Had an odd experience during a short layover in Narita Airport yesterday, flying between Hawaii and Indonesia. Had my Spark in my carry-on, as would seem the most logical. Had to go through an x-ray security check transiting between terminals and they saw my drone and I was firmly but politely informed that it couldn't be allowed in carry-on luggage. Not sure if just for the specific airport, all airports in the area, or Japan in general. The security agent's english wasn't perfect so at the time I couldn't get a reason for such a restriction. Their solution was for us to check out through immigration, go to the ticketing counter, check my drone in as checked luggage (with insufficient packing to protect it!) then head back in through immigration/customs/security, with the looming deadline of the next flight leaving in less than an hour. They literally just wanted to wave me on my way to sort it out on my own.
Long story short, one of the agents took pity on me and physically walked me through the entire airport, allowing me to bypass most of the lines and helping to translate with various gate and ticketing agents. If she hadn't done that I would have missed my flight by probably 45 minutes, throwing the following flight and final destination in question. With her help I got to my gate with minutes to spare.
Even crazier, the drone actually arrived! Not sure it's entirely intact, I flew a short flight last night and the gimbal seemed a little jittery. Last minute checked luggage that they had to transition through two more flights on two different airlines. If anyone is wondering what case I was using, it was this one:
Amazon.com: Deyard Waterproof Case Portable Hand Bag Carrying Suitcase for DJI Spark Drone: Toys & Games
You can imagine how absurd that little thing looked popping out onto the luggage turnstile at my final destination.
Once I finally arrived and got settled I went Googling, and eventually found that it is a temporary restriction (about 7 weeks) for the Imperial Enthronement Ceremony. Exactly what in the **** that ceremony has to do with drones being allowed in carry-on luggage through that airport escapes me entirely. I can't really find very much information about it at all, other than here:
Notice for Customers Using Narita Airport between 19 Oct (Sat) and 26 Oct (Sat)
Also can't believe how poorly advertised the restriction was. During my entire airport tour there was exactly one poster I could find referencing the restriction, without explanation (at least no explanation in English).
https://www.narita-airport.jp/files/drone_poster.pdf
Plus, even though was flying on Japan Airlines to that airport there was nothing posted at my departure airport, and nothing mentioned by the staff as the drone went through my carry-on for that first flight.
On the one hand I can't say I'm totally blameless, I might have been able to uncover this obscure restriction with enough prior research, though maybe not.
Thoughts?
Long story short, one of the agents took pity on me and physically walked me through the entire airport, allowing me to bypass most of the lines and helping to translate with various gate and ticketing agents. If she hadn't done that I would have missed my flight by probably 45 minutes, throwing the following flight and final destination in question. With her help I got to my gate with minutes to spare.
Even crazier, the drone actually arrived! Not sure it's entirely intact, I flew a short flight last night and the gimbal seemed a little jittery. Last minute checked luggage that they had to transition through two more flights on two different airlines. If anyone is wondering what case I was using, it was this one:
Amazon.com: Deyard Waterproof Case Portable Hand Bag Carrying Suitcase for DJI Spark Drone: Toys & Games
You can imagine how absurd that little thing looked popping out onto the luggage turnstile at my final destination.
Once I finally arrived and got settled I went Googling, and eventually found that it is a temporary restriction (about 7 weeks) for the Imperial Enthronement Ceremony. Exactly what in the **** that ceremony has to do with drones being allowed in carry-on luggage through that airport escapes me entirely. I can't really find very much information about it at all, other than here:
Notice for Customers Using Narita Airport between 19 Oct (Sat) and 26 Oct (Sat)
Also can't believe how poorly advertised the restriction was. During my entire airport tour there was exactly one poster I could find referencing the restriction, without explanation (at least no explanation in English).
https://www.narita-airport.jp/files/drone_poster.pdf
Plus, even though was flying on Japan Airlines to that airport there was nothing posted at my departure airport, and nothing mentioned by the staff as the drone went through my carry-on for that first flight.
On the one hand I can't say I'm totally blameless, I might have been able to uncover this obscure restriction with enough prior research, though maybe not.
Thoughts?
