I'm posting on the air travel forum as well - I've searched TSA website, American Airlines website, and spoken to AA representative as well. Can't seem to find the answer. I'm flying DFW to Santa Fe, NM on American Eagle with carryon only - what do you think about me bringing about 10 light bulbs?

why would you even do that? Just buy 'em when you get there.

I know it's none of my business but....why??

We have a vacation home in northern New Mexico. Last month I had some new light fixtures installed. Without checking before-hand, they utilize odd-shaped odd-wattage lightbulbs. I spent a day trekking around to 6 different hardware type /Walmart/Family Dollar stores looking for them in Taos to no avail. So...I bought them here at home and plan to take them back up there. If needed, I'll have them UPS'd to the house (that's how I get light fixtures and other items there). Truthfully, I wanted them with me, though, when I get there so as not to be in the dark! I know...long answer! Strange predicament, too!

Maybe carry 2 of them, UPS the rest so that you have a couple to carry. I wouldn't want to try to carry 10, even without the TSA question.

I can't find spatula on the TSA list either. They can't list all the stuff they don't care about. They aren't liquid or explosive. TSA doesn't care.

Carry them on or put them in your checked bag.

QED.

Well. first, they would qualify as sharp if broken - and TSA is still making you eat with plastic utensils so you don;t try to take over the plane with a butter knife. Second - unless you're sure you can gat them under the seat in front of you there's a decent chance your carry-on will have something else piled on it or squashed next to it - and you have broken glass all over your luggage.

Why not just pack well and ship them? Or order online and have delivered to where you need them?

I'll bet Home Depot will have them and you can buy them online and have them shipped so they will be there when you get there. Less hassle for you all around.

I do not see light bulbs listed as a "prohibited item" on the TSA list: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...-items.shtm#11

HTTY

I'd ship them - or order online and have them delivered as mentioned.

Probably not listed--who would think of it!! But I'd mail them.

This thread has followed a very typical Fodors direction. A seemingly straightforward question, and lots of tangential comments with few direct answers.

OP: Q: Can I bring this with me on the plane?
Poster 1: Why would you want to do that
Poster 2: Why not buy them there
Poster 3: Why not ship them
OP: clarification: I can't find them there, and want to have them with me when I arrive.
Poster 4: I bet if you just look a little harder you'll find them there.
Poster 5: Why not ship them
Poster 6: Who's on first.

Well I doubt that any of us KNOW whether or not she can bring light bulbs in her carry-on. It is a strange question. So some people were giving her alternatives. I like the suggestion that she bring a couple with her and ship the rest. That way, if they get through, she will have some light in her house but if they don't, at least she won't lose all ten of them.

Even IF they are allowed - it seems to me an individual TSA agent(s) could have other ideas. And breakage in your carry on is a real possibility. So even if you got them through security, they still might not make it to NM.

I agree that maybe take one or two (and be willing to give them up) just so you'd possibly have a couple when you first arrive. But order the rest on line and have them shipped.

And if we ONLY posted about things we knew about, this would be a really slow forum.

ipod_robbie, Your comment is priceless. HTTY

Also, I wonder why one would assume that the official TSA list of "prohibited items" omits light bulbs, which are also prohibited.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts on my lightbulb question!

As it turned out, I had them UPS'd to arrive while there. Ironically, some of them were the wrong size (another story) and I had to leave them there because there wasn't a UPS office to send them home!

Thanks for the up-date. Did you ask TSA if you could carry on light-bulbs?

How many Fodorites...

Ah, never mind

Dayenu, that was pretty darn clever.
made me laff...