Flying with valve oil

spitvalve · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 12:25 pm Post subject: Flying with valve oil

I'm flying from Dallas to Orlando next week to visit family and plan to take my cornet with me. Those of you who travel with your horns a lot--have you ever had any issues with TSA over a bottle of valve oil? I'm planning on putting everything in a carry-on.
_________________
Bryan Fields
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1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

bagmangood · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 12:54 pm Post subject:

I think the only time I ever had trouble domestically was with a Torpedo bag because they were like "what is this thing?"

Put the valve oil in the appropriately sized ziploc bag (I honestly usually left it in a sandwich bag). A few times they've swabbed the bag but most of the time they just let it go through.
_________________
More than one trumpet
A "few" mouthpieces

Jerry · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 1:07 pm Post subject:

I haven't flown in a few years, but before that, I always put my bottle of valve oil in the small plastic bag that I kept my other liquids. Never questioned.

JayKosta · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 1:16 pm Post subject:

Check the label to see if there is any mention of it being flammable. If so it might be considered a 'hazardous material'.

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/resources/media/PackSafe_for_Passengers_English.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=52

it appears the bottle must be in small ziplock bag.
_________________
Most Important Note ? - the next one !
KNOW (see) what the next note is BEFORE you have to play it.
PLAY the next note 'on time' and 'in rhythm'.
Oh ya, watch the conductor - they set what is 'on time'.

spitvalve · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 3:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone for the replies. I don't think Al Cass valve oil is flammable but I'll double-check the bottle.
_________________
Bryan Fields
----------------
1991 Bach LR180 ML 37S
1999 Getzen Eterna 700S
1977 Getzen Eterna 895S Flugelhorn
1969 Getzen Capri cornet
1995 UMI Benge 4PSP piccolo trumpet
Warburton and Stomvi Flex mouthpieces

Dayton · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 3:33 pm Post subject:

I put my valve oil in a small zip lock bag with my other liquids. Never had an issue. Note that I use Ultra Pure or Monster plant based oil.

Tom LeCompte · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2022 3:41 pm Post subject:

I have put valve oil in the baggie with other liquids and never had trouble.
I have also accidentally left it in my case and never had any trouble.

Tony Scodwell · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 1961

Even though Doc always carried his T-3 oil in the standard bottle (4oz) he never had an issue. I put my home brewed oil in a 2oz bottle just to be safe and for sure carried my horn with me without any problems.

Tony Scodwell

www.scodwellusa.com

trpthrld · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4810

My theory is the people who work for TSA can't even spell "TSA."

I've never been questioned on oil or grease.

Mutes - yes, but oil & grease no.
_________________
Tim Wendt

www.trumpetherald.com/marketplace.php?task=detail&id=146827&s=The-Best-Trumpet-Lead-Pipe-Swab-EVER--

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPWAJqghk24&feature=youtu.be

Tom LeCompte · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 1:02 pm Post subject:

Hey Tim-

I flew once from Guam to Honolulu, sitting next to John Pistole, who was (then) the head of the TSA. Nice guy. Very sharp. Had some fun with him playing "what if" - is peanut butter a liquid? Am I allowed to carry on a block of ice? Anyway, he has a really tough job and as you might imagine, some of the staff are...um...better than others.

Also, some of the TSA staff are not actually TSA employees. Some are contractors. You can tellby their ID. If it's an HSPD-12, they are real TSA. If you can't identify a HSPD-12, don't sweat it - they probably can't tell a Bach 181 from a 184.

Questioned on mutes? Beyond "what the heck is this?" I've been questioned on mouthpieces. I've been asked to play to demonstrate that the horns were for my, um "personal use" and I was not some sort of international horn smuggler.

If they question you on the plunger, please tell them "you probably don't want to eb holding that without gloves".

trpthrld · Heavyweight Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 4810

jhatpro · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 1:41 pm Post subject:

Never had a problem with oil or anything else and I always carry a horn and mutes. As for TSA personnel, not sure about their spelling capabilities but on frequent Chicago-LA flights they’ve been great. Even waited patiently once while I fished around and finally found a photo ID I’d misplaced.
_________________
Jim Hatfield

"The notes are there - find them.” Mingus

2021 Martinus Geelan Custom
2005 Bach 180-72R
1965 Getzen Eterna Severinsen
1946 Conn Victor
1998 Scodwell flugel
1986 Bach 181 cornet
1954 Conn 80A cornet
2002 Getzen bugle

LittleRusty · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 1:48 pm Post subject:

Slightly off topic, I got some questions when I carried on the pasta attachment for my kitchenaid mixer. My sisters and I planned to make verenika for my mother while I was visiting.

I too have been questioned about mouthpieces.

Both times all I needed to do was show the item in question and explain what it was.

Much easier than the time we were told at check in that my 11 yo was on the “do not fly” list.

Gottfried Reiche · Veteran Member Joined: 27 Nov 2013 Posts: 184

I frequently travel, and always take a horn with me (usually multiple). I have never had a problem with valve oil getting through. I don't do anything special, just leave it in the pouch in my case where it normally sits.

I'll also add that it's pretty gross to insult someone's intelligence based upon the job they have. TSA workers are just people trying to make a living...cut them some slack.

ENINCA · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 2:29 pm Post subject:

Shifty · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 4:15 pm Post subject:

I put the valve oil in the see-through bag with other liquids. Why risk being challenged?

I throw my $130 pocket trumpet and practice mute in my carry-on.

TSA x-ray operator: Oh, is that a trumpet?
Me: Yup.
TSA: Do you play it?
Me: Yup.
TSA: You any good?
Me: No, I basically suck.
TSA: [chuckle]
_________________
Getzen Eterna 700, Eterna 800
Conn Connstellation 28A, Victor 80A, Connqueror (1903)
ACB Doubler Flugelhorn

nieuwguyski · Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2022 5:12 pm Post subject:

I do try to remember to put my valve oil in the plastic bag with the rest of my liquids, but I've forgotten a number of times and have never been called on the little bottle in the case with the instrument.

The only times I've had issues were with a folding music stand -- one week after 9/11 (the TSA supervisor walked over and said, "It's a music stand, let it through") -- and the time I forgot I had a Monette mouthpiece, in a mouthpiece case, in a little zippered pocket in my carry-on. Apparently the blank looked too much like a big round of ammo. Once I found it I had to explain its purpose, at which point I had to buzz through it. I don't think they were impressed with my tone.

I was impressed with the TSA agent at the Albuquerque Sunport, decades ago, who saw the outline of my Holton C-150 pocket cornet on his screen and declared, "Wow! I've never seen one of these *that* small!"
_________________
J. Notso Nieuwguyski

plankowner110 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 12 Jun 2003 Posts: 3620

I've flown several times in recent months with Al Cass oil in my Protec trumpet case. Never a problem going through TSA screening.
_________________
C. G. Conn 60B Super Connstellation
Getzen 800S Eterna cornet
Bach 5C (Jens Lindemann is right)
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26763

JayKosta · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2022 4:34 am Post subject:

Halflip · Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2022 7:12 am Post subject: