Traveling with Costumes and Props: How to Make Sure They Arrive

My husband and I joined the ranks of Cosplay enthusiasts traveling around the nation (and globe) to various conventions. From ComicCon to Dragon*Con, Gamicon to Rustycon, gamers, sci-fi fans
The first thing to consider once you’ve selected the dozens of conventions you’ll be attending this year is how you’ll be traveling. Prop swords, aether guns, oversized platform shoes
By Car
If you are lucky enough to be within driving distance to the convention, even if it lengthens your trip by a couple of hours, you may want to take the easy road and load your props and costume accessories in the trunk of your car or a closed car-top carrier (no sense in frightening other drivers on the highway with your Keyblade collection propped up in the back seat). If you do decide that making the trek by car is going to be the easiest way to get your Knights Templar getup to the Con and you get pulled over for a traffic violation that you disclose any and all props in your car should the officer ask if you have any weapons so that there are no surprises if the officer catches a glimpse of the hilt of your sword or tip of your zombie-slashing chainsaw.
By Train
Another lucky option for Con-goers
By Bus
When traveling with a large group of Cosplayers, consider chartering a bus service to travel from your hometown to the Con. Chartering a bus is probably not an affordable option when, on your own, but if you are able to split the cost ten ways it may be the perfect solution for your group of traveling Serenity crew; prop pistols, Reaver swords and Vera included.
By Plane
If you simply must fly, then do so with caution. Rather than trying to find loopholes in TSA’s strict security guidelines, do your best to find a costume that doesn’t need a dozen prop-weapons to complete it. If you are going to cowboy and ninja it up, check your swords and prop pistols in your checked luggage and clearly mark them with tags or stickers that say “Props” in bold lettering. Remove the batteries, any high pressure air or CO2 sources before packing and, when possible, carry weapon props in the original packaging so they are easy to identify.
By Mail
If you’re nervous about taking your costume and props with you as you travel to the con, or simply don’t want to bother with the hassle of a security guard nervously eying your pocket-sized steam engine, check with the hotel that you will be staying at to find out if they will accept packages on your behalf. This is something I discovered many Cosplayers did during Dragon*Con 2010, and it made their lives much easier. Mailing the props and your costume to the hotel for them to hold until their arrival takes the guesswork out of packing. Just make sure that they provide an outgoing mail service for your packages as well.
The big secret to successfully traveling with costumes and props is to know before you go. Travel restrictions are constantly changing, so check these great travel resources to find out the latest information on what’s allowed and what’s not:
Amtrak
CharterBus America
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
United States Postal Service