Can I have a Geiger counter in my hand luggage?

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This Has Been Done Before

Setting aside my personal opinion on the reason motivating you to carry a Geiger counter on a plane, you'll be happy to know that this has been done before. Indeed people have carried Geiger counters in hand luggage, according to a quick google search. Some had problems going through security, arguably because the product was home-made and could vaguely be confused with an IED. Others mention they had no problem whatsoever, and even managed to take some measurements in-flight. There is even a Health Physics Society QA post on the topic stating:

Q: Is it permitted to fly with a Geiger counter (Gamma-Scout) in the cabin of a commercial aircraft? I am flying the polar route to Scotland from Seattle this summer and want to see what the readings will be. I have not found any restrictions so far in the United States or on the German or Scottish websites, but want to be sure.

A: There are no restrictions on hand-carrying of electronic equipment such as video cameras, calculators, laptops, or Geiger counters, as far as I know. I have carried Geiger counters in my hand-carried luggage for over 20 years. The Transportation Security Administration often wants these items separated for x-ray screening inspection. I would normally recommend that a probe-type GM (Geiger-Mueller) detector be disconnected and batteries be removed from the case. Since the Gamma-Scout has no probe, this cannot be done. Also, the Gamma-Scout has no ON/OFF switch, so it cannot be turned off. However, I would want to be sure that the sound speaker is turned off. Clicking Geiger counters tend to make people nervous.

General Guidelines and Common Sense

The general consensus across the linked webpages seems to be:

  1. Place the Geiger counter in your hand-luggage
  2. Remove it from your bag and have it scanned separately when going through security checks and x-rays
  3. Be prepared to answer all questions and remember to be friendly and polite
  4. Avoid taking the counter out during the flight since you'll most probably scare other passengers off. The fact that it's an extremely uncommon item to carry and use on a flight, coupled with the loud clicking sound it makes will inevitably cause people around you to be suspicious and/or scared.
  5. If you want to use the counter during the flight be discreet: turn off the clicking sound if possible, keep it in a closed bag so that others can't see it, be prepared to turn it off as soon as the people around you begin noticing what you are doing

All in all security theatre might be a theatre, but it's not a joke. In fact there are people paid to take these matters very seriously. These people also have the final word when it comes to deciding on whether you are allowed or not to take certain items through airport security and/or on a plane. You might be right, they might be wrong, but they decide. You don't. Personally I would avoid attempting to deliberately provoke a reaction in airport security staff, airline personnel, and fellow passengers just for kicks, regardless of how senseless you might think that their reaction to a somewhat harmless Geiger counter on a plane might be.

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