We often get asked about air travel with rope- what is safe for carry on vs what should be checked? To get the best answer, we consulted the ultimate rope-toting road-warrior we know, Midori:
I'm a pervy road warrior who flies thousands of miles every year to teach, so I've developed a few strategies for traveling with ropes and toys. I love to travel but I don't love airport security.
Be Willing to Lose It.
Things just go missing. Rope can fall out of a broken zipper, get confiscated by TSA, or vanish along with your whole bag. When it comes down to it, rope is replaceable. It's heartbreaking, but keep your chin up and chalk it up as an offering to the travel gods.
Ship It Ahead
If at all possible, send your rope kit ahead to meet you at your destination. If you want to travel by carry-on only, this is your smartest option.
Remember to include a pre-paid label (and new packaging if needed), so you can just ship it back to yourself when it's time to go home. Why not include your safety shears, lube, safer-sex supplies, favorite vibes and aftercare chocolates while you're at it?
How You Book Your Flight Matters
Booking through a third party discount site, such as Travelocity or Expedia, might save you a few bucks, but there are disadvantages that may lead to delayed or permanently lost bags. These sites string together multiple airlines and booking codes to come up with the best price. Unfortunately this means when you lose a bag, the airlines can blame "the other guys"- the other airlines, the booking site, etc.
Airlines are generally more responsive to customers with tickets booked through their own site or agents. Joining frequent-flyer programs can help too. If they recognize you as a loyal customer, they will put more effort into locating and resolving your wayward bag of toys.
TSA Friendly Packing is Perv Friendly Packing
Assume that your bags, both carry-on and checked, will be searched. You don't want them pawing through your stuff, and they don't want to handle a strangers sex toys, so let's make this easier for everyone.
If it vibrates- remove the batteries and pack them separately. In the case of rechargeable toys either run down the charge before you leave (don't forget your power cords to recharge when you arrive) or activate the travel-lock feature if so equipped.
Pack similar items together, organized in easy to access and discreet containers. Sealable plastic bags, luggage organization cubes, the MonkSak Pak, or even the MonkSak Lite are ideal for this.
What Toys are OK to Travel With?
This depends a lot on where you are going, but ropes are generally OK in checked bags. Many impact and electrical toys may be classified as self defense or sporting items, which are prohibited on carry-on luggage.
TSA has a page on prohibited travel items, and whether these items are forbidden entirely, only in carry-on, or checked luggage. Laws vary from state-to-state and country to country- if you are crossing a national border, this becomes even more sensitive. Check the local laws for your destination before you travel.
No Visual Aids
If you are crossing any national borders, please think three times about having any printed or digital format of anything that might be considered even soft-core pornography. This can cause serious problems for you in many countries including confiscation, a permanent mark in your travel status, or even interrogation and long-term incarceration (not the fun kind!). Play it safe and just have none. If you need to access your porn on-the-go, cloud file storage can be your friend.
What Do I Do If They Ask About My Ass-Hook/Rope/Sex Toys? Can I Object or Protest If My Rope/Toys Are Taken?
Be proud! Seriously, don't be embarrassed. Tell them they are your personal pleasure toys, then wait. Smile. Breathe. Wait. Try not to let them see you sweat or squirm. Remember, they are looking for weapons of mass destruction, not weapons of ass destruction.
If the agent confiscates your items while you can object, I wouldn't recommend it. They could decide to hold you for a long interview. They don't care if you miss your flight.
Additional Resources:
Where To Find Midori:
- Midori's Rope Dojo
- Midori's Forte Femme
- Patreon
- On Twitter & Instagram as @PlanetMidori
- On Facebook as MidoriReallyMidori and RopeDojo
Photos courtesy of Midori.