I have traveled many times with all my gear as carryon and my rods in soft socks in my hands. The only thing I have ever had questioned and take was a small pair of curved pliers I used to pinch barbs. Those were take because they were considered a "tool" regardless of their harmlessness. My forceps were not taken I now carry my barb pinchers and forceps in my toiletry kit in my bag. That is where I also put my Swiss knife. All the rest of my gear goes in a carryon. I never take a rod tube but if I did, it would be PVC or something besides metal.

Randy Knapp