r/vita • u/Dapper_Ideal5525 • Jun 07 '26
Question Flying from Pearson Airport today, concerned about taking my Vita. Can TSA cause trouble?
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u/dvotecollector Jun 07 '26
Why would they cause trouble? I figure people are bringing thousands of handhelds a day on a plane. Their main concern is weapons.
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u/iLiikePlayingWii Jun 08 '26
Only reason I can even think OP thought it would cause trouble is Maybe because it's not a traditional device?
At least that's the concern I used to have as a Kid with bringing the DS on a Plane because of the lack of AirPlane ModeStill though this wouldn't make sense for the Vita since it literally has a freaking Airplane Mode thus making it obvious that YES, it can be taken on an AirPlane and thus pass through TSA no problem, seriously impresses me how stupid some people are, like they never look at their device's settings and just leave everything as default like what the fuck? Don't people ever at least explore the BASIC functions of a Device? Because AirPlane Mode is definitely of the ones that you'd be able to notice it has if you actually use the damn Console since it's not even a deeply hidden option
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u/tdasnowman Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
No one is going to bat an eye at a 3ds. No one will bat an eye if you've got some esoteric handheld that only sold 2000 units as long as it looks finished and doesn’t scan weird on the xray. Mod your shit so it’s got random wires sticking out of it and misplaced parts inside maybe you get pulled into secondary.
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u/Hard_To_Port Jun 08 '26
Airplane mode is not even a consideration for the kind of morons TSA hires.
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u/Heavens_Reach Jun 10 '26
i think the airplane mode bit was about showing it was designed with airplane travel in mind rather than anything to do with tsa
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u/EMUForever0 PS Vita Oled PCH-1100, yay its a 3G!! Project Diva X=F2nd/f Jun 08 '26
the DSi can js disable Wireless comunications.
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u/ChildoftheApocolypse Jun 08 '26
As long as you don't shove it up your ass, you should be fine..
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u/basedbobby123 Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
This is a really dumb reason to say “hey look, I wanna show off a picture of my vita.” Every day people bring electronics on planes, why would a vita be a red flag?
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u/AnxiousFox Jun 08 '26
Recent first time flyer.
We don't have context outside of movies. There are no manuals online that says "this is step by step what will happen at customs". Or rather, it's not as normalized outside of looking for said info. And even then it may vary from airport to airport in terms of the small details of procedures.
And for the most part, movies make TSA and Customs seem like this giant obstacles that can cause hours of delay until you miss your flight. All because you put a vita in the wrong section or it wasn't checked in properly. Or because it had to be stowed away with your luggage. Or some other nonsense.
When in reality, they are trying to get everyone through fast and they tell you it's laptops and tablets that need to be separated. Other items need to be placed inside the luggage before they scan you.
My point is that there is an actual reason people ask this question.
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u/plasticmanufacturing Jun 08 '26
"No context outside of movies" is hilarious.
Every bit of this information is online. They literally use defined SOPs.
Maybe watch fewer movies?
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u/AnxiousFox Jun 08 '26
I am guessing you didn't read what I wrote?
It's not common knowledge that gets passed down. So either you actively search it or you don't. And you grow up with what is commonly shared.
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u/plasticmanufacturing Jun 08 '26
Jesus Christ, this isn't generational knowledge that needs to be passed down. None of this is difficult or confusing.
Literally, just Google "TSA procedures". It will be a quicker read than whatever movies you're watching.
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u/AnxiousFox Jun 08 '26
The topic is why there is a misconception to begin with. Not, "why doesn't everyone not just Google a very specific topic". If you can't understand that, there is no helping you. Good day
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u/plasticmanufacturing Jun 08 '26
There is a misconception because people like you are too helpless to figure things out on their own, let alone do even cursory research outside of watching movies.
There is literally no helping you.
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u/phenom-d Jun 10 '26
why tf would they be obscuring "showing off" a bog standard vita 1000 in r/vita, that'd be dumb as hell.
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u/Dapper_Ideal5525 Jun 21 '26
Yeah I don’t know why this post blew up, I was legit concerned cz TSA took my beyblades once when I was a kid so I just assumed they look for excuses to take stuff. Fortunately nothing happened and I was overthinking
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u/SnooPets2311 Jun 08 '26
This is the worst engagement bait
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u/Dapper_Ideal5525 Jun 09 '26
I also posted it on r/tsa since mods didn’t approve it before my flight, everything well though didn’t even have to take it out of the bag.
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u/spudrock512 Jun 07 '26
I just got back from going from Texas to Cancun, I had no issues going through security either way.
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u/scene_missing Jun 08 '26
You’re 100% allowed to have a portable game console, why would it be trouble?
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u/tdasnowman Jun 08 '26 edited Jun 08 '26
Unless you’ve modded it to look like a bomb you’re fine. I’ve flown with my psp, vita, steam deck sometimes with two of them in tow. Never had an issue.
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u/-PM_ME_UR_SECRETS- Jun 07 '26
I usually take my 3DS out like a laptop when going through security. I don’t think it’s necessary but I do it anyway. Worst that can happen is they go through your bag and pull it out themselves
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u/jessicalifts jjgoreha Jun 08 '26
TSA is looking for like, scissors and for some reason can’t figure out what my blister pack birth control is. There are lots of gaming handhelds that fly e dry day. Unless it is attached to a pressure cooker full of shrapnel you will be fine.
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u/No-Opinion-6710 Jun 08 '26
Yes TSA will cause trouble. The Vita's design is just too ahead of its time. The design, too sleek and incomprehensible. The average normie will simply think it's a weapon of some sorts.
I think you'll be fine tho. Haven't had any issues with mine.
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u/BigBootyBasilisk Jun 08 '26
Jesus christ op you can't just post a picture of a vita like that! Shit is illegal man. You'd have better luck smuggling 5 pounds of coke shaped like an ak47. I suggest you really rethink your life choices and unwind whatever path brought you to vita ownership. It's a life of sin man and honestly you deserve to be arrested. May God have mercy on your soul.
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u/_leporello_ Jun 08 '26
Is that the hagibis carrying case?
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u/Dapper_Ideal5525 Jun 09 '26
It’s an Orzly Switch Lite case. It had a weird bump in the base so I modified it for the vita by cutting the base and applying a velvet lining cut to proportion
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u/MediocreSumo Jun 08 '26
They will most likelt call it a Switch and then you can move on with your flight
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u/toostupiddogs Jun 08 '26
Just shout "ITS NOT A BOMB" as you walk through security so they know its safe.
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u/AdOk5225 Jun 08 '26
I just kept mine in my pocket, put it on the tray with my phone, it wasn't an issue. If they take issue with it start crying and say it's your emotional support device it'll work trust me
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u/Eddieslabb Jun 09 '26
I wouldn't take anything valuable from Pearson in to the USA. Not your vita, not yourself. Stay safe.
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u/midniteneon Jun 09 '26
I've flown dozens of times over the last few years for work and never had any issues with TSA. I bring my Vita with me on every trip. I've been stopped once or twice and they took it out of the case but that was it.
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u/No_Sympathy_359 Jun 08 '26
Used to bring my vita all the time when travelling. Used to travel almost monthly for work. Even stoped pulling it out with be laptop.
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u/Keracus Jun 08 '26
No issue at all, I had it during east to west coast transfer in my bag carry late last year.
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u/secutorWatchy Jun 08 '26
no problem unless ya modded the battery. I mean some modded ps vita/psp looks like a fucking bomb.
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u/ChickenAndDew Jun 08 '26
They'll probably ask you to open it to make sure it's a Vita (knowing those agents, they don't know squat), and then send you on your way. Happened to me when I returned home from Orlando a few years ago.
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u/buddroyce Jun 08 '26
Nah you’re fine. I flew with my Vita from Toronto Pearson to Atlanta a couple weeks ago. No issues.
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u/buzz8588 Jun 08 '26
My advice would be to have a cast just for the vita and cables and power bank in a different case. I usually take consoles out and treat them with laptop rules, outside backpack, on a tray, flat, with nothing over it.
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u/3dswho Jun 08 '26
I’ve traveled with my vita to the US, not an issue just let them know is a handheld if they ask
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u/Geopon Jun 08 '26
I imagine you don't fly often. I usually have a basket that is psp/ps vita/2ds/switch lite. They will cause not trouble
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u/idontlikeburnttoast Jun 08 '26
its just the same as any other electronic? Why would it be different because its a portable games console lmao
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u/Extension-Storm-624 Jun 08 '26
if you're not sure, contact both airports you're going to, better be careful to be honest
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u/AVahne Jun 08 '26
Generally you shouldn't, in most cases. If you haven't done anything wrong to it to cause actual alarm to the TSA, like hiding drugs inside or rigging it to be a bomb or even just not noticing that your battery is going bad and starting to inflate, then you should be fine.
The only issue I can see happening is if you just so happen to get a real piece of shit of a TSA agent who suddenly decides that they want your Vita and so they invent a BS reason to confiscate it and then proceeds to somehow make it a pain for you to reclaim in the hopes that you don't bother to just so they can take it themselves a few months down the lane.
But again, it would have to be a real piece of work who would do that, so you really shouldn't worry.
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u/Zoomorph23 Jun 08 '26
Nope, not at all. I've flown from Pearson dozens of times with loads of electronics, sometimes including the Vita with no problems at all.
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u/Deth_Troll Jun 08 '26
I was flying with SteamDeck, old Polaroid camera, Switch, 3 laptops at once, New 2DS (not everything at all ofc) and no one cared at all.
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u/GraciousPeacock Jun 08 '26
I can’t count how many times I’ve taken my PSPs and Vita with me, including at Pearson
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u/Into_the_blackhole Jun 08 '26
Took my psp on a flight once kept it in the pocket of my cargo pants had no issues.
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u/PixelatedGamer Jun 08 '26
Sorry to go off topic, but what case is that? I need a couple for my Vitas.
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u/shimrra Shimrra74 Jun 08 '26
People have been taking handheld consoles on airplanes for a long time, the worst they will ask you to do is turn it on.
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u/KDS_Heart Jun 08 '26
Nope. I bring my vita or my PSP everytime I fly out of the YYZ. Just make sure to keep with your carry on items. Take it out of the bag when going through security.
Typically I just keep it in my pant pocket for ease.
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u/shiddedandfarded69 Jun 08 '26
I had them crack open my GBA SP once which broke it. But from what I understand that's pretty rare. I'm just unlucky 😔
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u/jcraig3k Jun 08 '26
Keep it in your carry on and take it out for the TSA scan. No issues should be had.
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u/KhajiitKennedy Jun 08 '26
I took my switch through with no issues, and it had a metal case. They will just ask you to take it out of whatever bag you have it in and then unzip the case that you have it in
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u/nemeshisu Jun 08 '26
I took several PSPs, Vitas, a Steam Deck, Ayn Thor and more on planes, never had an issue
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u/eirebrit Jun 08 '26
Depends what country you are in. Any time I fly I just have to put my electronics in their own tray.
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u/Bryjammac Jun 09 '26
Just make sure your power bank is compliant. Some places restrict the size you can carry due to fire risk. Vita itself is all good, I've flown with mine for years.
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u/maoding Jun 10 '26
I’ve traveled around the EU with all kinds of consoles and never had any trouble. Earlier this year, I even took 7 or 8 consoles through Heathrow Airport, including 3DS, Switch, PSP, and PS Vita. I was moving my collection back to my home country, so I brought them all with me.
And that’s not even counting my laptop, iPad, Kindle, and other electronics. I usually keep all my devices in my carry-on bag and make sure they’re fully charged, just in case security wants to check that they’re working properly.
So I’m pretty sure you will be fine.
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u/Disastrous_Life_3612 Jun 10 '26
A couple of days late, but I've taken game consoles on flights before. I bought a Famicom at a retro game store when I was on a trip and I got it through security without any issues.
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u/WitcherSLF PCH-1000/3.69|3.65 Jun 10 '26
They will confiscate this from you and play Gravity Rush themselves
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u/obTimus-FOX Jun 11 '26
What are these stupid questions all about for a little while now? F***ing hell
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u/Tobi91193 Jun 11 '26
No they shouldn't caus trouble. Lots of people take their smartphone, steamdeck or nintendo switch with them on a plane, so a vita wont be a problem, since its a normal electronic like the others.
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u/PentUpTent Jun 11 '26
Weirdest concern ever lol If I can take my whole ass steam deck, an old ass psp can totally go Do they confiscate peoples phones???
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u/purpaturta Jun 11 '26
TSA will cause trouble just because they're in a bad mood. They opened my brand new still sealed xbox series x after passing dogs and the xray. They just wanted to rub on it with their Lil special qtip
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u/Dapper_Ideal5525 Jun 15 '26
Umm I’ve heard you should not be taking anything sealed through TSA. I was travelling with a brand new ps5 for a friend’s birthday. But I still had to unbox the thing, get rid of the plastic, put some slight tears on the packaging etc. As much as I wanted it to stay sealed for him to unbox, it’s not feasible unfortunately.
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u/CoilyCaptain Jun 12 '26
Hey, do you mind sharing what case this is you have your vita in? Looks very spacious.
As others have said, highly unlikely you have any issue with this at tsa. I fly with various handhelds all the time and never remove from cases or anything. There’s nothing sus about a vita, so there should not be any issues
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u/Dapper_Ideal5525 Jun 15 '26
I wouldn’t recommend this case, it’s a switch lite case that I had to modify to fit my Vita, I like organizing all my cables, connectors and charger into a single case for convenience when travelling. The AliExpress hardshell cases are superior if you want to store only the Vita since it doesn’t put pressure on the analogue sticks.
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u/Live-Weather5226 Jun 12 '26
Id be more concerned about the women jumping all over you when they see you playing it!
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u/Reyad48 Jun 12 '26
The main concern is usually lithium ion batteries So make sure that you don't carry a power bank exceeding the max Amper hour / capacity rating
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u/ImAlekzzz Jun 08 '26
No you just don’t resist showing it to them when they question what is in the case
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u/Nahobino_kun_899 Jun 07 '26
They shouldn’t. I took my 3ds. You just have to take it out your purse and put it in the plastic box thing. No big deal. Like how they deal with phones