I have a high D PVC whistle that lives in my shoulder bag and has accompanied me on maybe 30 domestic flights over the last few years. No one at security has even asked for a closer look. (Bit of a let-down, really.)
Well I wrote to the TSA here in the states and to my surprise got an actual reply:
"Thank you for contacting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Contact Center.
Musical instruments are permitted in the cabin of an aircraft or in checked baggage; however, please check with your airline to determine carry-on and checked baggage size restrictions.
We encourage you to be present when your instruments are being screened in checked baggage and recommend that you add at least 30 minutes to the airlines’ recommended arrival window when traveling with instruments.
Please contact your airline to determine the best way to travel with your instrument. While larger instruments are generally placed in checked baggage, some airlines may permit you to purchase a ticket for the musical instrument so that it may be taken into the cabin of the aircraft.
For travel tips and information about our screening procedures and what you can bring, please visit www.tsa.gov/travel.
TSA Contact Center"
So it seem like there’s no problem. I’ll bring this email with me though
So glad someone else remembers Group W!
A bit over a year ago I traveled through Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, and Dublin airports with flutes (more coming back than going, but that’s another story). Same experience as others, generally no issues, one agent checked the aluminum low whistle leaving Dublin, very pleasant about it all. Frankly, if they have any doubt about tubes in luggage, I would hope they would check.
I live in Bozeman, Montana, and often travel domestically with several flutes carried separately, and I use fishing rod cases to carry them. Fly fishing is such a big deal here, no agent ever looks twice at those cases.
Airlines detail their cabin hand-luggage policy (including criteria and dimensions for musical instruments) on their websites.
What I usually do is print the relevant section out and have it on me in case there’s misinformation or an issue at the check-in. I must add that I’ve never had a problem in regard to carrying into the cabin in hand luggage.