Fountain pens and airplanes

[Skydiver]

My son is getting married next week. It's a destination wedding for which we need to take a flight to get to.

 

Should I just leave my fountain pens at home and not even risk them burping?

 

Should I just the bring the pens which I can load with a cartridge when I get to the destination, and then just empty the pen before the flight back?

 

Should I just bring my TWSBI Vac700r, but make sure not to use it while on the flight?

 

[AceNinja]

I think there's a lot of over thinking here. Flying with fountain pen is not that scary.  Just pick whatever pen you want, fill it full, and take it on flight.  Try to keep it nib up most of the time (key point), i think you'll be fine.

 

And pen with a shut-off valve like a Vac700r does makes it far less possible for any ink-cident.

[inkstainedruth]

I've flown with several pens and never had any issue -- I've done drawing on flights with no problems at all.  Those flights were on modern jets with pressure controlled cabins -- and included on, one trip, a Noodler's Konrad (I think I had Noodler's 54th Massachusetts in that pen at the time, because I wanted at least one ink that was pretty permanent).  Like AceNinja said, fill them up ahead of time -- or else keep them empty and bring refills.

The only near mishap was with a Lamy Safari -- but that was in the terminal, pre-flight.  I had been using it to fill out paperwork and had clipped it to my neckline.  But had to take it off and put it in a bin when I went through X-ray, and some other TSA agent put another bin on top of the one the Safari was in....  And then I kinda had to search through bins for it. 

I actually had MORE trouble on a flight back to Pittsburgh from Spokane, Washington, because I had stuff like facial cleanser (in a ziplock bag) in carry-on luggage (the containers were larger than 4 oz).  But I had brought some sample vials of ink to use as refills if needed, and they were in a ziplock bag in my purse, and TSA didn't bat an eye over them....  The facial cleanser and astringent, though?  That was a no-no....  (Of course I had done that in case the checked luggage didn't make the connecting flight in Denver, because I was going to be driving to DCSS in the morning....)

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Karmachanic]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/349261-travel-with-your-pens-what-do-you-carry/?hl=flying#entry4248110

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/336152-best-fountain-pen-for-air-travel/?hl=flying#entry4054140

 

 

[jchch1950]

Fill your pen and put it in a plastic bag for extra protection, Enjoy the wedding,

[RedPie]

I am flying with several fountain pens, full or even half filled and never had any issue. 

[penwarrior32]

No issue travelling with a FP.

My go to travel pen - namiki origami rabbit. Put it in a pen case if you are worried. 

Edited May 3, 2024 by penwarrior32

[Skydiver]

@Karmachanic: Thanks for the links. I tried searching before posting my question, but I must have put in the wrong keywords.

 

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, Skydiver said:

Thanks for the links.

 

Best way to search the forum is to use: site:fountainpennetwork.com, search-words in your search engine.

[pen_environmentalist]

Seconding what AceNinja said. The one time I've flown after getting into the hobby, I fully filled my pens before the flight and once on the plane I clipped them onto the seat back pocket in front of me (I had just two pens). I made sure to take them out and put them in my bag after landing. They were fine.

[MarcoA63]

I probably would not carry a vintage eye dropper but all of the other types yes 

[Surlyprof]

I’ve emptied my pens and carry them with two of these Pineider portable inkwells filled with whatever two colors I decide to use on a trip.  They seal well and are easy to use.  That said, I still carry them in a ziplock bag. 

[Skydiver]

Landed in the Dominican Republic on Sunday after two flights without any inks-idents from my TWSBI Vac700R. Just made sure to keep the nib up during most of the trip. Filled out the hotel registration forms without any burps or excessive ink pooling.