Why would you leave the battery in the drill? I would be too afraid of the drill being jarred around and suddenly the trigger is pressed. Then all he’ll breaks loose with the TSA... “WTH is that, a bomb in that suit case?”

KOT

Last time I flew with tools, we went to the job without any power tools. While there, we bought a 12v Milwaukee drill that included a charger, two batteries and a case. When we arrived at the airport, we had to check the whole set, including the lithium batteries.

I've only flown with tools a couple hundred times.
The last time was 2 years ago.

Carry on laptop-no issue.
Power tools in checked baggage...no issues but I had an "inspected" card inside my bag every time.

I did tape over my batteries contacts just in case.

If you feel kinda worried. Take a picture of all the tools and stuff that will be in the checked bag. Print it out and place the photo inside the bag. So if it’s ever inspected, the person will know that you have evidence of what exactly is in there.

Same goes with the carry on just in case.

KOT

Really?
I dare you to try to go to TSA and claim that something is missing.
What proof do you have that picture accurately reflects what you actually had in the bag, or for that matter that you didn't remove item after arrival.

TSA is evil. If you don't like them or trust them, either don't fly or accept the consequences.

Speaking of TSA -- If you air freight something that goes on regular airlines, do they have the right to inspect it as well?

In my corporate world, we sometimes do NFO (Next Flight Out) for hard down tools for which we don't have replacement items in stock.
Some of those parts are sensitive to light, dust, etc.
All the parts that are on NFO system fly regular commercial flights (we can track progress from shipper to our reception).
Is there a system where parts skip inspection or get special treatments to avoid opening them?
Some parts may be prototypes or industry secrets.
I do know that some really sensitive parts will have chaperone. Someone will buy 2 seats next to each other and chaperone takes one and the box takes the other seat.

This is a great idea. The photo will stop them in their tracks.

I have been doing this when i sell things on ebay. A photo of the UPS or FEDEX employee packing the items up. I should get a Polaroid and include the photo with the item.