Hello Magic café folks!

I am travelling to Blackpool 2025, and I have pre-purchased a beautiful set of TCC linking rings that I can't wait to pick up. And then a question suddenly came to my mind... Would there be any issue carrying a linking rings set in the cabin/carry-on luggage when passing security at the airport?

Have any of you travelled with a linking rings set in the carry-on luggage and have you ever had any issue with it? I can't see why it would be a problem, but then again, security can be a bit unpredictable an we are talking about reasonably big metal rings ????

Thank you for your help!

Pedro

I have not experienced traveling with as set of linking rings in my carry-on bag , but I would say you should be prepared to perform a brief linking ring routine for the airport security people if they question you about "what are these large metal rings?". Also, if you have professional printed material such as photographs, brochures, business cards that identify you as a magician, it would be useful to place that printed material in your bag alongside the linking rings and any other magic items you may be carrying with you. (if you have a professional website with photos of yourself performing you could also show that to them on your phone, to prove that you are a performer and these items are props that you use in your performances) I would also try to get a sales receipt for the TCC Linking Rings which clearly identify the items as "theatrical magical apparatus" or something like that , so you can show the sales receipt.

David's advice is excellent! I've brought linking rings on the plane (cabin luggage) on nearly every flight I've flown for the past 40 years and almost always, without any questions.

I have had a lot of experience with travelling through airports with magic props....and I hate to disagree with the previous comments...especially as I know hey have been given in good faith... but airport secirity will only be interested in what possible risk any items in your carry on could potentially pose. They will not care what you use them for and have even less interest in your linking rink routine.

As such you are right to say that airport security officers can be unpredictable. What's fine for one maybe a problem for another. So just be aware you could have these props taken from or given an option to return landslide and check your bag in. Of course they might be fine with you taking these metal rings on board too... but be advised it is pretty much a crap shoot. Even contacting the airline or airport in advance will count for nothing.

So if you do decide to risk getting them on board in your carry on make sure you check in with enough time to be turned back from security to check your carry on in... and make sure you have a small bag to move any essentials into from your carry on should this happen.

In the mid 80's, I traveled to Italy with carry on luggage with the linking rings and an Abbott's flag staff along with other magic items. Going was fine from US, but returning was not. The linking rings were OK, but the flag staff would not go through. They claimed it could be used as a weapon, although we brought home bottles of wine which could also be used as weapons....go figure. I was lucky to give the flag staff to our cousin and he sent it through the mail back to me. You never know. Now I check all my magic.

I travel quite a bit with 12 inch Rings in carry on Luggage. Only Twice have I had them out showing
the customs, as Sealegs mentions correctly above it is just a crap shoot so be prepared...they want to know as a weapon what they could be for
They don't care what you use them for, I also disagree with Davids Advice also... who mentions hes never done it . I just tell them juggling rings and they put them back no worries, Be prepared to take them out and its 50/50 if this ever happens or if you want just put them in luggage hold.

Guys, a big thank you to all of you for all your advice. It means a lot! I'll be carrying with me a hardshell carry-on luggage, so I think I'll just come to the airport in good time, try to pass and, if it doesn't go, check in the luggage with the linking rings. Again, thank you so much!

I have been flagged for silicone billiard balls - the fact they were inside a box that read "bond lee magic" and "perfect manipulation balls" did seem to help. So yes, having any packaging, instructions, labels, etc. can help.

Just a tiny update on this post. Took the linking rings with me in the carry-on luggage with no issue whatsoever (and the rings are awesome!)

So I’ve used taking rings through airport security as part of my patter. I told the audience that once I told TSA, what the rings were, they sent them back through the x-ray machine to try to find the hole in them. But they still couldn’t find it, because there isn’t one, except for the one in the middle, of course. This gets a laugh and it really is a true story.