I flew to Reno for a conference two years ago, not for the Open (which was in BR).   Since I was staying at the Hilton and they have an alley, I brought one ball and shoes in a soft 1-ball tote.  The security guy at the airport here asked me what was in the bag and I told him.  He wondered about the dark thing in the center of the ball and I explained that it was the weight block.  He took his little chemical scanner and waved it around the ball and was satisfied.  I put it in the overhead compartment on the plane and no one said anything to me.

The people at the Reno airport aren't so stupid.  When the tourney's in Reno, they see a hundred balls on every flight.  They said they didn't think the tournament was at the NBS this year and I told 'em it was just recreational while I was staying at the Hilton.

No one but the security guy at home showed any interest in me having a bowling ball.  I only had the one ball tote so it didn't take up a lot of space.  Try taking a two- or three-ball tote onto the plane and they might bitca.

SH

I was wondering the same thing.  I plan on taking 5 balls with me - a 3-ball roller with 2 balls and some clothes (trying to avoid the fee of $50 each way for overweight baggage, but that's another rant ;-) ), a small suitcase with 1 bowling ball in it, and a 2 ball tote I want to carry on.

I looked on the TSA website, and bowling balls were not listed under sporting equipment that you are not allowed to carry on, so I'm guessing it is OK.  Please post if you hear otherwise, I leave tomorrow.

I carried on my Target Zone last year in my backpack..  Will try again this year..  Leaving out of Detroit