Airport scenario with your dolls

We basically know what can we bring and what not to bring when traveling, but then I thought about dolls since I'll be going in France this May 2013 and would like to bring my girls with me. Some would like to bring their dolls along for some beautiful scenery shots

 

Would they even let you leave your dolls for some reason?

 

How about when they scan your luggage and see some "mini human like" inside your bag xD Kindly share to us your airport experience with your dolls

 

 

Edited:

 

Oh one more question do you have them in the volks bag or perhaps an improvise doll carrier (backpack type)?

 

I have the volks bag with me though I wouldn't want to clash people with this huge long bag >.< so I was thinking there might be a tip or a specific bag that you use to put your dolls and dslr?

Edited February 26, 2013 by Guest

I've gone back and forth from the US to Europe many times with my dollies, resin and DD, and I've only been stopped once. They pulled me over, asked me to open my bag and as soon as they saw that it was a doll she happily told me that I could go on my way. She didn't even touch them. I was carrying 5 dolls in a doll bag when that happened.

 

I carry my dolls on instead of checking them usually, however, on my last time back because my bag was so heavy I checked one of my resin boys. He ended up completely alright.

 

They just get heavy lugging around airports.

We basically know what can we bring and what not to bring when traveling, but then I thought about dolls since I'll be going in France this May 2013 and would like to bring my girls with me. Some would like to bring their dolls along for some beautiful scenery shots

 

Would they even let you leave your dolls for some reason?

 

How about when they scan your luggage and see some "mini human like" inside your bag xD Kindly share to us your airport experience with your dolls

 

Actually had this dilemma a few months back but as it turns out I shouldn't have worried. Had to go go on a trip halfway around the world and I knew I wanted to bring Kaylus and Mari with me. There was no way they were getting checked in, so they went in my carry on luggage, along with my DSLR. Had no problems whatsoever, didn't even have to open the carry-on. They scanned them through just fine. Mind you I would have wanted to see what they looked liked in the x-rays but never got a chance to. Its usually just your laptop that they ask to be taken out to be scanned and they're mostly concerned with any liquid over 100mls like bottled water or pop. Same thing for when I came back to Canada. No issues, never had to take them out. So, no worries, just pack them up carefully and you should be fine.

I traveled with several dolls in and out of France several times without problem. They don't look human at all under an x-ray -- they're just vinyl and plastic, not flesh and blood and bone, and those two items look EXTREMELY different under x-ray (source: my mom's an x-ray tech and, when I was younger, I used to volunteer in the x-ray lab).

I've seen the dolls on the screen and they do look like little bodies laying there. It's actually rather creepy. Mine were the color orange when they went through which means an 'organic' which is why she pulled me over.

 

The type of xray they use is vastly different than an xray machine at a hospital or clinic.

I haven't had any problems. They did look at the screen a bit funny, but didn't stop me or look through it.

I've taken mine twice in my carryon. I have a hard sided set of luggage since I don't like strangers bashing my things around. When I left through the Pittsburgh airport once they asked me about my dolls, but more out of curiosity than alarm. Other than that, I haven't even had so much as a funny look. I guess if I had to I'd put them in checked luggage, but that's only because of it being hard sided anyway. I usually prefer to keep my expensive things close in case my checked stuff gets misplaced.

wow, am moving to canada later this year and i thought about how i was gonna "smuggle my girls" (plural cause i have a secret project in planning) My country is ver conservative to the point of close- mindedness to most things that are different then the social norm. It would be hard to explain the dolls if they ask, but i plan on taking them in a carry on, since the flight is 6-7 hours long >.> i will be bored out of my mind if i dont. I will moniter this post, so am mentally prepared

I'm happy to know that everyone had a safe flight with their dolls I'll be having them in my carry on luggage together with my dslr as well Makes me curious on how they would look like with the x-ray xD

Was nervous when I was taking Kihona to Korea. Going through San Antonio's airport, I was going to go through a security that my dad works at, so that means all his friends and co workers would see his son caring for a doll. And you know...the whole stigma of a guy with a doll nonsense....

 

Went pretty smooth. She was my carry on, the only thing I was worried about was that she couldn't fit on the overhead compartment, so I had her between my legs instead of risking on damaging her with my feet or the lady next to me stepping on her. Thankfully I had my button up shirt so I just covered up the bag with it, that way the flight attendant wouldn't tell me to put it away or give it to her. Aww heeeeellll noooooo =o

Depending on how you travel (if you avoid checking bags at all, for instance), it is also possible to take your doll as an "extra" carry-on if you pack her in a violin case. Airlines usually have a standing policy of allowing stringed instruments onboard in addition to your standard "backpack plus small suitcase". So if your girl looks like a violin, then she can be taken onboard with you even when carrying other items.

 

This only works for one DD-size doll, of course, since that's all that will fit in the Volks violin case.

I've brought dolls back from Japan to Australia on three separate occasions, and never had a problem with them. On my last trip back with Saber Extra in tow, I'm pretty sure she saved me from a more rigorous customs search; apparently single males returning alone from Japan are a target group for attempted weapon smuggling, and after repeated questions about ornamental weapons I was shuffled into one of the more rigorous baggage check lanes. When the X-Ray of Saber was pointed at with a terse "what's that", my explanation had me sent on my merry way leaving behind an obviously embarrassed customs officer .

 

Anyway, I tend to just carry them within my regular hand luggage suitcase, which aside from my laptop is usually fairly empty.

I bring a girl with me on a flight almost once a month now to meet up with Dollfie collecting friends everywhere

 

I've never had any trouble. The only thing I've ever been asked about was the Coolcat doll stand since the metal pieces look odd in the x-ray. I was even asked if it was a BBQ lighter! 0__o

I bring a girl with me on a flight almost once a month now to meet up with Dollfie collecting friends everywhere

 

I've never had any trouble. The only thing I've ever been asked about was the Coolcat doll stand since the metal pieces look odd in the x-ray. I was even asked if it was a BBQ lighter! 0__o

 

Ohh glad someone mentioned about the coolcat doll stand xD I was thinking on bringing it as well xD what happened then? did you show it to them? xD

would have been funny if you yelled bomb and dived away. would have risked being taken for interrogation but if you have 9 hours time for your next transfer i would totally do it

I fly alot for cons and always bring my girls with me, never had any issues. I pack all three of them in a standard volks bag. I used to work for TSA and you pretty much can tell what they are and nothing about them is prohibited. What I hear from other BJD owners is sometime if you're carrying few Resin dolls you'll get stopped. Resin dolls show up more solid on x-rays and when stacked it's hard to see through them. I've also never had issues with the size of the volks bag. I just lay my carry on sideways and put the doll bag in front of it.

First year when I got Mashiro, I brought her with me from Malaysia to the UK, and I was able to pack Mashiro in a Laptop bag IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY and brought her along with me on board like how I did so with all my domestic flight.

 

All my domestic flight is okay. No question from the officer, but then there is this one time when the officer asked me what it is, cause it definitely looks like a doll from the picture lol.

 

However on the same trip coming back from the UK, I have to carry Mashiro along with me on board LOL. Cause I carry back goodies from the UK so there's no more place for Mashiro. One air stewardass took courage with accompany of another air stewardess to ask me about her and remark that she's cute. Lol

 

Last year with Singapore's trip, now that I have a VOLKS bag, I am afraid it looks a bit....too big cause I was carrying my camera bag with me which already looks like a luggage. So I put Mashiro into the VOLKS bag, then into the luggage. Luggageception lulz.

 

Coming back also do the same. No problem.

Last year with Singapore's trip, now that I have a VOLKS bag, I am afraid it looks a bit....too big cause I was carrying my camera bag with me which already looks like a luggage. So I put Mashiro into the VOLKS bag, then into the luggage. Luggageception lulz.

 

Coming back also do the same. No problem.

 

That's because you have to bring your Hassy as carry-on ^^

 

Generally I have no issues bringing them around the place and not many questions were asked. Brought two with me to Malaysia in a Dollmore bag, and they just let me through. Only thing interesting was when I was heading back from Australia to Singapore with Lily, an Australian customs officer halted me while scanning my doll bag and asked her colleague to come along. They asked me to open up the bag, and upon seeing Lily, one of them went 'Oh so cute!' and then I was allowed through

... I've gotten into more trouble with security over a stuffed animal (Stitch!) than I have over dolls...

 

then again, this was just a domestic flight and pretty sure the woman on duty was just really bored & wanted to piss off random travelers

potential drug smuggler risk??

The American TSA is known for being ultra paranoid. They've even inspected my suitcases with figures in them because they didn't like the fact that there was a boxy thing and a bunch of empty space.

 

HOWEVER! They didn't care about Rin the one time we took her through LAX (Los Angeles International) in one of the Volks violin cases. Maybe since it's closest airport to Volks, TSA is used to it?

I bring a girl with me on a flight almost once a month now to meet up with Dollfie collecting friends everywhere

 

I've never had any trouble. The only thing I've ever been asked about was the Coolcat doll stand since the metal pieces look odd in the x-ray. I was even asked if it was a BBQ lighter! 0__o

 

Ohh glad someone mentioned about the coolcat doll stand xD I was thinking on bringing it as well xD what happened then? did you show it to them? xD

 

 

Nothing happened. I just showed it to them, explained it was a doll stand, and it was packed WITH a doll so they let me through. It was a pain in the ass opening up the bag since I had KOS-MOS so tightly wrapped. Now for casual meets I don't bother bringing a stand with me.

 

Although maybe I'll try out the flimsy Volks plastic DD stand at a meet this weekend and see how it holds up to travel.

i hope it doesnt crack on you

Was kind of curious how well dollfies travel through the airport. I'm considering of bringing mine with me in May when I go to Fanime.

I don't travel with dolls often, but have experienced no problems from airport security.