The Mile High Locksport Club is a club any Locksporter can join by picking a lock while in flight in an airplane. See full rules below.
See the current members list here.
Many of you might wonder if this is okay/legal to do on the plane, and the answer is that lock picks are allowed in carry on and checked luggage in both the EU and the US.
TSA has an actual bulletin specifically on the topic: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-s…
The EU falls under the general tools guidelines (part d): https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/air/aviation-security/info…
Join us on discord here: https://discord.gg/AKdMRPhVvh
Rules:
#1 Don’t be disrespectful. Prioritize the comfort of other passengers and TSA/Airport Security Personnel over your desire to bring lock picks on a plane. See the below section for advice on Interacting with Airport Security. Thanks again
#2 Research laws, regulations, and carrier rules prior to your trip. My information is not legal advice in anyway and is simply my understanding of the rules. You are responsible for researching the rules on your own. Some countries and states may have their own laws regarding lock picks, and some airlines may have their own rules as well. If in doubt, go without.
#3 take a picture or a video any picked lock while in flight. The picture or video needs to provide evidence that you are indeed in flight, such as a picture with the in-flight map, or a shot including the aircraft window where it can be seen that you are indeed in flight.
#4 inform me of your achievement by filling out the form below:
#5 (at least) the first 25 people to join the club will get a membership sticker completely free of charge – if you would like a sticker please send me your shipping information privately. You can find me on Reddit, Discord, and email found on the about tab of my YouTube channel.
Tips on dealing with TSA/Security:
#1 print out the reverent documents (like the TSA bulletin) and stick that in your bag with the picks. You likely will be stopped for secondary screening because lockpicks are an unusual metal tool not often seen by screeners. Having the documents near by should help if questions arise.
#2 Since secondary screening is very likely, you might consider making the job easier. If you seperate your lockpicks and locks and put them in their own bag (i.e. ziplock, etc) and send those through the scanner on their own this will avoid TSA/Security from having to dig through your bag.
#3 Leave extra time for security screening and the possibility of having to leave the security line and check a bag. Security on the ground has the final say – if they say no, it doesn’t matter what the policy is – their decision is final. You may ask for a supervisor if needed, but if the supervisor says no you need to comply and find another solution. The best option is to go back to check-in and put your picks in a checked piece of luggage. It’s likely this won’t be a problem. If even checked luggage isn’t allowed your last options are to store them in a storage locker at the airport (if they have long term storage lockers), mail your picks home (if the airport has a post office or postal drop off box), or to discard your picks in the trash. All of these options will take extra time (except throwing them out – maybe an option if you take 1 pick)… so plan as if you’ll need this extra time.
#4 Be cool with TSA/Security/Flight Attendants. They do a job that is under paid, dealing with people who are stressed out to the max with travel anxiety all day, trying to facilitate the worse part of the travel process using screening which we all know is bullshit – I could easily imagine that it’s hard to remain cordial at all times. I know that by bringing my lock picks I’m creating a situation that they might not have experience with and maybe have misconceptions about – my recommendation is to go in it with the mindset that you’re going to be the coolest dude they deal with that day … if they say “no” say “yeah I know it’s super unusual but I believe that it’s allowed, do you mind if we double check with a supervisor?” If they still say “no” then just accept it and go back and check a bag with your picks in it. No reason to ruin your day or their day over a hobby that’s supposed to be fun.
#5 We want to keep Locksport positive and make sure it’s reputation doesn’t get tarnished – being cool with security, and making sure other passengers feel comfortable will help this. If other passengers see what you are doing and seem like they are concerned be proactive in introducing them to Locksport and let them know we have no malice or I’ll intentions and show them that this is a fun hobby.
Jon Lock 