This may be a silly question, but this is the first time I'll be flying commercial for a CAP event with my service dress in tow.
I'll have it in a suit bag I'd like to carry on. Will TSA make a stink about the metal insignia? Should I keep it all off?
Having flown a bit for CAP, I have a personal preference.
1) I don't think TSA will give you a hard time about your doodads. I'm pretty sure even the pointy bois space force/cyber wings from the AF won't get a 2nd glance.
2) I would be careful about what you leave on your service dress, because a suit bag will get compressed, etc. You don't want your ribbons getting tweaked, or your observer badge (if you have one) getting bent. Don't laugh, I've seen it.
Personally, I fly with one of those "insignia keeper" cases (Example: https://www.ebay.com/itm/373851244418) plus a small clear "parts case" for all the clutch backs, backers, cufflinks, tie tacks, etc. At the very least, I take off all my regular badges, ribbons and nametag. (collar insignia is a pain to get right, so I leave it on)
I've been on the prowl for a used Tumi tri-fold carry on garment bag in my (admittedly very cheap) price range. I would very much like to be able to take a CAP trip without looking like I'm deploying to Afghanistan for a year.
(Last time I traveled for CAP, I threw caution to the wind and checked both my garment bag and my carry on. It was a non-stop to DC, I figured the chances that my bags would go astray, and I'd be left with the clothes on my back, were pretty low. This time, I was right. But I'd really rather travel with just one carryon, if I could)
Quote from: NIN on April 22, 2022, 01:40:44 AMHaving flown a bit for CAP, I have a personal preference.
Thanks, NIN! Great info!!
Quote from: NIN on April 22, 2022, 01:40:44 AMHaving flown a bit for CAP, I have a personal preference.
Thanks...not my question, but I'm still grateful! I've occasionally needed, and may do in the future, to travel with my son's uniform when he leaves it with us during deployments and I now travel occasionally for my church.....and I seem to have an equal amount of "bits and pieces" for the vestments!
As a carryon item, the flight crew will happily take your garment bag from you and hang it in the galley closet upfront.
TSA "shouldn't" give you any static, though they did once try to confiscate a Medal of Honor from a retried General because it had "pointy edges".
Quote from: GroundHawg on April 22, 2022, 12:11:53 PMTSA "shouldn't" give you any static, though they did once try to confiscate a Medal of Honor from a retried General because it had "pointy edges".
That was Gen Foss and it happened in Feb 2002, so not too long after the TSA was created and not too long after 9/11. I know this comment was made in jest, but figured before anything was misconstrued.
I have traveled with CAP service back when I used to wear it more often. I never had an issue with it as a carry-on. When I get on the plane, I ask the flight attendant if I can stow it in the closet. My biggest issue is remembering that I have it there. Going through TSA with it, never really caused any issue. Just put it flat (but folded in half) on the belt and let it go through. Although I was once stopped by Pentagon security because I had too much fruit salad for their detectors.
This is a reason why I started wearing the corporate far more often. Easier to travel with. Just take the items off and wear the jacket as a standard civilian blazer. No one knows the difference and I fit everything into a single carry-on bag.
Quote from: GroundHawg on April 22, 2022, 12:11:53 PMAs a carryon item, the flight crew will happily take your garment bag from you and hang it in the galley closet upfront.
That's not entirely accurate.
The stowage closet is a priority for crew bags before any special handling items (passenger canes, etc.). They may elect not to take it, and may need to reject depending on how much may already be stored up there.
Be careful going in with the expectation that you can just stow your stuff up front. And please don't play the "I'm a volunteer service member; take my stuff" card when asking.
If you're nice to the Flight Attendants they'll probably be nice to you.
However, remember you're probably not the only person who wants to hang up their bag, so be flexible.
Quote from: PHall on April 22, 2022, 08:26:19 PMIf you're nice to the Flight Attendants they'll probably be nice to you.
However, remember you're probably not the only person who wants to hang up their bag, so be flexible.
Part of my boarding gear is a bag of cookies from the cookie place on the concourse. It is shameless bribery, and they appreciate the gesture.
Quote from: SarDragon on April 23, 2022, 05:17:05 AMQuote from: PHall on April 22, 2022, 08:26:19 PMIf you're nice to the Flight Attendants they'll probably be nice to you.
However, remember you're probably not the only person who wants to hang up their bag, so be flexible.
Part of my boarding gear is a bag of cookies from the cookie place on the concourse. It is shameless bribery, and they appreciate the gesture.
This.
Tipping/gifting flight attendants is not prohibited by any airline that I am aware of.
I have a friend who generally flies economy class. He gives flight attendants a $5 or $10 Starbucks gift card when he has his first interaction with them from his seat. He ends up getting practically First Class level attention as a result, free drinks well in excess of the value of the gift card, snacks, and free meals.
I have to fly First Class due to neck/back injuries and don't drink when flying, but I do the same thing anyway based on his example. Guess who in First Class gets the most attention and never runs out of Diet Coke? LOL
It is amazing what a token gift will do. What comes around, goes around.
I have been told by a variety of FAs, on several different airlines, that they are not supposed to accept tips. However, a sack of cookies to share is welcomed, and doesn't single out one specific person.
Quote from: TheSkyHornet on April 22, 2022, 07:28:47 PMQuote from: GroundHawg on April 22, 2022, 12:11:53 PMAs a carryon item, the flight crew will happily take your garment bag from you and hang it in the galley closet upfront.
That's not entirely accurate.
The stowage closet is a priority for crew bags before any special handling items (passenger canes, etc.). They may elect not to take it, and may need to reject depending on how much may already be stored up there.
Be careful going in with the expectation that you can just stow your stuff up front. And please don't play the "I'm a volunteer service member; take my stuff" card when asking.
Don't forget to have them Thank You For Your Service too LOL
The trip is over and I'm back home — all went well, to and fro, both with TSA and the airlines. Each TSA agent I approached took the uniform and scanned it on a separate machine with great care; each FA greeting incoming passengers immediately asked if I'd like to hang it up.
All is well. Thanks for the input everyone!