Traveling With The Hookah....

[evilded777]

Ok, I know there have been some threads about this, but my search fu is pathetically weak. Taking a short vacation at the end of February to visit a good friend, who needs a hookah fix (well, I know he'll need a well packed and managed hookah). Trying not to check any luggage, because the only airline that flies to where I am going charges for bags (wtf is with that?).

So I guess I have two options: carry on or ship to the hotel and back. I already have to ship birthday presents to the hotel, because I am not carrying them on the plane, but those I don't have to get back home.

Its not a long trip, so I don't need to bring a ton of shisha or coals, and he loves to smoke out of my QT.

Suggestions? Invest in a hard top carrying case? I already have a soft case, but that's not gonna transport the accessories and shisha too well. Quicklights in a carry on (probably bringing CH)?


I'm leery about shipping it... but I guess I can just do the label before hand...

[thehelios]

Take it on carry on. If you want to avoid all problems, take the hoses out and tell the scanner that you have a hookah in the bag. I say take the hoses out because they look like heavy gauge wires in a scanner connected to a cylindrical metal piece and are for sure grounds for a full bag check. I've had it happen to me once. Other than that you should be fine.

[rahl071]

demand that he pay for a QT!

nah, carry it on.

[ryno]

You should be able to carry it on, coals might be a little iffy though, esp QLs

[Sariél]

Quicklight coals will be confiscated if TSA is paying attention. I would ship everything there with the presents, and carry stuff back. Schedule an extra 15/20 minutes for the delay when they pull you aside, search you, and confiscate a couple bucks worth of coals and your lighter. With any luck, the search won't be TOO ...uhhhh... invasive.

[evilded777]

[quote name='rahl071' date='26 January 2010 - 06:39 PM' timestamp='1264549140' post='447870']
demand that he pay for a QT!

nah, carry it on.
[/quote]

I already bought him a QT for a graduation present, but he won't bring it to school for some reason!

[evilded777]

[quote name='Sariél' date='26 January 2010 - 07:25 PM' timestamp='1264551952' post='447875']
Quicklight coals will be confiscated if TSA is paying attention. I would ship everything there with the presents, and carry stuff back. Schedule an extra 15/20 minutes for the delay when they pull you aside, search you, and confiscate a couple bucks worth of coals and your lighter. With any luck, the search won't be TOO ...uhhhh... invasive.
[/quote]

hmmm... might be a good idea. I may have to plan ahead for packing to see how much will fit in my carry on.

Of course, I could always leave the QT with him for a couple of months (I usually smoke my KM's unless he is around) and have him bring it back when he comes home for the summer.

[Plex]

Quick Lights are like fireworks, checking them in or carrying them on will likely get them confiscated by the TSA. If you insist on QLs, then either ship them, place a new order and have them sent to your destination, or just check in some naturals. Aside from TSA powertripping, I'm guessing there wouldn't be any issues carrying naturals on board as they do not contain ignition compounds.. they are just chunks of carbon. You can carry-on lighters so long as they are not torch-type. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_multi_image_with_table_0099.shtm
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

[boludo]

Just ship enough coals and shisha for your trip with the presents. You should be able to travel with your hookah without a problem.

[evilded777]

[quote name='Plex' date='27 January 2010 - 12:08 AM' timestamp='1264568923' post='447923']
Quick Lights are like fireworks, checking them in or carrying them on will likely get them confiscated by the TSA. If you insist on QLs, then either ship them, place a new order and have them sent to your destination, or just check in some naturals. Aside from TSA powertripping, I'm guessing there wouldn't be any issues carrying naturals on board as they do not contain ignition compounds.. they are just chunks of carbon. You can carry-on lighters so long as they are not torch-type. [url="http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_multi_image_with_table_0099.shtm"]http://www.tsa.gov/t...table_0099.shtm[/url]
[url="http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm"]http://www.tsa.gov/t...ited-items.shtm[/url]
[/quote]

I'm not big on QL's just thinking about how I am gonna get the coals lit while I am in a hotel room. But since there's a kitchen, I can probably use the stove and bring the nats. Thanks for the warning.

[Plex]

[quote name='evilded777' date='27 January 2010 - 09:47 AM' timestamp='1264607260' post='447982']
[quote name='Plex' date='27 January 2010 - 12:08 AM' timestamp='1264568923' post='447923']
Quick Lights are like fireworks, checking them in or carrying them on will likely get them confiscated by the TSA. If you insist on QLs, then either ship them, place a new order and have them sent to your destination, or just check in some naturals. Aside from TSA powertripping, I'm guessing there wouldn't be any issues carrying naturals on board as they do not contain ignition compounds.. they are just chunks of carbon. You can carry-on lighters so long as they are not torch-type. [url="http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_multi_image_with_table_0099.shtm"]http://www.tsa.gov/t...table_0099.shtm[/url]
[url="http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm"]http://www.tsa.gov/t...ited-items.shtm[/url]
[/quote]

I'm not big on QL's just thinking about how I am gonna get the coals lit while I am in a hotel room. But since there's a kitchen, I can probably use the stove and bring the nats. Thanks for the warning.
[/quote]

You could use a single coil burner such as the famous $8-10 one from Walgreen's or use a portable butane stove. I prefer the butane stove as it is lightweight, compact and the butane canisters are easy to find, cheap and last for ~2 boxes each. I find the gas more convenient as it doesn't require any power and can light the coals significantly faster than the coil. If you go that route, make sure to get one with a piezo starter.

I have this one: http://www.kovea.com/product_view.php?brand=1&code=&pno=14

[Amn_sinclair]

i would agree with carrying it on. when going through the scanner i would say take the hoses out of the case and maybe even leave the case open... thinking about it right now... the shape of a qt. even without hoses is going to look a little interesting under exray so i would say leave the case open for well being... as far as shisha and coals i would say to mail what that to your friend with the gifts just for convience sake. QL will not make it on a plane and im sure naturals would not have any problem but id rather go the safe way then have them confiscated