont take it out of your bag and put it though he xray machine seperately then all they see is a box with wires and a PCB in it… What does that look like to you?
Vegas is probably so used to the sticks coming through the scanner by now. xD Last years Evo I saw soooo many people carrying them everywhere I went to. I went to get some tea at the convenience store and at least three people in line had sticks under their arms.
Sorry if this doesn’t fit the thread. But I’d like someone to answer the question.
I’m sort of confused because I’d like to participate in next year’s EVO but the “No Wireless Controllers” rule is pointing to the normal wireless PS3/Xbox 360 controller right? Those this mean wireless Arcade Sticks too? Because I’m looking to buy this stick: Joytron Paewang Revolution
