Parents Bringing gym bag through TSA

[NYGymfamily]

We are doing a flyaway meet next week for the first time, and are just curious about experiences bringing gym bag/ grips/ etc through tsa. DD is terrified of TSA taking her grips. She’s not bringing chalk and we are going to vacuum out her gym bag to get rid of chalk, but please let us know any experiences you have had/ any advice!

 

[skschlag]

It will be fine. We have traveled many many times with grips and chalk, and a disgusting chalk bag. They may swab it, but they will not take her grips

Enjoy the trip!

 

[RTT2]

It won’t be an issue. Have fun!

 

[JBS]

Never had an issue. Now the stuffed animals with the heavy butts that you can heat up in the microwave… those take an extra 10 minutes every time.

 

[RTT2]

I brought a small container of Chef Boyardee in my bag for the last travel meet- superstitious pre meet ritual kind of thing. TSA pulled my bag but let me keep the terrible pasta!

 

[RTT2]

Also, DD’s grips bag spews chalk everywhere and hangs off of her gym bag- it’s never been an issue. No need to vacuum the bag.

 

[Coach Kate]

Please tell her not to worry! Have fun and enjoy the travel meet.

 

[AnotherGymDad]

I checked with a relative who works in airport security here in the UK and he told me that anyone with any experience in the job will be able to tell just by looking whether the white powder on something is worth investigating or not. And also: "The average drug smuggler or terrorist doesn't tend to have cocaine on anthrax or whatever smeared all over their bag. At least not the ones who want a long career."

 

[JessSyd]

We’ve never had any trouble with chalk and grips, but rolls of strapping tape seem to get the bags opened after the x-ray every time. No idea why. It’s fine though - a quick bag check and we are on our way again.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

Won't be an issue at all.

My brother is a TSA goon (that's his phrasing, not mine), and he says all they actually care about is weapons and explosives. I have a hard time imagining anybody mistaking grips for either of those.

 

[GymnastMomX2]

You’ll be fine, however they have searched her bag coming home from meets because of the medals the last two travel meets. lol

 

[GymDadWA]

The one thing we have trouble with is hairspray, most of the time it's OK but it's been confiscated twice.