I have carried Greiner plates all over the world with no problems, even when asked what they were. I usually place them in a padded envelope (for insulation) inside my back pack.
On the other hand, Limbro plates have been a little suspect. I have carried them in styrofoam boxes, metal lunch boxes and soft sided thermal lunch boxes/6-pack of cans cooler. The cooler was the easiest to carry through security as I placed a few napkins on the top and it looked like a lunch. Additionally, if you carry something that looks like an organ donor cooler, this gets some extra care by the personnel. Two things to help you out: (1) have a heat sink in the container in case you get stuck on the plane for an extended period of time, and (2) do not carry your cryogenic tools in the same container as it may make security turn the package on its side. As far as legal limits in the US, remember that if it fits in a clear bag and is in 3 ounce containers (wells, microvials), most anything that is not explosive will be waived through security. But, it is best to ask them to hand check it so they don't think you are trying to "get one through." By the way, you cannot carry a bottle of water through security, but you can carry an empty bottle...and then fill it once inside. I like to have a bottle of water sometimes as my heat sink, which doubles as beverage in a pinch. Lastly, once on the plane, don't make a big deal about the crystals and drops. Most drops survive even moderate turbulence even when the crystallographers do not. Kris ________________________________ From: Arthur Glasfeld <glasf...@reed.edu> To: CCP4BB@JISCMAIL.AC.UK Sent: Tue, April 6, 2010 1:03:58 PM Subject: [ccp4bb] crystals as carry-on items Sorry for an off-topic, out-of-date concern. Also, I'm almost certain this has been discussed before, but my search of the archives didn't turn up anything. I am flying to a synchrotron this weekend and would like to hand-transport some crystal plates. Does anyone have any recent experience with the TSA that might make this an easier task? Is it even possible any more? Thanks in advance for any advice that can be provided. Arthur Glasfeld Department of Chemistry Reed College 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, OR 97202 USA
